ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXAre there any experienced/trained production designers on here?
7 years, 9 months ago - Sean McConville
I am making a low-budget feature film and seeking advice re the pros and cons of building a set versus finding a real location. As a filmmaker I'm aware of the creative pros re shooting in sound stages but looking for advice on doability of building a set/s in comparison to a real location. Sean McConville.
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7 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
Not a production designer but an LP...
Depends how many pages are in the location - you can get a LOT more shot in studio than location, but have build costs associated. The value of being able to control the light, punch a hole in the wall for a camera angle, not have toilet, traffic and kitchen noise, finding parking spaces, having to go offsite for meals, and being able to leave cameras and lights rigged overnight saves you HOURS a day! Really!
Even on shorts it can be a boon - I helped a friend with a short which had several locations we built up in the disused arm of a factory building - dressed it as multiple sets, and it meant being able to move quickly from one to the next. Got a lot more time on camera and so a great result in a weekend compared with hauling kit between locations.
Response from 7 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW
7 years, 9 months ago - Sean McConville
Hi Paddy, thanks for answering. Yes, as I suspected, and a good advice. In an ideal world I'd build the exterior facade of the house I'd like (from side and front angles), then build the interior sets in an abandoned warehouse (or indy film friendly studio). This is what they did on Dog Soldiers. About 50-60 pages of my script takes place inside the house in 3-4 locations (bedroom, living-room, study, bathroom). Anyone know a large abandoned warehouse that could work at indy film friendly rates?
Response from 7 years, 9 months ago - Sean McConville SHOW
7 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
Studios can be quite cheap, especially away from London. With 60pp in 4 sets I'd totally hit that hard for 6-10 days shooting in studio and that buys you a lot of time for exteriors and location establishers (plus build and break time, obviously)
Obviously I don't know the ext facades you need, but as they're EXT you might just be able to dress a couple of sides of a backlot/warehouse/farm building instead of requiring a full build. Might be worth considering.
Response from 7 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW
7 years, 9 months ago - Sean McConville
Yes, good idea and worth considering as I look around. Thanks again for the answer. If you hear of/know of an available warehouse that would be indy friendlly let me know and I can check it out/inquire (I'm based in Berlin but go to London regularly).
Response from 7 years, 9 months ago - Sean McConville SHOW
7 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
Honestly, Berlin may be a better bet than London - far smaller population so may be less pressure on space.
Response from 7 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW
7 years, 9 months ago - Sean McConville
Yep, Berlin's less expensive for sure. Thanks for your thoughts, Paddy. Sean
Response from 7 years, 9 months ago - Sean McConville SHOW