Pre-Production: Locations

The search for appropriate locations has changed a great deal over time.  Now that we have finished our final version of the script (which can be found in our Pre-Production Book), we have a clearer understanding of what locations are needed to create the pilot for Young & Famous. 

Location For Filming

Location One: Annie & Dean’s House in Farling Bay

Annie & Dean live in an end of terrace semi detached house.  It is important that they live in this type of property because their characters came from a mundane background where they are still trying to achieve the dream of the detached home.   

It is also important that the location is considered the ‘normal home’ so that it highlights how the children are more successful and wealthy compared to Annie & Dean.  

All of the inside shots will be filmed in a detached house because there will be more space to move comfortably and it will allow the actors to not feel cramped, meaning they will be able to give a better more natural performance.  This location will be Laura’s house because our budget will not permit us to rent an Air B-n-B or other rentable houses.  It also works best for what is needed as it’s important it has a homely feel and that would require lots of furniture and personal touches.  It also allows for more freedom with the filming process as there are less restrictions compared to renting somewhere.   This house works well because there is a lot of natural light, which is needed for this sitcom to work well.   

To tackle the issue of needing to be in a semi-detached property, using photoshop skills and techniques, the outside of the detached house will become a semi detached house.  It was decided to do it this way as it looks like it belongs in a village setting and will match the outside that can be seen from shots through windows and when the front door is open.  

Location 2: Farling Bay Beach

This will be shots of the setting of where Young & Famous is set, in Farling Bay Village.  Due to this being a seaside village it is important to find a beach setting to get these atmospheric shots.

There are multiple options of where filming can take place on the beaches in Kent.  The most local to the main location (Location One) is Minster Beach on the Isle of Sheppey.  This is a pebbly beach with many secluded areas where filming could be possible.  There are sandy beaches in Ramsgate and Margate also however this could be more difficult to cope with large amounts of equipment.

In order to film here the appropriate filming licenses will be required.  To do this an application will need to be filled out through the Kent Film Office to get permissions for filming on public grounds.

Location 3: Marie’s House

Marie’s house needs to be a fairly large and to show that she is a wealthy and successful woman. There is a location in Walderslade that has given permission for Young & Famous to be shot there.

For the scenes of Marie’s house, only the exterior will be needed. Marie’s house needs to have gates and a large driveway to represent how Marie is shutting Annie & Dean out of her and her family’s life.  The location that has been sourced has these attributes and will therefore be perfect for acting as Marie’s house.

Location 4: Conference Room

When all the characters of Young & Famous are first introduced it is within a conference meeting and party after the launch of Marie’s first fashion magazine. There are posters of Marie and her magazine surrounding the room, along with a buffet table decorated with food and alcoholic beverages.  This will be filmed in the project space in Rochester’s UCA as it is an open space and all legalities in regards to filming are already sorted. All that would be needed would be permission from the University to use the room for the proposed date.

Location 5: Annie & Dean’s Car

This is a minor location and is used for when Annie & Dean have revelations throughout the show.  It will be filmed in an old green Nissan Micra as it represents who the characters are and shows them as no more than the ordinary retired couple.  This is significant because Annie & Dean are trying to be young & famous and by owning a car such as a Nissan Micra shows that they really aren’t achieving this.  When filming takes place, it will only be inside the car when it is stationary as it could prove to be not only difficult but also dangerous to film in a moving vehicle.