FILMING ESSENTIALS: HIRE OFFICE SPACES LONDON
Hiring office spaces for productions and shoots are an essential aspect of the filming industry. Not only are these versatile spaces used for settings and scenes themselves, but they can at times be sought for production rooms, holding spaces, prop rooms and even unit bases. Behind the scenes of every major production will be a large cohort of crew who need office space to manage and organise the runnings of the day and when the pressure is on, these spaces become invaluable havens for the often over worked and stressed out behind the scenes workers who bring our stories to life. In a nut shell, office space matters for the filming world and below we outline the key considerations for scouting and using them.
Creative Vision: If an office space is being scouted for a scene or backdrop, then the creative team in charge will have specific features in mind when it comes to the selection of an office space. Does the script demand a modern, glass and open plan office space to give a sleek high powered feel? Or are we looking for a dingy, windowless room that speaks to the loneliness of corporate life? If there is a unique vision, then location managers will most likely need to hop in the car and scout to find something that fits the brief. As office spaces are commercial in nature, a lot of this searching can be done online through location libraries or Google, but when specificity calls so does the road. If the vision is the most important part of the brief, then this will be the most difficult aspect to secure and therefore where a location manager will spend most of their time.
Geography: Once the creative element has been satisfied or if the office is needed for functional production needs, then the next important consideration will be the location of the office. To be economical, most location managers or production companies will do their best to find either multi-use spaces or locations within close proximity of each other or major film studios, to ensure travel between shots is minimised. It’s no good finding the perfect office space if that space is on Mars. Production offices will want to be ideally within fifteen minutes driving of shoot location hubs so that the crew are never too far away in case of an emergency and office spaces that can double as hallways for walk through shots and other smaller bits are always advantageous.
Availability: This is a big one. As most office spaces are designed for commercial or trade reasons, filming can often be a subsidiary form of income and so location managers must ensure that offices are available for shoot days or for ongoing production facilities. When looking at location libraries, production companies and location managers must ensure that any listings they are interested in actually have good availability, rather than piecemeal weekend work. All office spaces listed with Silverstein Locations are available for filming on a regular basis, pending bookings, however it can be frustrating when enquiries are made for other office spaces and these places can only offer minimal hours due to their primary trade. Of course, many businesses are open to relocating for the right budget, but ideally there will be a space to suit all needs.
Electricity: Lastly, if hiring out active office spaces for film and TV, then production companies will need to be mindful of office space electricity policies. Films can use a lot of power, what with the lighting, microphones and cameras, and as such, some businesses may not be able to provide free reign on power. When approaching an active office for film use, production companies should consider this and pitch their proposals accordingly.
Silverstein Locations is proud to work with a host of wonderful office spaces both in London and across the UK, perfect for stills, commercials, corporate videos, film and TV. Should you be interested in hiring one of these spaces or have a specific idea in mind for your next project then do not hesitate to reach out.
