London is one of the world’s cities that is a focal point for film and television. It has a number of famous landmarks that are easily recognisable and is at the heart of some of the world’s most famous stories. Therefore, it is a popular filming location for both national and international production teams. However, due to its sheer size and busyness, the city does have its challenges when it comes to filming. To help you get started, here are some of our top tips to make your time filming in London easier:
Gaining Permission to Film
When deciding on your filming locations, it is important to check with the venue or borough council as to whether you need a filming permit for that particular location. If you do not obtain the correct permits, you may be left with a heavy fine that can eat into your budget so make sure that you sort this out in advance.
Budget Effectively
There are several costs associated with filming in London. While using the streets to film may be free, there are a number of fees that you may be required to pay depending on where and when you are filming. It is, therefore, important to budget these into your costs. These fees may include a charge to close down roads and manage traffic, waste disposal or costs of using buildings as filming locations. The local council in the London Borough that you are filming in will be able to give you a personal breakdown of the costs for filming, so check with them ahead of your production. There will be some areas such as outside embassies and government buildings where you will not be able to film or at least will need to ask for permission in advance so organize this in advance for stress-free filming.
Factor in Travel Time
London is known for its bad traffic, so it is important to factor this into your travel time. Even when using public transport, there are often delays – especially during rush hour. To reduce the impact of this, try filming in locations that are quieter, or outside of rush hour to ensure that your production stays on schedule.
Organise Insurance
If you are an international company looking to film in the city, you will need to adhere to guidelines set out by the government – including having public liability insurance. This should be obtained before filming starts to ensure you are covered for any unexpected accidents. On top of this, to film in London you are also required to obtain media insurance and complete many health and safety risk assessments to ensure that everyone involved in the process is safe and protected.
Check the Guidelines
There is a Code of Practice that has been published for all companies looking to film in London and it is important to stick to these rules. This includes having signs informing members of the public that you are filming to try and protect their privacy and obtaining permission from buildings. It is important to read these guidelines in advance to get up to speed on the expectations you need to meet.
The Take Away
London is a bustling, magical city that has a special feel unlike many others around the world, and therefore, it is no wonder that it is such a popular filming location. Due to its environment, however, it can be difficult to film in. Simply ensure that you are following the local boroughs filming guidelines, and try and consult them often to ensure your project is on track and ready to succeed.
