Your next filming location - just ask

A good location can simply be where you happen to be. It all depends on what kind of movie you are working on. That’s quite obvious of course, but there are many cases where it is necessary to arrange a specific location to go with the production.

The short list of movie types are:

Your holiday movie. You will still need to choose the location if the finished result is going to be good enough to enter into a competition. In this case, it is a matter of being observant. For no matter how interesting the region is, the resulting epic can just as easily finish up either a great and interesting story or utterly boring. I have seen so many videos or films in the past of very boring holiday movies shot in the most interesting locations. So don’t miss the opportunity to take shots of that expert craftsman or artist both in long shot and plenty of close-ups. Sorry, I know I am repeating again but it's so important to have the variety of viewpoint at the editing stage.

A documentary. Well, even your holiday video can become an interesting documentary, as many are. Practically the same rules apply, the main difference of course is that you will most likely be told what to cover, and possibly even be provided with a script to work from, if the video is for a company or organisation. In my experience it has always been either that or you are left to make suggestions and get their approval. In the past I have helped with several promotion films for dairies and other companies. What the firm wanted to be depicted was listed. For instance, how the bottles were washed and how they were filled etc. But how it was to be filmed was left to the photographer. The firm then assessed the rushes.

Producing a story film. In this case you will have produced a script. This kind of film is without a doubt the most difficult of all pursuits. To start with, it has to be a good story with a beginning and an ending. If the idea is good, but you can’t think of a good ending, it is best not to start it, because it is likely to fail. I have experienced this myself. No matter how people joke about your story having a message, it is
 
 
 

certainly not a joke. You have to have something to say or it will bore the audience to tears, not win marks and be unlikely to get shown in a competition.

A good location. Even if you have a good script and a willing crew, there is the all important problem of finding and getting permission to use a suitable location. We have one member who lives in part of a large country house. He has offered it as a possible filming location. This could well be a very welcome opportunity and just what you are looking for, if you have a story that is crying out for such a location. When I was involved in the making of my story, “The Medallion,” later produced by The Centre Film Unit and renamed “The Golden Medallion.” We had the good fortune to have a member who’s brother owned a large country house complete with a stable block and other buildings. This was a perfect location but it was in Scotland, so all the crew and equipment had to go up there for a week taking part of their annual holidays. By a great stroke of luck, the weather was perfect and we all had a wonderful but busy time.

But apart from having the luck to know someone who can provide a suitable location. It is surprising how magic the mention of the words, “we are making a movie” seems to be. I have filmed in factories, shops, pubs and libraries after hours, places that it would not be possible to get permission to enter without those words. Then there were various churches and many private houses and gardens, also the last place you would expect, the prison Wormwood Scrubs, not as an inmate I hasten to add. So all you have to do is ask and usually permission will be given. To ask permission is always essential. On one occasion I was told off for filming in Hampton Court Palace grounds. I quite innocently thought it would not be necessary as it was open to the public, but this is not so. This must be the case with all Royal parks as well. Once I was told not to take still photographs in Windsor Great Park using a tripod, Ho Ho. So there are some strange rules and it is a good idea to check. As you may need permission even to use a tripod.

Always notify the local police when you plan to film in a public road or pathway. I have never been refused so far. As long as you do not cause an obstruction all will be well.
                     Jon Woolmer