To find potential filming locations for the project, I looked at airbnb, as well as researched the science parks in the area. To ensure the locations fit the project, I first went through the script, noting down any requirements the locations would need to meet - other than being available on the filming dates and affordable within the budget - to be suitable for the project.
Requirements for Locations:
- Open plan house - so characters have enough space on floor to work, can move around, pace etc. - and so there is also room for filming equipment and crew
- Space in the bedroom for my intended opening tracking shot - and space to put a whiteboard which explains the concept of the multiverse, as well as a cabinet/space for Vera's alarm clock
- Large mirror in the bathroom so that a clear shot of Vera's reflection can be seen - this is important to the story as Vera looking at the difference between her reflection and Roni's leads to Vera realising what her overworking is doing to her and thus deciding to give up (the story's turning point)
- Ideally the living room and kitchen would be different rooms so characters can move between them - this is because a lot of scenes are set in Vera's living room so moving to the kitchen can help break these up so the characters are not constantly in the same room
- Not too stylised - Vera's house would be quite plain as Vera would be more interested in work than decorating her house - thus the house also needs to be quite small as Vera lives alone, and this would make it easier for her to upkeep, as Vera wouldn't want to spend time cleaning, when she could be working
- Wall space in living room for newspaper articles detailing Vera's career
From this, I created mood-boards for the locations I thought would most likely work for the project, further narrowing down the possibilities by creating pros and cons lists for these options - (this can be found on my blog under potential filming locations).
Using these lists I was able to finalise a possible apartment for Vera's house, and a science park for the lab location. The next step is to location recce these final locations with the director of photography to ensure they are fit for filming.
Using these lists I was able to finalise a possible apartment for Vera's house, and a science park for the lab location. The next step is to location recce these final locations with the director of photography to ensure they are fit for filming.
VERA'S HOUSE
Apartment in Whitstable
Logistics
Pros
Cons
- £73 per night
- 5 minute walk from station
- Possible to travel from London stations to Whitstable station from between £25-£40 - takes from 1hr 15m to 1hr 24m for train journey
Pros
- Spacious - room for Vera to work on the living room floor - large bedroom so has space for Vera to move around, and for the camera to execute the opening tracking shot
- Kitchen and living room, although close together, are two separate rooms so characters are able to move from room to room
- Plain and simple decor which fits Vera's characteristic of not spending much time on her home because she's always working
- Will need some set dressing, but there are shelves/cabinets which can be personalised/can hold books
- Dining table which can be converted into a desk - if Vera did have a dining table, she would probably not use it since she spends so much time at work, she wouldn't usually be home for meals - thus, she would probably use it as a desk since otherwise it wouldn't be useful to her
- Within budget
- Within walking distance to coffee shops and restaurants on main Whitstable high street, as well as the train station
Cons
- Small bathroom and small bathroom mirror - could be hard to film scene where Vera sees her reflection - but it could be possible to move the scene to another room or replace the mirror
- Potentially too coastal looking - but this could be fixed by removing some decor and set dressing
- Sofa is against wall - would need to change directing plan of tracking out from behind sofa for end shot, or move the sofa
- Have to climb stairs to reach apartment - could be difficult when bringing in equipment, but not impossible - could potentially need to check accessibility for this when on a location recce
- Listing says no pets - would need to ask owners about Vera's goldfish
THE LAB
Discovery Science Park
Logistics
Pros
Cons
- Filming costs not listed on website - but owners have agreed to talk about budget/costs
- 8 minute drive from Sandwich train station
- Train fares between £40 and £81 (£81 for anytime return) from London stations to Sandwich station
Pros
- Professional lab space
- Locations is available as a filming location
- Brightly lit - would contrast with and thus exaggerate how tired Vera becomes, helping to establish her exhaustion due to her overworking in the opening scenes
- Could film from outside through the glass into the corridor at night - would make an interesting wide shot if this was possible
Cons
- Train fare is very expensive - however, we only need to film there for one day