Location

Finding the right location is fundamental, especially as it contributes enormously at the final aesthetic of the film. I was very against shooting in a location which the class might recognise as I felt that this would have brought the level of our film down. This is one problem I find when watching University films is that many of the scenes are often shot in student homes, on campus or even in town, which being in bath is especially a problem as it is so unique looking with the colour of the Georgian stone.

So finding an independent location for our film for me was paramount. As we had decided to shoot our film in a police station, it meant that we would be moving away from places that fellow classmates might recognise, unless they have a criminal history. For the initial scene of the main character in the cell, our options were narrowed to actually finding a Police station. Gus, Myles and Elspeth started to pursue local Police stations, which included Bath and the local villages. We were waiting for about a week for a response from Bath station at giving their verdict as to whether we could film there. I have a cousin who is a armed response police officer in Bournemouth, although this is not ideal for commuting, it was a possible option at filming in an official station, and away from Bath. Luckily the station in Bath got back to us with a final answer, and although it was a disaster at the time, it helped us find our actual location. The police suggested that there were a few old stations in Bath that were no longer used, but still had cells. This opened up another branch of possibilities, as it was not something that we initially considered. Finding an old police station meant that we would not be under the same time constraints, as we would face filming in a current one. It also gave us the option of organizing lighting a dolly tracking.

Elspeth contacted the Bristol film office and asked them if they knew of any locations in Bristol where there were some old cells. Luckily they informed her of a location that which was now an art gallery, which had also been used as a location in various television productions like Being Human.

This was perfect, as they were so relaxed with dates, times and above all…everything. Elspeth, Gus and Myles visited the location, and judging by their excitement, it was ideal. Here are some of the pictures that they took on the initial visit.

This meant that we could go all out with lighting and time ect. This was also the bulk of our location. There where some other locations that needed securing, but this was only for the stills. Elspeth contacted the Bath film Office and got permission cleared for the stills planned for the Saturday at the Park. Mark organized the locations for the stills at the Bath Spa University campus, including the SU and the Library office. Although this went against what I wanted, we could manipulate the still images in a manner that would disguise that they were taken on the Uni campus.