Filming in London Made Easy: The Overlooked Details
Intro
Filming in London is a popular option for many production companies. Not only does it offer up iconic backdrops, and vibrant city life, but it is also home to a wealth of creative and technical talent. However, filming in London also presents unique logistical challenges.
Lambda Films is a video production company in London. We’ve been producing a range of corporate videos and commercials for over 15 years, and have extensive experience filming in the big city. In an earlier blog post, we covered off the necessities for commercial production in London. However, we quickly realised that it was the small stuff that can seriously impact a successful production.
So, in this post, we’re exploring the often overlooked parts of the production that could cause major headaches when filming in London. This post is a collection of our mistakes over the 15 years; we made them, so you don’t have to!
1. Parking In London
Parking in London is difficult. Let alone parking for multiple production vehicles. If you’re lucky then your filming location can offer you on-site parking spaces, but if not, it’s always worth enquiring about long-term use of loading bays. However, this is rarely granted. More often than not, you’ll find your team have to unload at the location and park elsewhere. In that instance, we can recommend a few services that can help facilitate that.
Solutions:
NCP Car Parks is the National Car Park management company, operating multi-storeys and off-road parking around the UK. However, you can use their site or app to find, and pre-book, parking spaces in advance, so you know your space is secured on the day.
Just Park is a handy little app that allows private landowners and members of the public to monetise their parking spaces. Just park can be handy for finding unique parking spaces close to your filming location.
2. London Location Permissions
It has to be remembered that every square inch of a City like London is private land. This requires permission and permits to film almost everywhere. If you’re producing corporate videos, then you’ll likely have permission for your client’s facilities and spaces, but as soon as you step outside, it’s a different world. To set-up your production gear you’ll first need to secure permission and be in possession of a permit.
Different areas in London are managed by various councils, private entities, or public organisations, each with its own set of rules and requirements.
Solutions:
Film London is the leading authority on filming and production in London. The organisation offers a wealth of support across many aspects of media production. Film London has a helpful page on securing location permissions and permits for your film project.
Film Fixer is a great company if you want to outsource the permissions and permits side of the shoot. Film Fixer can also offer support in location scouting too.
3. Mobile Catering
While London may have more restaurants and eateries than you can shake a stick at, the traditional process of taking the crew out to lunch is rarely as straightforward. Film & video shoots cannot be tamed. They will run over, and there will be irregularities with the schedule. Plus, I’d like to see you book a table for 40…
So, the best solution is to hire a mobile catering company that understands the complexities of a video production. These companies can either rock up in their own food truck, and serve directly from there, or deliver pre-arranged meals to your location. It’s your choice. However, do consider that while the catering company will supply the food, you will still need to arrange a suitable dining space for everyone. In our experience, booking a boardroom in a nearby hotel has proven an excellent option.
Solutions:
Pop Top is a quick and easy win, providing a database of local food vendors for you to explore.
Kerb is a great choice if you need a selection of food trucks, each serving a variety of high-quality street foods.
The Red Hot Box Company is one of the options that delivered pre-arranged meals to your location. As mentioned before, ensure you have a space for them to deliver to!
4. Power & Generators
Film & video shoots can be power-hungry affairs, and running an extension cable from the nearest cafe just isn’t a viable option. You’ll need mobile power in the form of generators to help keep all your tech alive and kicking.
Solutions:
Power Electrics is a nationwide supplier of generators to a wide variety of industries; film and Tv included.
Shoot Blue is a traditional supplier of equipment for production companies, so with that in mind, check out our post for additional recommendations for London rental companies.
5. Hiring Public Transport
Almost every London film production makes use of the City’s iconic transport system; black cabs, double decker buses or the Tube. The same goes for a handful of corporate and commercial productions too. You have to make preparations early if you want these to feature in your production, especially the London Underground.
Solutions:
Transport For London (TFL) is the organisational body that governs the London Underground. Contact TFL to secure permissions to film in and around the London Tube.
The London Bus Company provides a wide range of iconic red London buses for your productions. These can vary across time periods and styles. If you need the modern London Bus then contact the TFL Press Office to secure your permission.
London Black Cab Transfers is a regular taxi service that has a sideline in providing vehicles for Film & TV production.
6. Health & Safety
Risk Assessments come as standard on film shoots these days, and hopefully, even for most corporate and commercial productions. However, even if you think your production is manageable, there’s just no accounting for unexpected issues on the day. While there are plenty of medical specialists for film & TV, it’s important to consider services for your smaller productions too.
Solutions:
St John Ambulance is a national First Aid charity, and can be called upon to supply volunteers and support during your productions. Even if it’s something small, it can give cast and crew peace of mind.
7. Portable Wi-Fi
While it may feel that access to the internet is as natural as the air we breathe, weak spots do exist, even in a modern metropolis like London. Suddenly, nothing can derail a production quicker than a lack of access to production documents or communication between team members. Creating your own local wifi hotspot can not only overcome these issues, but also aid in reliable live streaming. or sending data to your DIT.
Solutions:
Event Wifi provides reliable and fast internet hotspots for film, TV & advertising productions.
Mobile Wifi Routers are the simple, technical solution for smaller productions. These units can be hired, often from production rental houses, and supply enough bandwidth to keep your production on track.
8. Portable Restrooms
Now does this really need any further explanation? You might be able to rely on the kindness of nearby businesses, but don’t count on it. Providing your own solution will ensure that there are no little accidents on the day.
Solutions:
Gigloo are one of the most experienced providers of on-site sanitation facilities. Toilets, to be blunt.
Fortis Hire are an alternative company offering the same thing, toilets. Pick whichever one you fancy…
9. Bicycle Couriers
Bicycle couriers offer a quick and eco-friendly solution for transporting small items such as documents, hard drives or production gear across congested city areas. They’re like runners, but faster. If your production is split across units, or needs urgent and reliable data transfer then consider engaging a bicycle courier on your next shoot.
Solutions:
Addison Lee are one of the UK’s most reliable and respected courier service, and so you can always trust their bicycle courier services will live up to the same standard.
Pedal Me is the more independent option for two-wheeled courier services in London.
10. Local Runners
Local runners with knowledge of the city can handle errands, assist with on-set tasks, and ensure efficient operations, saving valuable time and resources. Never underestimate what another paid of willing hands can bring to a production – no matter how small.
Solutions:
Just Runners are our favourite supplier of runners, having only had positive experiences and wonderful people from them. They also champion diversity in film, TV and advertising production, so it’s a cause well worth supporting.
11. Location Marshalls
These are the unsung heroes of many a Lambda Films production. Marshalls are a great addition to any public filming, helping to control the flow of passers-by and minimising the disruption to shots. When undertaking your location recce, take note of how busy an area is and consider employing a team of marshalls to help control the space on the day – trust us, it’s well worth the additional expense.
Solutions:
Without a dedicated resource for location Marshalls, ensure you employ additional runners and entry-level talent to perform these duties on the day.
And, finally…
That’s our rundown of the most overlooked services and considerations that are integral for a successful London production. This list is the product of many years in production, and will help you avoid the same pitfalls we encountered.
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