It was a full house at the Film and TV location conference at the offices of Stroud District Council last week.
Over fifty delegates turned up to hear speakers talk about what services production crews are looking for – and what it takes to become a location for the stars. Local award winning company Snow Business covered an Ebley Mill entrance – and the car of the council’s chief executive – in snow, sick showing how anywhere can become an instant ‘winter wonderland’ for the make believe world of film.
Geoff Wheeler, leader of Stroud District Council said: “It’s not just about the glamour of what you see on the silver screen. Production crews need to be housed, fed and watered. They often need a whole range of other services, from, for instance, equestrian stables through to the special effects provided by Snow Business.”
Filming can be worth up to £35,000 per day to the area, with production companies spending money local facilities, booking hotels, taxis and dining out.
Keynote speaker Roland Brown, Estate Manager for Berkeley Castle – where Wolf Hall was recently filmed for the BBC – said:
“Make sure you are easy to work with – and they will come back. Often productions companies will contact you at the last minute.”
Caroline Lowsley-Williams from Chavenage House, where Poldark was recently filmed, is a great advocate of having film crews on her site, and not just for financial reasons.
Her motto is: “Be prepared for anything. As long as you enjoy it – then go for it – just so long as you are not worried about having up to 100 people in one go in your house.”
Stroud District Council signed a Film Friendly Charter with Creative England – a not for profit organisation that provides practical support for film and TV production companies, including a national database of location owners and businesses keen to work behind the scenes.
Ellie Cook from Creative England said: “It was a fantastic event and great to hear local success stories. We are thrilled to be working with Stroud District Council and look forward to hearing from local people and businesses.”
Delegate Cheryl Bodenham from Barton End Equestrian Centre said: “It was really good and great to know how we could get involved and what it entails – both as a location – and also as a service.”
For more details about how to sign up to the Creative England national location and services data – base go to http://www.creativeengland.co.uk/ or call 0844 824 6042