ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

7 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Hiya, Firstly I can't help you - I don't live in London in a big flat I'm afraid!

I just thought you may appreciate a production note - this is likely a really difficult location to get. If you have any set dressing or continuity requirements whatsoever it's gone overnight as people still want to be able to live in their homes. The alternative is to "buy out" the flat overnight - but this is very expensive and requires hotels etc., and that's for probably 3(+) people in a 3 bedroom flat. If three people are out of the house for all those hours a day, unable to come home, will £30 each be enough of an incentive? There's a fair chance one or more of them will have a lower paid local job with a non 9-5 shift. You'll also need to consider bills, BTW, and the parking requirements.

I'm doom-mongering just because it's going to be complex and a right pain to manage on top of the usual shoot complications. I would suggest considering a couple of options. Firstly, shorten your shoot. 10 days is a LONG time to be in a location. Does your project really demand that much filming? Could you write tighter, or rehearse and first block offsite so you can get in and out faster. A day or two might be easier to get than a fortnight.

The other suggestion, if you need 10 days to shoot, is to get the college to let you use a room or two over Christmas and dress it as a set - then you spend your grand on set dressing and paint. In fact you'll get a LOT more shooting time this way as you can leave lights set up, props will be where you left them overnight, you're not scared of breakages, you'll have free parking, not have to move the kit so much, it'll be quieter meaning less ADR, toilet noise and kitchen noise won't be an issue, you can control the light, and in just about every way a better shoot. You can get *so* much more done in studio - one shoot we were getting 1-3 minutes a day on locations, but 10' a day in studio.

Anyway, good luck with your hunt, but it's a big ask and you may not get what you want, which is why allowing for plan B might be helpful

7 years, 9 months ago - Alexandre Guedes de Sousa

Thanks so much for your suggestions, Paddy! This really needs to be shot before the 10th December. I was more aiming at landlords who could eventually be interested in a short let agreement. And yes, you're right: it is a huge challenge...

7 years, 9 months ago - Marlom Tander

Bribe some students.

Offer to pay the cost of putting them up in the nice AiRBnB / serviced apartment while you take over their house.

7 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Even if you set up in a commercial estate for a studio for a weekend or arrange for a serviced office you can dress for a week, I still urge you to think in terms of exclusive access to the set/location. It'll save you so much time and so many tears!

You may find that domestic landlords will have let their properties (especially 3 bedroom in London) just due to the huge demand in the city.

Good luck, though!

7 years, 9 months ago - Marlom Tander

One minor thought, you people in London who always want to shoot in/near London. There is an entire country beyond the M25. And in much of that country things are both cheaper and with higher availability.

7 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Marlom is spot on with this, BTW ;-). Nothing in London is free because everyone keeps asking for freebies, but get out into the sticks and there are some real deals to do.