I recently received an offer to produce 36 episodes of 20 minutes each about the history and contemporary life of the UK. The content was to cover everything from geological features to the most trendy bars and night clubs of today. I was asked for a budget, which I duly put together.
I knew the risk I was taking when I decided to change the name and nature of my thriving production company, Tidal Wave Productions, in 2009 and set up Green Shoot Films, an eco-friendly film company.
[slideshow id=194]The prospect of filming in Africa generally sends Production Managers into paroxysms of dread and Co-ordinators into deep despair, but I love it and consider it the best place to film in the world.
[slideshow id=187]International co-production The Three Musketeers, directed by Paul WS Anderson, has opened in cinemas around the world. Two thirds of the 3D adaptation, were shot on original locations in Bavaria: Bamberg, Würzburg, Pommersfelden, Burghausen, Herrenchiemsee, Schleißheim and Munich.
The main goal of locations management is to leave a location in a better state than you find it. The priorities are crew, location, truck, set and shot safety. With all the crew, equipment, logistics and general chaos associated with on-location filming this is a huge challenge.
[slideshow id=174]Sometimes working on location can be challenging enough, even without the animals. However, most of the Location Managers with whom I've worked over the years know the score. They know what's important from the animal handler's/wrangler's perspective and just as importantly from the animals' perspective.
Malta went through a thriving year of filming with June becoming the busiest month in the island’s history. Crews, suppliers and service providers were stretched beyond their limits as Paramount’s World War Z “clashed” on the tiny island with the long running UK TV series Sinbad, Norway’s large feature Kon Tiki, Sweden’s Volvo commercial and some other works.
[slideshow id=168]I have been a location scout and manager in Hawaii for the past 30 years. I have lived on Kaua'i since 1975 and I think it's one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Film support and infrastructure is non-existant, but the island of Oahu's crew and equipment is nearby.