With the perfect mix of culture and creativity, video production London can be the perfect paradise. Shooting films & dramas in this beautiful city can be a fantastic experience if you know what you’re doing.
Here are some of the best tips to follow regarding filming scenes for TV and film productions set in London.
9 Tips for a successful shoot in London
1. Be aware of the video production permit process
If it is your first time shooting a video project in London, please note that video permits are required for almost every shoot. Even some of the best films set in London have had to abide by these regulations. It’s vital to have all these things sorted out before filming begins!
For example:
- If you want to use explosives, firearms, or uniformed police officers in your shooting, you will need the permission of the local Police.
- If you want to film on public roads, you must contact Highway Dept. and Police.
- If there is aerial filming required, you should ask permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
2. Prepare for all weather conditions
Most video productions in London take place outdoors, and as such, you’ll need to be prepared for rain. Having a backup plan is always good if the video shoot can’t go ahead due to bad weather – this includes being aware of indoor locations that could substitute your goals.
3. Get the right Tools/Equipments
Getting the right video production equipment is essential for a successful video shoot. Don’t forget that you’d want to have everything from cameras to small memory cards. It’s unnecessary to carry all the stuff with you when travelling to London because you can get all sorts of equipment in London on rent.
4. Manage Your Time
You need to be aware of how long certain things take and schedule everything beforehand. This is a busy city so you should expect traffic for some hours. Travelling from one location to another would take a lot of time, which is why you need to plan your video shoot route before the shoot day.
5. Set Your Budget
Planning your video shoot budget is essential if you want to make sure that everything goes smoothly. You need to be aware of what’s included in the total cost and how much each expense adds up to – this includes transportation costs, location permits, equipment expenses, etc.
Also, keep some reserve money in the budget because sometimes things may not go as planned.
6. Get Public Liability Insurance Certificate
Public Liability Insurance is essential for video shoots in London. Every production, big or small, needs it to cover them while they’re working on location. Public liability insurance covers against third-party claims for injury/damage etc., that may occur during your shoot day.
Usually, you’d need a £2 Million cover which can be increased to £5 Million for some locations. You can read more in detail here.
7. Keep all the paperwork in order
Another important video production tip for shooting in London is to keep all the paperwork (permits, contracts, releases) neatly organized. You don’t want any of these documents missing when you’re ready to film!
8. Get a local guide
Having a local guide with you is always good. You need to be aware of all the locations in London where you can film. This person would be able to provide helpful information about locations and rules. If this guy has a filming background, he can help you get crew and equipment.
9. Always have a Plan B
Last but not least, it’s essential to always have a Plan B. You don’t want any delay or other problems that may prevent the shoot from going ahead as planned – this is why having an alternative plan ready can save your day! When we say Plan B, it’s for everything:
- You may not get the permit to shoot at your desired location
- You may not reach your location on time due to traffic
- Bad weather can force you to delay the shooting
- You may not get your required equipment
- Someone from the crew is unavailable
Make sure you have extra crew members, extra equipment, and alternate shoot locations available to make sure the shoot goes ahead as planned!
London is one of the busiest cities in the UK, so you need to be ready for anything. As long as you are aware of all these tips and advice, there’s no reason you can’t have successful video production in London!
Also Read: What Businesses Can Learn From The Entertainment World
