Written by on Feb 15, 2012. Posted in On Location

Kenneth Branagh feature plans autumn 2012 location filming on Guernsey

Kenneth Branagh’s next feature as director plans to shoot on location on Guernsey, but filming has been delayed until autumn 2012. It will be based on best-selling novel The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, but will be called simply Guernsey.

Guernsey, a British Crown dependency off the French Normandy coast, has only limited filmmaking infrastructure and no formal incentives in place. As a result the island has had to fight to host part of the shoot, despite the story being set there and Branagh and his team scouting locations on four separate occasions since December 2011.

I know Fox have been impressed by the level of support and commitment that has been shown locally and as a Department we are grateful for the energy that has been put into this joined-up approach.

Deputy Carla McNulty Bauer, Guernsey

Deputy Carla McNulty Bauer is Minister for Commerce and Employment on Guernsey: “In order to get us to this point there has been a significant amount of effort put in from public sector departments, private enterprise and individuals.

“I know Fox have been impressed by the level of support and commitment that has been shown locally and as a Department we are grateful for the energy that has been put into this joined-up approach.”

Guernsey is under pressure to cut the cost of location filming on the island, with the studio quick to point out that filming on the UK mainland would be much cheaper. It seems that Guernsey businesses have got together to offer the best deals they can. The filming delay is reportedly due to scheduling issues with the main talent, which includes Kate Winslet as well as Branagh himself.