Surrey Border Film & Video Makers
Shooting period drama and potential slip-ups
Indoors
- Light switches and fittings.
- Doors and door furniture,
fireplaces, window of the same type and period as
those seen on the outside of the house! - Paintings, wallpaper, furniture, decor etc
including cushions and upholstery.
- Electricity meters, central heating pipes and radiators, water taps etc.
Outdoors
- Aeroplanes. Watch those vapour trails!
- Pylons, telegraph poles, Street lights and any other electrical protuberances in the scene.
- Road signs and markings, manhole covers, kerbs (Wot? No double yellow lines?) and even drain grids.
- Television aerials, dishes, modern chimneys and telephone lines. Modern windows, doorways and gates.
- In the gardens even the types of flower could be wrong.
- Film equipment, cables, bags - even the cameraman’s bike!
Period drama - hiding more modern features
When filming a period piece, extra care must be taken before shooting a scene. This may sound obvious, but many a slip is seen, not only in amateur films, but also in professional productions.
The director must be able to rely on a capable art director and a knowledgeable props chaser to research and collect scenery, objects etc of the correct period.
Outdoor metal piping or railings with concrete posts I have disguised with painted cardboard to look like old wood. Modern paths or tarmac areas can be covered with straw and/or earth. Wrought iron made of wood, smoothed and painted matt black and polished with black boot polish looks very real and effective. I have used this method to make kitchen fire fittings, complicated spits etc.
In My Experience I have disguised windows where the multiple panes had been replaced by large single panes. The answer was to prepare strips of card the same width as the window bars, painted as shadowed moulding on one side and stuck into place with double-sided sticky tape on the back.
John and his wife Joan joined Surrey Borders circa 1991, bringing a strong new talent and expertise to the club that resulted in an enthusiasm for making club films and entering competitions as never before. John was a great writer and his stories became great films, winning Gold awards for The Gold Medallion and Paula, and others. John was energetic, painting for art exhibitions, making props for the next project, writing his book and gleaning data to eventually finalise the book of his family tree, and last but not least, operating the “confounded” computer that held it all together. He was a very talented fun loving man, who will always be remembered by the club and his family.
Who are we in this film/movie/video club? We make films, videos and movies and meet on the first Friday of the month to answer members questions and to discuss ongoing club projects. Well known film makers, judges and film professionals are often our speakers for the evening. We welcome visitors and new members interested in film and video, and there is no need to own digital cameras or camcorders and no need for previous experience, as we happily provide mentors for beginners. Surrey Border meetings start at 7:45pm and end just after 10:00pm with a refreshment break at around 9:00pm. Visitors and new members are warmly welcomed to the monthly meetings which are on the first Friday of each month (and the first visit is free). Our meetings are held in our new contemporary hall in St Joan's Centre which is in the grounds of St Joan's church in Tilford Road, near the station in Farnham. The hall has a large car park and is within easy reach of Guildford, Farnborough, Fleet, Bordon etc. In Surrey and Hampshire. Read more about us here.
Our interests We have a good mix of interests amongst members include script writing, acting, directing, technical and artistic and all agree that ideas and skills are more important than equipment as shown by there being fewer cameras and camcorders than members. Some get more enjoyment in viewing and discussing the films produced by others and just being part of the community. There are those who wouldn't wish to ever hold a camera or camcorder while some like to help in filming but don't own their own camcorder. Of course there are always those with the latest high definition wizz bang up to date cameras, camcorders, microphones and gadgets and the lovely thing is that they are always happy to demonstrate both equipment and techniques to others. For anyone thinking of buying a camera or camcorder advice is always on hand. We have almost equal numbers of members with PC and Mac computers. We regularly put on courses, tutorials and training sessions in the light of the current interests and needs of members. Individuals with particular problems typically have one to one help.
Site updated 07 September 2010 . To comment on this website email: