Monday 26th July 2004
Roll Cameras
Just as well that I wasn’t wanting a travelcard this morning – my local newsagent was “closed for filming”. And the street outside (Uxbridge Road) was adorned with a black-out tab, film crews, an awning with a production crew having coffee (and talking with American accents), and lots of cables running everywhere. The side street had three not-really-OB-but-similar trucks parked up it, with all the cables snaking along the gutter between the newsagents and the trucks.
I wonder what made them choose that particular newsagents to film in? This didn’t look like a low-budget film (but not quite a Hollywood blockbuster either), and Uxbridge Road wouldn’t be the first place I’d think of for a film set. (Well, it would, but that’s because I live there!)
Ealing Studios films a shitload of commercials. They do a lot on Uxbridge road for some reason.
Comment by Sam — 27/7/2004 @ 4:02 pm
When I went past on the way home (well, I say past, but I walked through the middle of the set and between the cameras and the action
) the filming had moved outside, the number of trucks had easily trebled (and were now taking up two side streets), production crew were everywhere, and they were about to start filming a mini pony with a bright blue mane and tail (!?). I was too hungry to hang around, but at least the funky coloured pony should be easy to recognise in any films or adverts!
Comment by Andy Allan — 27/7/2004 @ 4:46 pm
They’ve always filmed “The Bill” around Croydon, and it’s normally just a couple of transit vans and about 5 people. But recently, there have been a lot of things filmed round here, but they look like massive film productions, not shitty adverts for Direct Line or 118 services. One time outside the library there were about 5 luton vans and an artic, with huge reflectors on poles with massive discharge lights (I think it was to make it look like it was a sunny day), camera tracks, a huge camera boom, proper Arri film cameras and lenses, and a car on a dolly being towed behind a massive pickup. I didn’t think there was anyway this could be an advert… but it was. Pretty massive budgets they must have now.
Comment by Andrew T — 21/8/2004 @ 10:01 am