(27) Setting Planning
How Might Setting Be Used Effectively?
Setting is a term that refers to the world, time and geographical location in which a film is set. It is very broad in what defines it: in terms of time, it can include time of day, era, season, etc. In terms of location, it can be as specific as a room or the weather to the country or even an event, such as a party. Setting also includes the social environment, too. For example, the culture or society. The setting can be identified through elements of mise-en-scѐne. For example, the way characters are dressed may indicate the time period or culture, the set design may establish the specific location or a number of characters onscreen may suggest what sort of event or situation is occurring and so on. Setting may also be used to help construct the mise-en-scѐne of a film, too. It establishes the context of the story through time, location and social environment. Setting contributes to almost half of what the audience assimilates from a scene, other than characters, editing and other minor aspects. The setting may alter the audience's reading of the film too, for example, elements of the setting may establish certain things regarding the plot etc. It may also set a mood, for example, the stormy weather will create tension.
What Settings Do You Want To Use In Your Coursework?
Setting is something I think is really important; it can carry meaning or really enhance the narrative or message of the film. In my film, I want to use setting meaningfully. I don't want to use both the physical setting as well as the constructed world in the film merely for aesthetic purposes.
I have divided setting into two sections: physical setting and the fictional world. The physical setting is the specific things that comprise what will be seen on screen, for example, the weather, location, time of day and so on. The fictional world refers to the context of the film; what cultural realm and social/political climate it's based in.
Fictional World/Context
My film will be set in a completely fictional world unrelated to ours. By this, I don't mean the planet. I mean the culture. By placing the narrative in a faraway society it allows the audience to perceive matters that they can't in their own world. It allows the audience to reflect on the nature of humans from a distant and objective platform without being coaxed into a bias or damaged reading by the context of their own society. It has the same effect as classical mythology. Not only does it give a distant perspective, however, it also universalises the message of the tale. By setting the story in a modern or familiar world, the teaching only applies to that moment in history. By choosing to place the characters in an unfamiliar world, the message transcends modern teachings because it becomes timeless and universal: it can be applied to any culture, any society and any time period. I have chosen to use this technique because my film carries a hidden message that I think would be undermined if placed in a modern society - its themes are too topical to have any real impact.
In this fictional world that I have formed, I have removed any sign of modern civilisation. This includes buildings and architectural structures, jobs, technology and other signs of modern lifestyle. This is to stress the difference between the fictional world and the real world, which plays on the points made previously. This leaves me a blank canvas: an empty world for my characters to roam.
In terms of the context of the film, it is set among two tribes: White Cloaks and the Riverfolk. The political climate is very tense between these tribes which is the basis for the film's plot.
Physical Setting
The physical setting is important for bringing the film to life and inferring meaning. In terms of locations, I have chosen to set it in scenic/rural locations. This emphasises the empty, faraway world I want my film to be set. Different settings will be used to indicate a distance between the two tribes.
Riverfolk
The Riverfolk have a settlement close to the river, hence their name. The reason I have chosen to incorporate a river is that river separates land. One of the key themes of my film is division, therefore the river plays on the idea of division and references the social climate of the film. Furthermore, its used as a visual marker for the differences between the two tribes to help the audience understand what's going on.
White Cloaks
The White Cloaks will be situated in a more open or dry environment. The reason for this is to help establish the difference between the two tribes. Furthermore, places associated with outskirts (in this case, the river) are considered less developed than mainland areas. I want to play with this idea, as the White Cloaks believe they are the epitome of civilisation and superior to the tribe that lives on the outskirts. Though, this is a misconception.
Time
Season
Given the circumstances of my film, I am restricted to colder months (autumn and winter). This restricts what seasons I can feature in my film. However, this isn't necessarily a problem, as the seasons aren't particularly relevant to my film (though it is inconvenient in terms of being outside in the cold). This being said, autumnal months may be effective (if they're obviously identifiable), as they represent change - this creates the theme of hope of change, which is relevant to my film's themes. Otherwise, the season isn't necessarily important to my film.
Time of Day
Time of day is important depending on the scene. For example, daytime is used predominantly to express a sense of normality. When daylight is present, no change is drastically made regarding the plot - the environment in which the protagonist is in remains static (more or less). However, one
The penultimate scene requires nighttime (lit by a fire), this characterises the moment the character has changed the environment, as nighttime suggests a new day will come. This is the moment the Preacher is killed, therefore the nighttime reflects the death of the Preacher and therefore the death of the world the characters were familiar with.
In terms of practical convenience, filming in mornings and evenings is the best time of day to avoid the high sun and direct sunlight, which undoubtedly ruins footage as it creates harsh shadows. This will ensure high-quality footage, however, it is inconvenient to film in mornings and then wait around all day until the evening to film the rest, especially when we are on location rather than in a domestic environment.
Weather
Weather is impossible to control, so writing my film around the weather will be a difficult task. This is why I have decided not to involve weather as a story element as its virtually impossible to predict and work around.
In terms of what will be best for footage and equipment, warm weather is best to avoid discomfort when filming, without question. A cloudy day, rather than sunny, will be most efficient as the clouds neutralise the lighting and help avoid stark lighting conditions (this will also ensure perfect continuity as shadows change through the day).
I wish to film in clear conditions, i.e no rain, snow etc. This will keep the equipment safe and ensure continuity as the severity of the weather might change shot to shot. This will be what is best for my film in terms of practicality.
Potential Locations
Now that I've established what the settings will be like in general, I can begin to focus on which specific locations will help me to create these looks for my film.
River
Given the sparsity of rivers in my local area, I will likely have to compromise and use a lake instead. Finding an available lake will be difficult, as given their dangerous nature they are often out-of-bounds to the public.
Saham Mere, Saham Toney
Saham Mere is a circular, naturally formed shallow lake situated in the village of Saham Toney. The mere has a strong history and is most notably documented for being the habitat of two unique species of Eel, found nowhere else in the world. The location features a large, round body of water, enveloped by dense forestry.
What are the Advantages of Using This Location?
The main advantages stem from its convenience; it is very local to me and, therefore, extremely easy and fast to get to, meaning I won't have to worry too much about travelling long distances. Furthermore, the likelihood of encountering pedestrians and disrupting filming is extremely low because it is strictly private land. This will make filming easier as there won't be interruptions or risks of people getting in the background of the shots or their voices being recorded etc.
Furthermore, it is a very large lake. This can be seen as an advantage because it means we have a larger chance of finding the perfect spot to film in. In addition, the scale of the lake is useful because it means its ends won't be captured on camera, meaning it is seemingly endless. This is useful in order to simulate a river as opposed to a lake, which is more fitting to the themes of the film.
What are the Disadvantages of Using This Location?
The main disadvantage lies in the fact it is private, meaning I will have to obtain special permission
from the owner and the likelihood of permission is scarce. Furthermore, the mere is said to be dangerous and I wouldn't want to put anyone at risk, especially when my idea requires entering the lake slightly.
Another reason this location isn't necessarily suitable is because of its circular nature and dense forestry around it. The forest leaves little room along the river bank which only gives a small amount of open space available to film in. This means it will be difficult to manoeuvre as well as setting up equipment if a tripod or other stabilisers are used. Similarly, a compact and close effect is not something I want to create in my film. Furthermore, as the lake is entirely enclosed by dense forestry, it might block out sunlight and create shadows. Dark lighting conditions ruin the quality of the footage, especially on cheap cameras. By choosing a more open location it prevents the risk of dimness which will hopefully prevent noisy footage.
In addition, I'm not particularly familiar with the location, which means that I wouldn't know where about would serve as the perfect filming spot. This would mean I would need to allocate time to find a spot, which might waste valuable filming time.
One of the disadvantages of using this location is the fact that, while close to me, may be out of the way for the cast. This is something to consider when selecting any location.
Scoulton Mere, Scoulton
Scoulton Mere is an artificial shallow lake situated in the village of Scoulton. It's most notable for its history: a former nesting ground of a huge black-headed gull colony, where the eggs were collected and made into the now obsolete dish named 'Scoulton Pie'. The location features a large body of water with an island in the centre.
What are the Advantages of Using This Location?
An advantage of this location is the sheer size of it. By having a large location it provides a range of different spots to potentially film in. This provides lots of choices to find the perfect spot to film in. The size of the lake will be helpful in making the location look like a river as opposed to a lake, which will be more fitting, as the ends of it won't be captured on camera.
Another reason this location is suitable is that it's very local to me and therefore easy and convenient to access. Furthermore, the land is private, therefore the chance of running into people is unlikely. This is good because it prevents actors/crew getting distracted and filming getting disrupted. It also means nobody will get into the frame during filming or voices be picked up on audio.
The location is very beautiful, even during colder months. This will help improve the overall aesthetic of my film. Similarly, both the lake and the village are quite remote, this is useful because this will reduce background noises found in built-up areas and built up areas won't be captured in the background of the frame.
As well as a lake, the location features a forest as well. This can be seen as an advantage because providing two different terrains will widen the choice I have regarding the setting.
What are the Disadvantages of Using This Location?
The disadvantage of this location is the fact that it is private land. This means I will need to obtain permission to gain access to it - the likelihood of being granted permission is low as the mere is considered dangerous to the public. Furthermore, this is inconvenient as it aggravates the planning
and organising process and makes everything a lot harder.
Another disadvantage is, although the lake is local to me, it isn't within walking distance. This means I would have to arrange transport to get to it. This will unlikely be a problem, but it is a factor to consider. One of the disadvantages of using this location is the fact that, while close to me, may be out of the way for the cast. This is something to consider when selecting any location.
Another problem with this location is the fact that, while in a remote area, a main road leading out from a local town to the main city passes through. This means there is busy traffic quite close to the filming location, which might be picked up in the background.
Another issue that may arise if I opt to use this location is its dense nature. The thick forestry envelops the entire lake, leaving little to no open space along the water's edge. This is a difficult environment to film in as it makes setting up shot and moving freely about the place virtually impossible. Furthermore, the density of the forest around may block sunlight which, while possibly dimming out the shots from harsh shadows caused by dramatic sunlight, may cause dramatically dark lighting conditions. Filming in such low key lighting will severely impact the quality of the footage, which may become grainy.
Fritton Lake, Norfolk/Suffolk Border
Fritton Lake is an outdoor retreat and nature reserve located near the Norfolk Broads. After a peat excavation site was flooded, the lake that formed became a duck hunting ground. Now it serves as a recreation centre.
What are the Advantages of Using This Location?
The main advantage to using this lake is the fact that it is public. This is useful because it won't require permission to enter and is likely safe to be around. Furthermore, it's a very beautiful location that contains both open spaces, forestry and, of course, the water. This is convenient because it offers lots of choices when choosing a filming location. Furthermore, open spaces are convenient to move around and set up a shot from any angle I want.
The shape of the lake is extremely convenient to my project as it takes the shape of a river (elongated and narrow) rather than a lake. This is convenient to create the effect of a river as opposed to a lake, which is fitting to my film in order to allude to the theme of division. The size of the river is extremely beneficial too. This is because the forest surrounding the lake won't cast shadows over the water and leaves enough room for the light to catch the filming areas. This is useful to avoid grainy footage caused by terrible lighting conditions. Furthermore, the trees surrounding are convenient because it blocks the direct sunlight (not the overall light), which helps avoid stark shadows caused by concentrated sunlight. This will be good for the film to ensure continuity as sunlight changes throughout the day. Furthermore, direct sunlight creates very harsh and ugly footage.
Being in a very rural location is useful because it prevents background industrial sights and sounds found in built-up areas. This will be fitting to my purely fictional world and will help me maintain control over every shot.
What are the Disadvantages of Using This Location?
The main disadvantage and one of the most important factors to consider is the fact that it is a public landmark and tourist attraction. This is a drawback because it increases the risk of running into
people. This will disrupt filming, distract the cast and also potentially ruin footage with background noises or stumbling into the background of the shot. Furthermore, because it is an outdoor swimming centre there are lifeguards and buoys present. This will be a problem because it restricts what we can do with the water and where we can film, as the buoys will completely ruin the shot and take away from the natural appeal of the setting. Furthermore, there are restrictions on entering the water because it is a public location. Some spots require booking sessions, this is a problem because it will cost money. Similarly, because they are bookable slots it means that there will be other people around when filming. This is an extreme downside because they will make my cast uncomfortable during filming and also get in the background of the footage and audio.
Another drawback to using this location is the fact that it is located on the Norfolk Broads. This is a problem because it is quite a far distance to travel (approximately an hours drive). As I don't drive I would need to acquire transport from someone who can drive because public transport doesn't access this location. This distance is too far to expect someone to drive. Also, it may be difficult relying on somebody else's schedule.
I am also very unfamiliar with this location, therefore finding my way around may be difficult and I may have to waste valuable filming time to locating a good spot to film and familiarising myself with the location.
Lynford Water, Mundford
Lynford Water is a lake situated in the quaint village of Mundford. Once a quarry, the lake is best known for its excavation, in which mammoth remains and prehistoric weapons used by Neanderthals were found, suggesting the site was once a neanderthal settlement. The site contains various terrains and settings, including two lakes (one public, one conservation), a beach, a forest and vast fields. Nearby is an arboretum perfect for bird watchers.
What are the Advantages of Using This Location?
A reason this location is appropriate to use is that it's quite local to me, being only a twenty-minute drive from me. This means it is convenient and easy to access.
Another advantage to using this location is it's open to the public. This is useful because it means it is both safe for the public to be around as well as be easy to access without gaining special permission from the owner. This saves unnecessary steps in the planning and organising process.
The shape of the lake is appropriate too, as it's longer than it is wide. This simulates a river, which is appropriate in regards to the themes of division in my film. Similarly, the size and openness of the lake is a benefit because it allows light to enter, preventing noisy footage caused by low lighting conditions. On the other hand, the tall trees that are dotted around the location help block direct sunlight from reaching filming spots. This is a good thing because direct sunlight ruins footage by creating stark shadows and can even damage the camera.
The village the lake is situated in is quite remote, this limits the amount of traffic and people that pass through. This is useful because it prevents people from ruining footage by appearing in the background of the shots or even the audio. This is helped by the size, sparsity and variation of the
location. Because the location is so big it reduces the risk of encountering pedestrians, which will make the filming process more fluid.
The size, sparsity and variation of Lynford Water are beneficial in another way too. This is because it offers more choice in regards to where I can film. For example, if I find I don't like one spot, I can relocate to another that is more suitable for the look I am trying to achieve. Furthermore, the fact that it is open space if useful because it will make moving around and setting up the perfect shot easier, without objects such as trees getting in the way of the shot.
What are the Disadvantages of Using This Location?
One of the drawbacks to using this location is the fact that it is public. Although it means it is convenient and easy to access, it increases the risk of encountering pedestrians, especially being a popular spot for dog walkers, bird watchers and hikers. This is a disadvantage because when people walk past will disrupt filming, distract the cast and also potentially ruin the shot by walking in the background or their voices being recorded.
Another drawback to choosing this location is the distance it is from me. Although it is in the local area, it is still a twenty-minute drive and will require transport. As there is no public transport to this place and I don't drive, I will need to rely on somebody else to drive us to the location. Relying on somebody else's schedule is risky, furthermore, expecting someone to drive may be unrealistic. One of the disadvantages of using this location is the fact that, while close to me, may be out of the way for the cast. This is something to consider when selecting any location.
Underwater/Swimming Pool
For a certain scene, I will need to film underwater. Given the cold, potentially dirty and murky condition of a lake, I have opted to use a private swimming pool to film these scenes.
Woodrising Pool, Breckland
Woodrising Pool is a private swimming centre located in the district of Breckland, near Shipdham.
What are the Advantages of Using this Location?
An advantage of this location is its easy access: it is quite local to me (only an eleven-minute drive). This is convenient as I won't spend too much time travelling to the location and (having to rely on someone else to drive there) won't put too much pressure on the person transporting us to travel ridiculously long distances.
Another advantage is the fact that it is private. This is useful because it means that, like a public pool, people won't get in the way of the shot or distract the cast from filming and throw them off.
Another benefit to this location is its presence online. While this may seem a weird benefit, the fact that this pool has a website with a lot of information about it is useful to compare to other locations
and help me make my decision, especially when a lot of private pools are so invisible on the Internet. The website provides lots of information and photos about the pool which is handy when making my decision.
This pool may be suitable to use because it is well kept. Swimming in a badly-kept, low condition pool is unpleasant for anyone. Furthermore, it is warm (like most indoor swimming pools), this will be good, especially in the colder months when I intend to film.
What are the Disadvantages of Using this Location?
One of the disadvantages of this location is the limitations it has. Firstly, according to the website, the maximum number of swimmers is six. While I don't necessarily need six people there during filming, it would be better to go there, get the scenes and then make the day of it with friends, as it will only take a couple of minutes to get the few shots I need. If we were to make a day of it, then 6 people won't necessarily be enough.
Another drawback to this location is the pricing. To book it out costs £22 per hour. While this isn't too expensive, especially when split between a group, it is more expensive out of the other private pools I compared it too.
Similarly, while only a short drive away, it cannot be accessed by public transport. As I don't drive, this would require finding someone to drive us there, which requires relying on someone else's schedule. This may be a risk. One of the disadvantages of using this location is the fact that, while close to me, may be out of the way for the cast. This is something to consider when selecting any location.
As a private pool that is likely aware of health and safety issues, it may be difficult to obtain permission to wear costumes into the pool as it may pose a health and safety risk. According to the 'conditions of hire' on the website, there is no mention of clothing besides footwear, however, this doesn't necessarily mean that wearing non-swimsuit clothing into the pool is not prohibited. Similarly, some establishments have issues with filming on their premises so I may have to obtain permission to record inside the building.
The pool itself is quite small, like most independent private pools. This may be an issue when bringing lots of people into the building.
Another disadvantage, like any other swimming pool, is the fact that it won't look like a lake because of the very exaggerated blue tones. This may ruin the continuity and authenticity of the film.
Ovington Private Pool, Watton
Ovington Private Pool is a private swimming centre in Watton.
What are the Advantages of Using this Location?
The benefit of using this location is its locality. The location is near to me (only a few minutes drive) and is therefore easy to get to and very convenient to use as it won't take a good portion of the day to travel to.
Another advantage is the fact that it is private. This means people won't get in the way of filming and distract the cast or throw them off and make them uncomfortable so that it reduces the quality of the acting.
Another advantage is the fact that it is relatively cheap (approximately £13 an hour), which is much cheaper than other options, especially when split between a group of people.
Another advantage is, from what I've heard of the location, there isn't really a limit on the number of people that can swim in the pool. This is convenient if I choose to go with a group. Furthermore, I know that you are allowed to wear clothing in the pool, which is convenient.
What are the Disadvantages of Using this Location?
A drawback to using this location is its obscure nature; it doesn't have a website or source of information regarding the pool beside phoning the establishment owners. This is inconvenient as it will lengthen the research process.
Another drawback is the condition of the property itself. From what I've heard, the chlorine levels in the pool causes discomfort and potential skin irritation. Swimming in bad conditions is unpleasant and may affect the performance of the cast too. The colour of the water is supposedly murky because of the extensive chlorine use. This may ruin the footage and make it harder to film as the camera may not be able to pick up something a little distance away because of poor visibility in the water. Similarly, the pool is quite small, which may mean fitting a group of people into it may be bad.
Some establishments prohibit filming, which means I may have to obtain permission in order to film on the premises.
One of the disadvantages of using this location is the fact that, while close to me, may be out of the way for the cast. This is something to consider when selecting any location. Another disadvantage stems from the fact that it is a swimming pool, as opposed to a lake. This will produce the artificial blue hue in the water that is seen in swimming pools and obviously not natural bodies of water. This may ruin the continuity of the film.
Northacre Farm Pool, Caston
Northacre Farm Pool is a private swimming pool available for hire. It is located in the village of Caston in the Breckland district of Norfolk.
What are the Advantages of Using this Location?
The main advantage of using this location is the fact that it is local to me. As it is situated in the village directly next to mine and is, therefore, only a minute's drive from my house, it is an extremely convenient place to use.
The condition of the pool is good - its comfortable and warm and is therefore perfect for cold weather. Similarly, the fact that it is private is useful because it means that people won't get in the way and disrupt filming.
Similarly, you are permitted to wear clothes in the pool, which is convenient for my film as I require costumes for my characters.
What are the Disadvantages of Using this Location?
One of the disadvantages of using this location is the fact that, while close to me, may be out of the way for the cast. This is something to consider when selecting any location.
In addition to this, some establishments prohibit filming inside. This means I may have to acquire permission to film on the premises, which may be inconvenient, particularly if they refuse.
Another issue, which applies to using a swimming pool as opposed to a lake in general, is the artificial blue hue created by a swimming pool that may make it look obviously like a swimming pool as opposed to a lake. This may ruin the continuity of the film. However, this can be slightly fixed by colour grading and camera settings to obtain a low saturation that prevents the blue hue of the footage.
Furthermore, the pool itself is quite small which may make moving about restricted and may make fitting everyone into the pool and also provide room for filming difficult.
Wymondham Leisure Centre, Wymondham
Wymondham Leisure Centre is a leisure centre in Wymondham. It contains a large public swimming pool that can be hired out privately.
What are the Advantages of Using this Location?
The advantage to using this location is the fact that it is a clean pool in good condition which will make filming a more pleasant experience. Furthermore, it is heated which is good during cold weather.
Another advantage is that, while a little while away from me, it is based where my sixth form is and, therefore, is convenient for both me and the cast.
The pool itself is quite large which is convenient because it means I won't have any issue fitting everyone into the pool as well as moving around freely, having enough space to film in.
What are the Disadvantages of Using this Location?
The main disadvantage stems from the fact that it is a public swimming pool. This is a problem because this means that the likelihood of being allowed to both film on the premises as well as wear costumes is low. However, you are able to rent the pool out privately. This is an issue, however, because it is extremely expensive compared to my other options, as it is £80 per hour.
The price is a problem too because it severely limits the time we can spend there as booking out multiple hours will be far too expensive.
Another issue is that it is quite far to travel for me and would likely require the use of public transport. This may be inconvenient when carrying filming equipment, props and other heavy items.
Countryside
This is a very vague location type. This is convenient because it allows me more choice when considering where to film.
Thetford Forest, Thetford
Thetford Forest is a forest and nature reserve local to me. It is the largest 'lowland pine forest' in the UK and spans across South Norfolk and North Suffolk. It contains a variety of vegetation and trees, specifically an abundance of tall pine trees. It is a man-made forest, so the trees are all aligned in rows which gives it an interesting look. Furthermore, across it are scattered old buildings, nearby a priory. It contains both compact areas as well as open plains so the diverse terrain can be used for multiple purposes.
What are the Advantages of Using this Location?
This location is good for the following reasons: firstly, it's convenient because it's local: it's only a ten-minute drive from where I live and is therefore easily accessible.
Secondly, it's large, which means I have a range of different areas to work with so if one section of the forest does not suit the look I am attempting to achieve then I can relocate to another area that will. It gives me more freedom and choice with exactly how I want the location in the footage to look. Because it's large, it also makes the chance of encountering people less likely than a smaller woodland, as there's a smaller chance people will be in the same area I will be. Furthermore, the forest contains meadows too, which means if I decide not to film in a forest, I can still use this location.
It's also a particularly deep and remote forest, which means there won't be much civilisation and busy towns nearby. This is good because the footage won't contain any industrial activity in the background and appear very natural and quiet. They won't be in the background of shots or in the audio.
Another reason this location is suitable is because of the actual type of forest itself and how it looks. Because it contains pine trees and vegetation that endures winter very well, the branches won't look completely bare and therefore extraordinarily ugly on footage - particularly in sharp footage. This will make the overall look of the film more pleasing as it's a very beautiful location.
Although it contains some compact areas, there are sparse areas too. This means it will be easy to manoeuvre around in order to get the best shots from various different angles and distances.
What are the Disadvantages of Using this Location?
This location carries a few drawbacks. Firstly, the fact it is very large may be very advantageous to me, but depending on how deep we want to travel to find that desired look, it may be difficult to travel such large distances with all the heavy filming equipment and props. Furthermore, the valuable time spent travelling through the forest would be used up wastefully when I need to allocate the majority of the time to actually filming, especially during this time of year when the daylight is only about for so long and I'll need to make the most of it. If we choose to film in the shallower areas of the forest, we would likely be near a main road which will be very problematic. Firstly, the sound of traffic may be heard in the audio, which will ruin the dialogue scenes or the fictional world I'm trying to create. Furthermore, depending on the sparsity of the trees, the main road may appear in the background of the shot, which will, again, ruin the world I'm trying to create.
Secondly, despite there being sparse areas in the forest, there are some very confined areas. This will restrict movement and may even get in the way of obtaining a good shot because of the inability to manoeuvre into a suitable angle or distance.
Furthermore, as a high profile forest, it is a target for a lot of hikers, dog walkers and just pedestrians in general. Although the sheer size will prevent chances of us encountering these hikers, particularly if we avoid pathways and public routes if we do encounter people they could disrupt the filming and distract my cast. Furthermore, if they walk into frame, then we will have to redo that entire shot once they have gone which will be very inconvenient and use up valuable time.
Another issue that may arise with this location is the fact that, although local to me, is still too far to walk and would, therefore, require transport. As no public transport runs through this area, I will need to acquire a lift off somebody, which requires relying on another person's schedule which may be risky.
While it is local to me, it may not necessarily be convenient for my cast. This is something to consider.
Wayland Wood, Watton
Wayland Wood is an ancient woodland local to me. Wayland Wood has a very old history and is the home to the famous folklore tale, the subject of a short film produced by the Walt Disney Company, 'The Babes In The Wood', where the ghosts of the children featured in the fairy tale are said to allegedly 'haunt the woods'. The nature reserve contains an abundance of varied vegetation, terrain and trees. It mostly contains confined areas, however, does include multiple fields and meadows nearby. Moreover, there is plenty of wildlife and many flowers growing in the woodland, most notably bluebells, so it is a very pretty woodland.
What are the Advantages of Using this Location?
The first thing that makes it suitable is the fact that it's a nature reserve and, therefore, won't contain any industrial or tourist-oriented features, eg. gift shops or large signs. This is appropriate because the film is supposed to be set in a blank-canvas kind of world so any sign of other life won't fit very well. Furthermore, it will reduce the chance of running into pedestrians as it is not the subject of tourism and therefore filming won't be disrupted by passersby.
It's remote and away from the surrounding town and village, therefore won't have any everyday background noises or any industrial developments in view.
Secondly, it's very convenient. Driving to it would take approximately five minutes and it is within walking distance - although 3 miles away so may prove difficult when hauling the heavy equipment.
It's quite a small woodland and therefore wouldn't require too much travelling to find a good spot for filming. It's a very beautiful woodland, particularly in the summertime.
What are the Disadvantages of Using this Location?
This location carries many drawbacks, for example, it's quite a small woodland in contrast to others and therefore will increase the chance of encountering pedestrians. Furthermore, it would mean that finding the 'perfect' spot will be more difficult when there's less woodland to choose from. Not only will the size be quite problematic, but the density of it will too. It's quite a compact woodland and, therefore, manoeuvring around trying to achieve the perfect angle will be quite hard in between the compact trees. The fact the trees are so close may prevent enough light from entering, which will detriment the final footage as it may be too dark to see or too noisy. Furthermore, low-key lighting may be dark for the emotional themes I'm trying to address.
Another problem surrounding Wayland Wood is the fact that it is quite popular among dog watchers and bird-watchers. This would mean that it's very likely pedestrians will disrupt filming by walking on set or distracting my cast. Given the size of the wood, any visitors in the wood will most probably stumble upon us filming and waste time by ruining our shots that we'd have to re-film. If I decide to leave them in the shot this will completely destroy the world I've created in my film.
Another disadvantage may be that, while it is conveniently close-by to me, it may not be close to my cast.
RAF Airfield, Watton/Griston
The Watton airfield is a former Royal Airforce station that was used actively by the American Forces and the RAF as a bomber airfield during the Second World War. Now reduced to farmland, it is scattered with collections of pine trees, mounds, a runway and turntable and ruminants of old wartime buildings.
What are the Advantages of Using this Location?
One of the main reasons this location is useful is that it is only a few yards from my house and is therefore extremely convenient to use.
It is useful to use because it contains a range of different sceneries. For example, plain fields, high grasses and forests. This is useful as it provides lots of choices when filming so that I am not restricted to one type of location.
I am very familiar with the location and therefore won't have to spend too much time trying to find a place to film, I know where everything is and therefore can get straight into filming, saving time.
The location is convenient to the look I'm trying to achieve because I want to make it look like the English countryside.
What are the Disadvantages of Using this Location?
Because it has been transformed into farmland, it is now private land. The owners don't have an issue with people using the airfield as a method to get from place to place, however, they may be a little suspicious by extended activity on there, as there has been a history of crimes performed on the farmland eg. fires. This would put availability at risk.
Furthermore, even though the location is local and convenient to me, it may not necessarily be convenient and easy to get to for my cast, which is problematic.
Watton Sports Centre & Loch Neaton, Watton
Watton Sports Centre is a leisure centre located near the centre of the market town of Watton. It features spacious fields, as well as a small lake coined 'Loch Neaton'.
What are the Advantages of Using this Location?
This location is suitable to use because it is situated very locally to me and is therefore easy to access. I am also very familiar with this location which is convenient as it will save time spent finding a spot and familiarising myself with the place that I can dedicate to filming.
Another reason is that it contains a variety of different terrains, for example, a loch, a field and a forest. This will be useful when setting up as it offers a variety of choices as to where exactly would be best to film. Similarly, the field is quite large, meaning there is plenty of space to move around in and set up my desired shot.
What are the Disadvantages of Using this Location?
This location may be unsuitable because it is high profile and, therefore, the target of many dog walkers, athletes, bird-watchers and so on. It is also often used by sports clubs. This is a problem because it increases the risk of filming being disrupted by passersby. Getting in the background of the footage or audio or even just distracting or disheartening the cast may also be a risk.
Not only is the practicality of the location an issue, but the look of it is too. Being a public space used frequently, the grounds are very well kept. This may be a problem as it will look quite artificial and, therefore, not fitting for my film.
Furthermore, this location, although local to me, may be out-of-the-way for my cast. This may be a problem to consider.
Setting is a term that refers to the world, time and geographical location in which a film is set. It is very broad in what defines it: in terms of time, it can include time of day, era, season, etc. In terms of location, it can be as specific as a room or the weather to the country or even an event, such as a party. Setting also includes the social environment, too. For example, the culture or society. The setting can be identified through elements of mise-en-scѐne. For example, the way characters are dressed may indicate the time period or culture, the set design may establish the specific location or a number of characters onscreen may suggest what sort of event or situation is occurring and so on. Setting may also be used to help construct the mise-en-scѐne of a film, too. It establishes the context of the story through time, location and social environment. Setting contributes to almost half of what the audience assimilates from a scene, other than characters, editing and other minor aspects. The setting may alter the audience's reading of the film too, for example, elements of the setting may establish certain things regarding the plot etc. It may also set a mood, for example, the stormy weather will create tension.
What Settings Do You Want To Use In Your Coursework?
Setting is something I think is really important; it can carry meaning or really enhance the narrative or message of the film. In my film, I want to use setting meaningfully. I don't want to use both the physical setting as well as the constructed world in the film merely for aesthetic purposes.
I have divided setting into two sections: physical setting and the fictional world. The physical setting is the specific things that comprise what will be seen on screen, for example, the weather, location, time of day and so on. The fictional world refers to the context of the film; what cultural realm and social/political climate it's based in.
Fictional World/Context
My film will be set in a completely fictional world unrelated to ours. By this, I don't mean the planet. I mean the culture. By placing the narrative in a faraway society it allows the audience to perceive matters that they can't in their own world. It allows the audience to reflect on the nature of humans from a distant and objective platform without being coaxed into a bias or damaged reading by the context of their own society. It has the same effect as classical mythology. Not only does it give a distant perspective, however, it also universalises the message of the tale. By setting the story in a modern or familiar world, the teaching only applies to that moment in history. By choosing to place the characters in an unfamiliar world, the message transcends modern teachings because it becomes timeless and universal: it can be applied to any culture, any society and any time period. I have chosen to use this technique because my film carries a hidden message that I think would be undermined if placed in a modern society - its themes are too topical to have any real impact.
In this fictional world that I have formed, I have removed any sign of modern civilisation. This includes buildings and architectural structures, jobs, technology and other signs of modern lifestyle. This is to stress the difference between the fictional world and the real world, which plays on the points made previously. This leaves me a blank canvas: an empty world for my characters to roam.
In terms of the context of the film, it is set among two tribes: White Cloaks and the Riverfolk. The political climate is very tense between these tribes which is the basis for the film's plot.
Physical Setting
The physical setting is important for bringing the film to life and inferring meaning. In terms of locations, I have chosen to set it in scenic/rural locations. This emphasises the empty, faraway world I want my film to be set. Different settings will be used to indicate a distance between the two tribes.
Riverfolk
The Riverfolk have a settlement close to the river, hence their name. The reason I have chosen to incorporate a river is that river separates land. One of the key themes of my film is division, therefore the river plays on the idea of division and references the social climate of the film. Furthermore, its used as a visual marker for the differences between the two tribes to help the audience understand what's going on.
White Cloaks
The White Cloaks will be situated in a more open or dry environment. The reason for this is to help establish the difference between the two tribes. Furthermore, places associated with outskirts (in this case, the river) are considered less developed than mainland areas. I want to play with this idea, as the White Cloaks believe they are the epitome of civilisation and superior to the tribe that lives on the outskirts. Though, this is a misconception.
Time
Season
Given the circumstances of my film, I am restricted to colder months (autumn and winter). This restricts what seasons I can feature in my film. However, this isn't necessarily a problem, as the seasons aren't particularly relevant to my film (though it is inconvenient in terms of being outside in the cold). This being said, autumnal months may be effective (if they're obviously identifiable), as they represent change - this creates the theme of hope of change, which is relevant to my film's themes. Otherwise, the season isn't necessarily important to my film.
Time of Day
Time of day is important depending on the scene. For example, daytime is used predominantly to express a sense of normality. When daylight is present, no change is drastically made regarding the plot - the environment in which the protagonist is in remains static (more or less). However, one
The penultimate scene requires nighttime (lit by a fire), this characterises the moment the character has changed the environment, as nighttime suggests a new day will come. This is the moment the Preacher is killed, therefore the nighttime reflects the death of the Preacher and therefore the death of the world the characters were familiar with.
In terms of practical convenience, filming in mornings and evenings is the best time of day to avoid the high sun and direct sunlight, which undoubtedly ruins footage as it creates harsh shadows. This will ensure high-quality footage, however, it is inconvenient to film in mornings and then wait around all day until the evening to film the rest, especially when we are on location rather than in a domestic environment.
Weather
Weather is impossible to control, so writing my film around the weather will be a difficult task. This is why I have decided not to involve weather as a story element as its virtually impossible to predict and work around.
In terms of what will be best for footage and equipment, warm weather is best to avoid discomfort when filming, without question. A cloudy day, rather than sunny, will be most efficient as the clouds neutralise the lighting and help avoid stark lighting conditions (this will also ensure perfect continuity as shadows change through the day).
I wish to film in clear conditions, i.e no rain, snow etc. This will keep the equipment safe and ensure continuity as the severity of the weather might change shot to shot. This will be what is best for my film in terms of practicality.
Potential Locations
Now that I've established what the settings will be like in general, I can begin to focus on which specific locations will help me to create these looks for my film.
River
Given the sparsity of rivers in my local area, I will likely have to compromise and use a lake instead. Finding an available lake will be difficult, as given their dangerous nature they are often out-of-bounds to the public.
Saham Mere, Saham Toney
Saham Mere is a circular, naturally formed shallow lake situated in the village of Saham Toney. The mere has a strong history and is most notably documented for being the habitat of two unique species of Eel, found nowhere else in the world. The location features a large, round body of water, enveloped by dense forestry.
What are the Advantages of Using This Location?
The main advantages stem from its convenience; it is very local to me and, therefore, extremely easy and fast to get to, meaning I won't have to worry too much about travelling long distances. Furthermore, the likelihood of encountering pedestrians and disrupting filming is extremely low because it is strictly private land. This will make filming easier as there won't be interruptions or risks of people getting in the background of the shots or their voices being recorded etc.
Furthermore, it is a very large lake. This can be seen as an advantage because it means we have a larger chance of finding the perfect spot to film in. In addition, the scale of the lake is useful because it means its ends won't be captured on camera, meaning it is seemingly endless. This is useful in order to simulate a river as opposed to a lake, which is more fitting to the themes of the film.
What are the Disadvantages of Using This Location?
The main disadvantage lies in the fact it is private, meaning I will have to obtain special permission
from the owner and the likelihood of permission is scarce. Furthermore, the mere is said to be dangerous and I wouldn't want to put anyone at risk, especially when my idea requires entering the lake slightly.
Another reason this location isn't necessarily suitable is because of its circular nature and dense forestry around it. The forest leaves little room along the river bank which only gives a small amount of open space available to film in. This means it will be difficult to manoeuvre as well as setting up equipment if a tripod or other stabilisers are used. Similarly, a compact and close effect is not something I want to create in my film. Furthermore, as the lake is entirely enclosed by dense forestry, it might block out sunlight and create shadows. Dark lighting conditions ruin the quality of the footage, especially on cheap cameras. By choosing a more open location it prevents the risk of dimness which will hopefully prevent noisy footage.In addition, I'm not particularly familiar with the location, which means that I wouldn't know where about would serve as the perfect filming spot. This would mean I would need to allocate time to find a spot, which might waste valuable filming time.
One of the disadvantages of using this location is the fact that, while close to me, may be out of the way for the cast. This is something to consider when selecting any location.
Scoulton Mere, Scoulton
Scoulton Mere is an artificial shallow lake situated in the village of Scoulton. It's most notable for its history: a former nesting ground of a huge black-headed gull colony, where the eggs were collected and made into the now obsolete dish named 'Scoulton Pie'. The location features a large body of water with an island in the centre.
What are the Advantages of Using This Location?
An advantage of this location is the sheer size of it. By having a large location it provides a range of different spots to potentially film in. This provides lots of choices to find the perfect spot to film in. The size of the lake will be helpful in making the location look like a river as opposed to a lake, which will be more fitting, as the ends of it won't be captured on camera.
Another reason this location is suitable is that it's very local to me and therefore easy and convenient to access. Furthermore, the land is private, therefore the chance of running into people is unlikely. This is good because it prevents actors/crew getting distracted and filming getting disrupted. It also means nobody will get into the frame during filming or voices be picked up on audio.
The location is very beautiful, even during colder months. This will help improve the overall aesthetic of my film. Similarly, both the lake and the village are quite remote, this is useful because this will reduce background noises found in built-up areas and built up areas won't be captured in the background of the frame.
As well as a lake, the location features a forest as well. This can be seen as an advantage because providing two different terrains will widen the choice I have regarding the setting.
What are the Disadvantages of Using This Location?
The disadvantage of this location is the fact that it is private land. This means I will need to obtain permission to gain access to it - the likelihood of being granted permission is low as the mere is considered dangerous to the public. Furthermore, this is inconvenient as it aggravates the planning
Another disadvantage is, although the lake is local to me, it isn't within walking distance. This means I would have to arrange transport to get to it. This will unlikely be a problem, but it is a factor to consider. One of the disadvantages of using this location is the fact that, while close to me, may be out of the way for the cast. This is something to consider when selecting any location.
Another problem with this location is the fact that, while in a remote area, a main road leading out from a local town to the main city passes through. This means there is busy traffic quite close to the filming location, which might be picked up in the background.
Another issue that may arise if I opt to use this location is its dense nature. The thick forestry envelops the entire lake, leaving little to no open space along the water's edge. This is a difficult environment to film in as it makes setting up shot and moving freely about the place virtually impossible. Furthermore, the density of the forest around may block sunlight which, while possibly dimming out the shots from harsh shadows caused by dramatic sunlight, may cause dramatically dark lighting conditions. Filming in such low key lighting will severely impact the quality of the footage, which may become grainy.
Fritton Lake, Norfolk/Suffolk Border
Fritton Lake is an outdoor retreat and nature reserve located near the Norfolk Broads. After a peat excavation site was flooded, the lake that formed became a duck hunting ground. Now it serves as a recreation centre.
What are the Advantages of Using This Location?
The main advantage to using this lake is the fact that it is public. This is useful because it won't require permission to enter and is likely safe to be around. Furthermore, it's a very beautiful location that contains both open spaces, forestry and, of course, the water. This is convenient because it offers lots of choices when choosing a filming location. Furthermore, open spaces are convenient to move around and set up a shot from any angle I want.
The shape of the lake is extremely convenient to my project as it takes the shape of a river (elongated and narrow) rather than a lake. This is convenient to create the effect of a river as opposed to a lake, which is fitting to my film in order to allude to the theme of division. The size of the river is extremely beneficial too. This is because the forest surrounding the lake won't cast shadows over the water and leaves enough room for the light to catch the filming areas. This is useful to avoid grainy footage caused by terrible lighting conditions. Furthermore, the trees surrounding are convenient because it blocks the direct sunlight (not the overall light), which helps avoid stark shadows caused by concentrated sunlight. This will be good for the film to ensure continuity as sunlight changes throughout the day. Furthermore, direct sunlight creates very harsh and ugly footage.
Being in a very rural location is useful because it prevents background industrial sights and sounds found in built-up areas. This will be fitting to my purely fictional world and will help me maintain control over every shot.
What are the Disadvantages of Using This Location?
The main disadvantage and one of the most important factors to consider is the fact that it is a public landmark and tourist attraction. This is a drawback because it increases the risk of running into
Another drawback to using this location is the fact that it is located on the Norfolk Broads. This is a problem because it is quite a far distance to travel (approximately an hours drive). As I don't drive I would need to acquire transport from someone who can drive because public transport doesn't access this location. This distance is too far to expect someone to drive. Also, it may be difficult relying on somebody else's schedule.
I am also very unfamiliar with this location, therefore finding my way around may be difficult and I may have to waste valuable filming time to locating a good spot to film and familiarising myself with the location.
Lynford Water, Mundford
Lynford Water is a lake situated in the quaint village of Mundford. Once a quarry, the lake is best known for its excavation, in which mammoth remains and prehistoric weapons used by Neanderthals were found, suggesting the site was once a neanderthal settlement. The site contains various terrains and settings, including two lakes (one public, one conservation), a beach, a forest and vast fields. Nearby is an arboretum perfect for bird watchers.
What are the Advantages of Using This Location?
A reason this location is appropriate to use is that it's quite local to me, being only a twenty-minute drive from me. This means it is convenient and easy to access.
Another advantage to using this location is it's open to the public. This is useful because it means it is both safe for the public to be around as well as be easy to access without gaining special permission from the owner. This saves unnecessary steps in the planning and organising process.
The shape of the lake is appropriate too, as it's longer than it is wide. This simulates a river, which is appropriate in regards to the themes of division in my film. Similarly, the size and openness of the lake is a benefit because it allows light to enter, preventing noisy footage caused by low lighting conditions. On the other hand, the tall trees that are dotted around the location help block direct sunlight from reaching filming spots. This is a good thing because direct sunlight ruins footage by creating stark shadows and can even damage the camera.The village the lake is situated in is quite remote, this limits the amount of traffic and people that pass through. This is useful because it prevents people from ruining footage by appearing in the background of the shots or even the audio. This is helped by the size, sparsity and variation of the
location. Because the location is so big it reduces the risk of encountering pedestrians, which will make the filming process more fluid.
The size, sparsity and variation of Lynford Water are beneficial in another way too. This is because it offers more choice in regards to where I can film. For example, if I find I don't like one spot, I can relocate to another that is more suitable for the look I am trying to achieve. Furthermore, the fact that it is open space if useful because it will make moving around and setting up the perfect shot easier, without objects such as trees getting in the way of the shot.
What are the Disadvantages of Using This Location?
One of the drawbacks to using this location is the fact that it is public. Although it means it is convenient and easy to access, it increases the risk of encountering pedestrians, especially being a popular spot for dog walkers, bird watchers and hikers. This is a disadvantage because when people walk past will disrupt filming, distract the cast and also potentially ruin the shot by walking in the background or their voices being recorded.
Another drawback to choosing this location is the distance it is from me. Although it is in the local area, it is still a twenty-minute drive and will require transport. As there is no public transport to this place and I don't drive, I will need to rely on somebody else to drive us to the location. Relying on somebody else's schedule is risky, furthermore, expecting someone to drive may be unrealistic. One of the disadvantages of using this location is the fact that, while close to me, may be out of the way for the cast. This is something to consider when selecting any location.
Underwater/Swimming Pool
For a certain scene, I will need to film underwater. Given the cold, potentially dirty and murky condition of a lake, I have opted to use a private swimming pool to film these scenes.
Woodrising Pool, Breckland
Woodrising Pool is a private swimming centre located in the district of Breckland, near Shipdham.
What are the Advantages of Using this Location?
An advantage of this location is its easy access: it is quite local to me (only an eleven-minute drive). This is convenient as I won't spend too much time travelling to the location and (having to rely on someone else to drive there) won't put too much pressure on the person transporting us to travel ridiculously long distances.
Another advantage is the fact that it is private. This is useful because it means that, like a public pool, people won't get in the way of the shot or distract the cast from filming and throw them off.
Another benefit to this location is its presence online. While this may seem a weird benefit, the fact that this pool has a website with a lot of information about it is useful to compare to other locations
This pool may be suitable to use because it is well kept. Swimming in a badly-kept, low condition pool is unpleasant for anyone. Furthermore, it is warm (like most indoor swimming pools), this will be good, especially in the colder months when I intend to film.
What are the Disadvantages of Using this Location?
One of the disadvantages of this location is the limitations it has. Firstly, according to the website, the maximum number of swimmers is six. While I don't necessarily need six people there during filming, it would be better to go there, get the scenes and then make the day of it with friends, as it will only take a couple of minutes to get the few shots I need. If we were to make a day of it, then 6 people won't necessarily be enough.
Another drawback to this location is the pricing. To book it out costs £22 per hour. While this isn't too expensive, especially when split between a group, it is more expensive out of the other private pools I compared it too.
Similarly, while only a short drive away, it cannot be accessed by public transport. As I don't drive, this would require finding someone to drive us there, which requires relying on someone else's schedule. This may be a risk. One of the disadvantages of using this location is the fact that, while close to me, may be out of the way for the cast. This is something to consider when selecting any location.
As a private pool that is likely aware of health and safety issues, it may be difficult to obtain permission to wear costumes into the pool as it may pose a health and safety risk. According to the 'conditions of hire' on the website, there is no mention of clothing besides footwear, however, this doesn't necessarily mean that wearing non-swimsuit clothing into the pool is not prohibited. Similarly, some establishments have issues with filming on their premises so I may have to obtain permission to record inside the building.
The pool itself is quite small, like most independent private pools. This may be an issue when bringing lots of people into the building.
Another disadvantage, like any other swimming pool, is the fact that it won't look like a lake because of the very exaggerated blue tones. This may ruin the continuity and authenticity of the film.
Ovington Private Pool, Watton
Ovington Private Pool is a private swimming centre in Watton.
What are the Advantages of Using this Location?
The benefit of using this location is its locality. The location is near to me (only a few minutes drive) and is therefore easy to get to and very convenient to use as it won't take a good portion of the day to travel to.
Another advantage is the fact that it is private. This means people won't get in the way of filming and distract the cast or throw them off and make them uncomfortable so that it reduces the quality of the acting.
Another advantage is the fact that it is relatively cheap (approximately £13 an hour), which is much cheaper than other options, especially when split between a group of people.
Another advantage is, from what I've heard of the location, there isn't really a limit on the number of people that can swim in the pool. This is convenient if I choose to go with a group. Furthermore, I know that you are allowed to wear clothing in the pool, which is convenient.
What are the Disadvantages of Using this Location?
A drawback to using this location is its obscure nature; it doesn't have a website or source of information regarding the pool beside phoning the establishment owners. This is inconvenient as it will lengthen the research process.
Another drawback is the condition of the property itself. From what I've heard, the chlorine levels in the pool causes discomfort and potential skin irritation. Swimming in bad conditions is unpleasant and may affect the performance of the cast too. The colour of the water is supposedly murky because of the extensive chlorine use. This may ruin the footage and make it harder to film as the camera may not be able to pick up something a little distance away because of poor visibility in the water. Similarly, the pool is quite small, which may mean fitting a group of people into it may be bad.
Some establishments prohibit filming, which means I may have to obtain permission in order to film on the premises.
One of the disadvantages of using this location is the fact that, while close to me, may be out of the way for the cast. This is something to consider when selecting any location. Another disadvantage stems from the fact that it is a swimming pool, as opposed to a lake. This will produce the artificial blue hue in the water that is seen in swimming pools and obviously not natural bodies of water. This may ruin the continuity of the film.
Northacre Farm Pool, Caston
Northacre Farm Pool is a private swimming pool available for hire. It is located in the village of Caston in the Breckland district of Norfolk.
What are the Advantages of Using this Location?
The main advantage of using this location is the fact that it is local to me. As it is situated in the village directly next to mine and is, therefore, only a minute's drive from my house, it is an extremely convenient place to use.
The condition of the pool is good - its comfortable and warm and is therefore perfect for cold weather. Similarly, the fact that it is private is useful because it means that people won't get in the way and disrupt filming.
Similarly, you are permitted to wear clothes in the pool, which is convenient for my film as I require costumes for my characters.
What are the Disadvantages of Using this Location?
One of the disadvantages of using this location is the fact that, while close to me, may be out of the way for the cast. This is something to consider when selecting any location.
In addition to this, some establishments prohibit filming inside. This means I may have to acquire permission to film on the premises, which may be inconvenient, particularly if they refuse.
Another issue, which applies to using a swimming pool as opposed to a lake in general, is the artificial blue hue created by a swimming pool that may make it look obviously like a swimming pool as opposed to a lake. This may ruin the continuity of the film. However, this can be slightly fixed by colour grading and camera settings to obtain a low saturation that prevents the blue hue of the footage.
Furthermore, the pool itself is quite small which may make moving about restricted and may make fitting everyone into the pool and also provide room for filming difficult.
Wymondham Leisure Centre, Wymondham
Wymondham Leisure Centre is a leisure centre in Wymondham. It contains a large public swimming pool that can be hired out privately.
What are the Advantages of Using this Location?
The advantage to using this location is the fact that it is a clean pool in good condition which will make filming a more pleasant experience. Furthermore, it is heated which is good during cold weather.
Another advantage is that, while a little while away from me, it is based where my sixth form is and, therefore, is convenient for both me and the cast.
The pool itself is quite large which is convenient because it means I won't have any issue fitting everyone into the pool as well as moving around freely, having enough space to film in.
What are the Disadvantages of Using this Location?
The main disadvantage stems from the fact that it is a public swimming pool. This is a problem because this means that the likelihood of being allowed to both film on the premises as well as wear costumes is low. However, you are able to rent the pool out privately. This is an issue, however, because it is extremely expensive compared to my other options, as it is £80 per hour.
The price is a problem too because it severely limits the time we can spend there as booking out multiple hours will be far too expensive.
Another issue is that it is quite far to travel for me and would likely require the use of public transport. This may be inconvenient when carrying filming equipment, props and other heavy items.
Countryside
This is a very vague location type. This is convenient because it allows me more choice when considering where to film.
Thetford Forest, Thetford
Thetford Forest is a forest and nature reserve local to me. It is the largest 'lowland pine forest' in the UK and spans across South Norfolk and North Suffolk. It contains a variety of vegetation and trees, specifically an abundance of tall pine trees. It is a man-made forest, so the trees are all aligned in rows which gives it an interesting look. Furthermore, across it are scattered old buildings, nearby a priory. It contains both compact areas as well as open plains so the diverse terrain can be used for multiple purposes.
What are the Advantages of Using this Location?
This location is good for the following reasons: firstly, it's convenient because it's local: it's only a ten-minute drive from where I live and is therefore easily accessible.
Secondly, it's large, which means I have a range of different areas to work with so if one section of the forest does not suit the look I am attempting to achieve then I can relocate to another area that will. It gives me more freedom and choice with exactly how I want the location in the footage to look. Because it's large, it also makes the chance of encountering people less likely than a smaller woodland, as there's a smaller chance people will be in the same area I will be. Furthermore, the forest contains meadows too, which means if I decide not to film in a forest, I can still use this location.
It's also a particularly deep and remote forest, which means there won't be much civilisation and busy towns nearby. This is good because the footage won't contain any industrial activity in the background and appear very natural and quiet. They won't be in the background of shots or in the audio.
Another reason this location is suitable is because of the actual type of forest itself and how it looks. Because it contains pine trees and vegetation that endures winter very well, the branches won't look completely bare and therefore extraordinarily ugly on footage - particularly in sharp footage. This will make the overall look of the film more pleasing as it's a very beautiful location.
Although it contains some compact areas, there are sparse areas too. This means it will be easy to manoeuvre around in order to get the best shots from various different angles and distances.
What are the Disadvantages of Using this Location?
This location carries a few drawbacks. Firstly, the fact it is very large may be very advantageous to me, but depending on how deep we want to travel to find that desired look, it may be difficult to travel such large distances with all the heavy filming equipment and props. Furthermore, the valuable time spent travelling through the forest would be used up wastefully when I need to allocate the majority of the time to actually filming, especially during this time of year when the daylight is only about for so long and I'll need to make the most of it. If we choose to film in the shallower areas of the forest, we would likely be near a main road which will be very problematic. Firstly, the sound of traffic may be heard in the audio, which will ruin the dialogue scenes or the fictional world I'm trying to create. Furthermore, depending on the sparsity of the trees, the main road may appear in the background of the shot, which will, again, ruin the world I'm trying to create.
Secondly, despite there being sparse areas in the forest, there are some very confined areas. This will restrict movement and may even get in the way of obtaining a good shot because of the inability to manoeuvre into a suitable angle or distance.
Furthermore, as a high profile forest, it is a target for a lot of hikers, dog walkers and just pedestrians in general. Although the sheer size will prevent chances of us encountering these hikers, particularly if we avoid pathways and public routes if we do encounter people they could disrupt the filming and distract my cast. Furthermore, if they walk into frame, then we will have to redo that entire shot once they have gone which will be very inconvenient and use up valuable time.
Another issue that may arise with this location is the fact that, although local to me, is still too far to walk and would, therefore, require transport. As no public transport runs through this area, I will need to acquire a lift off somebody, which requires relying on another person's schedule which may be risky.
While it is local to me, it may not necessarily be convenient for my cast. This is something to consider.
Wayland Wood, Watton
Wayland Wood is an ancient woodland local to me. Wayland Wood has a very old history and is the home to the famous folklore tale, the subject of a short film produced by the Walt Disney Company, 'The Babes In The Wood', where the ghosts of the children featured in the fairy tale are said to allegedly 'haunt the woods'. The nature reserve contains an abundance of varied vegetation, terrain and trees. It mostly contains confined areas, however, does include multiple fields and meadows nearby. Moreover, there is plenty of wildlife and many flowers growing in the woodland, most notably bluebells, so it is a very pretty woodland.
What are the Advantages of Using this Location?
The first thing that makes it suitable is the fact that it's a nature reserve and, therefore, won't contain any industrial or tourist-oriented features, eg. gift shops or large signs. This is appropriate because the film is supposed to be set in a blank-canvas kind of world so any sign of other life won't fit very well. Furthermore, it will reduce the chance of running into pedestrians as it is not the subject of tourism and therefore filming won't be disrupted by passersby.
It's remote and away from the surrounding town and village, therefore won't have any everyday background noises or any industrial developments in view.
Secondly, it's very convenient. Driving to it would take approximately five minutes and it is within walking distance - although 3 miles away so may prove difficult when hauling the heavy equipment.
It's quite a small woodland and therefore wouldn't require too much travelling to find a good spot for filming. It's a very beautiful woodland, particularly in the summertime.
What are the Disadvantages of Using this Location?
This location carries many drawbacks, for example, it's quite a small woodland in contrast to others and therefore will increase the chance of encountering pedestrians. Furthermore, it would mean that finding the 'perfect' spot will be more difficult when there's less woodland to choose from. Not only will the size be quite problematic, but the density of it will too. It's quite a compact woodland and, therefore, manoeuvring around trying to achieve the perfect angle will be quite hard in between the compact trees. The fact the trees are so close may prevent enough light from entering, which will detriment the final footage as it may be too dark to see or too noisy. Furthermore, low-key lighting may be dark for the emotional themes I'm trying to address.
Another problem surrounding Wayland Wood is the fact that it is quite popular among dog watchers and bird-watchers. This would mean that it's very likely pedestrians will disrupt filming by walking on set or distracting my cast. Given the size of the wood, any visitors in the wood will most probably stumble upon us filming and waste time by ruining our shots that we'd have to re-film. If I decide to leave them in the shot this will completely destroy the world I've created in my film.
Another disadvantage may be that, while it is conveniently close-by to me, it may not be close to my cast.
RAF Airfield, Watton/Griston
The Watton airfield is a former Royal Airforce station that was used actively by the American Forces and the RAF as a bomber airfield during the Second World War. Now reduced to farmland, it is scattered with collections of pine trees, mounds, a runway and turntable and ruminants of old wartime buildings.
What are the Advantages of Using this Location?
One of the main reasons this location is useful is that it is only a few yards from my house and is therefore extremely convenient to use.
It is useful to use because it contains a range of different sceneries. For example, plain fields, high grasses and forests. This is useful as it provides lots of choices when filming so that I am not restricted to one type of location.
I am very familiar with the location and therefore won't have to spend too much time trying to find a place to film, I know where everything is and therefore can get straight into filming, saving time.
The location is convenient to the look I'm trying to achieve because I want to make it look like the English countryside.
What are the Disadvantages of Using this Location?
Because it has been transformed into farmland, it is now private land. The owners don't have an issue with people using the airfield as a method to get from place to place, however, they may be a little suspicious by extended activity on there, as there has been a history of crimes performed on the farmland eg. fires. This would put availability at risk.
Furthermore, even though the location is local and convenient to me, it may not necessarily be convenient and easy to get to for my cast, which is problematic.
Watton Sports Centre & Loch Neaton, Watton
Watton Sports Centre is a leisure centre located near the centre of the market town of Watton. It features spacious fields, as well as a small lake coined 'Loch Neaton'.
What are the Advantages of Using this Location?
This location is suitable to use because it is situated very locally to me and is therefore easy to access. I am also very familiar with this location which is convenient as it will save time spent finding a spot and familiarising myself with the place that I can dedicate to filming.
Another reason is that it contains a variety of different terrains, for example, a loch, a field and a forest. This will be useful when setting up as it offers a variety of choices as to where exactly would be best to film. Similarly, the field is quite large, meaning there is plenty of space to move around in and set up my desired shot.
What are the Disadvantages of Using this Location?
This location may be unsuitable because it is high profile and, therefore, the target of many dog walkers, athletes, bird-watchers and so on. It is also often used by sports clubs. This is a problem because it increases the risk of filming being disrupted by passersby. Getting in the background of the footage or audio or even just distracting or disheartening the cast may also be a risk.
Not only is the practicality of the location an issue, but the look of it is too. Being a public space used frequently, the grounds are very well kept. This may be a problem as it will look quite artificial and, therefore, not fitting for my film.
Furthermore, this location, although local to me, may be out-of-the-way for my cast. This may be a problem to consider.
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