Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Joy of Low Budget Film Making
THE FOLLOWING IS A TRANSCRIPT OF E-MAIL CORRESPONDANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE ROYAL PARKS FILM OFFICE...
Hi,
I'm shooting a low-budget, self-funded film and would like to shoot a section of it in St.James' park. Specifically, around Duck island cottage.
Please find enclosed :
An application form, A detailed shooting proposal,
a copy of my Producers public liability insurance and a risk assessment.
I look forward to hearing from you soon
Frazer Churchill
Hi Frazer,
Your email has been passed on to me at The Royal Parks. If you would like to film in St. James's Park we will need you to complete our application form as it does differ from Westminster's. I have attached the application and also a copy of our rate card to give you an indication of what the fees will be.
Please contact me if you need any additional information.
Kind regards,
(film officer)
Hi (film officer);
As requested, please find attached my application for shooting in St. James' Park.
I have noted your fees and was wondering whether there was any
room for negotiation, the budget for this film is all my own money
and obviously I'm trying to make it go as far as possible.
I'm applying for funding but won't hear back from funding bodies for weeks.
I will also be submitting a proposal to shoot in Primrose Hill Park on the Morning of the same day.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Frazer
Hi Frazer,
I have attached the application and also a copy of our rate card to give you an indication of what the fees will be.
Please contact me if you need any additional information. There are no discounts unless you are a student.
Kind regards,
(Film Officer)
Hi (film officer);
Please find attached my proposal for shooting a short film in Primrose Hill Park.
This is linked with my proposal for shooting in St.James' Park, on the
same day.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Frazer Churchill
Hi Frazer,
Thank you for your email.
I have had a response from the St. James's Park office on your application and I'm afraid we cannot give permission for the filming to go ahead. The cottage on Duck Island is privately owned, as is the gated area around the cottage. The Park Office suggested that you might try contacting the RSPB to see if any of their locations are available.
Would you still like to go ahead with the Primrose Hill section of your request?
Kind regards,
(Film Officer)
Hi (Film Officer),
Yes, I'd like to go ahead with the Primrose Hill section of the request.
Do you know who owns the cottage? As I could apply directly to them.
It seems a little unusual that permission is flatly denied with no reason given.
Frazer
Hi Frazer,
You will need to contact the St. James's Park office to find out who owns the cottage - their number is 020 7930 1793 - however I understand that it is used for residential purposes, rather than public purposes so they may not be happy to provide you with these details.
Also, since the cottage is not actually a bird sanctuary the Park Office may be reluctant to have it portrayed as one.
Kind regards,
(Film Officer)
Hi Frazer,
Thank you for your email.
I have checked with the Park Office responsible for Primrose Hill, but I'm afraid we don't allow anything to be tied to the trees in any of our Parks. If the location of the Park you want to use isn't important to the story, I suggest that you try contacting Battersea Park. I'm not sure if they allow things to be tied to their trees either, but some of their rules and regulations are a little more relaxed than ours (their filming fees are lower too).
You can speak with **** at the Wandsworth Film Office on 020 7223 6241.
Kind regards,
(Film Officer)
Hi (Film Officer);
The particular tree that I want to use in Primrose Hill was the result
of a 4 week search of every green space in London, so obviously I'm a bit disappointed.
the tree in question has a particular geographic configuration which is unique. What would the answer be if I didn't tie anything to a tree?
Regards,
Frazer
Hi Frazer,
I'm sure Primrose Hill would be happy to consider your filming request if you weren't looking at tying anything to a tree. All of our trees are protected by our byelaws and we cannot contravene them for filming purposes.
If you would like to go ahead with you request, please give me details of exactly what you would like to do and I will check with the Park Manager to see if he is happy for the filming to go ahead. The fee will be £420 +VAT.
Kind regards,
(Film Officer)
Hi (Film Officer);
Just to follow up on my two applications to shoot in St. James' Park and Primrose Hill.
I can confirm I'd like to go ahead with the Primrose Hill application.
The details of the application remain broadly the same, with one exception : No-one will be tied to any trees.
With regards to the St.James application :
I have been in touch with the London Parks and Gardens Trust (who are the tenants) and they have no objection to me shooting at Duck Island cottage.
I spoke with ***** from St.James' Park office and she said that she had no objection to me shooting at Duck Island Cottage.
In light of these responses I would like to proceed with the St.James'
application.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Frazer Churchill
Hi Frazer,
I wasn't aware, from my discussion with ***, that you had discussed the request with ********. I'm sure that if she's happy for you to have access to the Cottage that this won't then be a problem. The reason I asked you about the donations box is because we can't allow anything to be hammered into the ground - so obviously better if it's free standing.
I'll get back to you when I've heard back from Primrose Hill and the St. James's Park Manager with regards to donation box etc.
Kind regards,
(Film Officer)
Hi Frazer,
I have heard back from the Primrose Hill Office. Unfortunately we do not allow cycling in the Park - we can also not allow a crossbow to be brought into the Park. Given that we can also not allow anything (or anyone) to be tied to any of the trees, would you still like to go ahead with this request? If you would, please can you give details of what you plan to do instead.
Kind regards,
(Film Officer)
Hi (Film Officer);
Given this set of circumstances there is no point me shooting in this park.
Thanks
Frazer
Hi Frazer,
I'm just writing up your licence agreement for the St. James's Park filming. I have spoken with Lee about access to the Cottage and Lee informs me that it was agreed that the actor could have access beyond the gate, but the camera crew and anyone else involved with the production will need to stay the Park side of the fence. I also understand that the Park Manager has requested that an in-depth risk assessment be completed before the filming can be licensed. If you do not have a risk assessment template there is one on our website (www.royalparks.gov.uk/business).
Kind regards,
(Film officer)
I did eventually make the film and shoot all the scenes I needed in London Parks.
They don’t make it easy…!
HATEMAIL : Playing at Festivals around the world
www.2fc.co.uk
Hi,
I'm shooting a low-budget, self-funded film and would like to shoot a section of it in St.James' park. Specifically, around Duck island cottage.
Please find enclosed :
An application form, A detailed shooting proposal,
a copy of my Producers public liability insurance and a risk assessment.
I look forward to hearing from you soon
Frazer Churchill
Hi Frazer,
Your email has been passed on to me at The Royal Parks. If you would like to film in St. James's Park we will need you to complete our application form as it does differ from Westminster's. I have attached the application and also a copy of our rate card to give you an indication of what the fees will be.
Please contact me if you need any additional information.
Kind regards,
(film officer)
Hi (film officer);
As requested, please find attached my application for shooting in St. James' Park.
I have noted your fees and was wondering whether there was any
room for negotiation, the budget for this film is all my own money
and obviously I'm trying to make it go as far as possible.
I'm applying for funding but won't hear back from funding bodies for weeks.
I will also be submitting a proposal to shoot in Primrose Hill Park on the Morning of the same day.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Frazer
Hi Frazer,
I have attached the application and also a copy of our rate card to give you an indication of what the fees will be.
Please contact me if you need any additional information. There are no discounts unless you are a student.
Kind regards,
(Film Officer)
Hi (film officer);
Please find attached my proposal for shooting a short film in Primrose Hill Park.
This is linked with my proposal for shooting in St.James' Park, on the
same day.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Frazer Churchill
Hi Frazer,
Thank you for your email.
I have had a response from the St. James's Park office on your application and I'm afraid we cannot give permission for the filming to go ahead. The cottage on Duck Island is privately owned, as is the gated area around the cottage. The Park Office suggested that you might try contacting the RSPB to see if any of their locations are available.
Would you still like to go ahead with the Primrose Hill section of your request?
Kind regards,
(Film Officer)
Hi (Film Officer),
Yes, I'd like to go ahead with the Primrose Hill section of the request.
Do you know who owns the cottage? As I could apply directly to them.
It seems a little unusual that permission is flatly denied with no reason given.
Frazer
Hi Frazer,
You will need to contact the St. James's Park office to find out who owns the cottage - their number is 020 7930 1793 - however I understand that it is used for residential purposes, rather than public purposes so they may not be happy to provide you with these details.
Also, since the cottage is not actually a bird sanctuary the Park Office may be reluctant to have it portrayed as one.
Kind regards,
(Film Officer)
Hi Frazer,
Thank you for your email.
I have checked with the Park Office responsible for Primrose Hill, but I'm afraid we don't allow anything to be tied to the trees in any of our Parks. If the location of the Park you want to use isn't important to the story, I suggest that you try contacting Battersea Park. I'm not sure if they allow things to be tied to their trees either, but some of their rules and regulations are a little more relaxed than ours (their filming fees are lower too).
You can speak with **** at the Wandsworth Film Office on 020 7223 6241.
Kind regards,
(Film Officer)
Hi (Film Officer);
The particular tree that I want to use in Primrose Hill was the result
of a 4 week search of every green space in London, so obviously I'm a bit disappointed.
the tree in question has a particular geographic configuration which is unique. What would the answer be if I didn't tie anything to a tree?
Regards,
Frazer
Hi Frazer,
I'm sure Primrose Hill would be happy to consider your filming request if you weren't looking at tying anything to a tree. All of our trees are protected by our byelaws and we cannot contravene them for filming purposes.
If you would like to go ahead with you request, please give me details of exactly what you would like to do and I will check with the Park Manager to see if he is happy for the filming to go ahead. The fee will be £420 +VAT.
Kind regards,
(Film Officer)
Hi (Film Officer);
Just to follow up on my two applications to shoot in St. James' Park and Primrose Hill.
I can confirm I'd like to go ahead with the Primrose Hill application.
The details of the application remain broadly the same, with one exception : No-one will be tied to any trees.
With regards to the St.James application :
I have been in touch with the London Parks and Gardens Trust (who are the tenants) and they have no objection to me shooting at Duck Island cottage.
I spoke with ***** from St.James' Park office and she said that she had no objection to me shooting at Duck Island Cottage.
In light of these responses I would like to proceed with the St.James'
application.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Frazer Churchill
Hi Frazer,
I wasn't aware, from my discussion with ***, that you had discussed the request with ********. I'm sure that if she's happy for you to have access to the Cottage that this won't then be a problem. The reason I asked you about the donations box is because we can't allow anything to be hammered into the ground - so obviously better if it's free standing.
I'll get back to you when I've heard back from Primrose Hill and the St. James's Park Manager with regards to donation box etc.
Kind regards,
(Film Officer)
Hi Frazer,
I have heard back from the Primrose Hill Office. Unfortunately we do not allow cycling in the Park - we can also not allow a crossbow to be brought into the Park. Given that we can also not allow anything (or anyone) to be tied to any of the trees, would you still like to go ahead with this request? If you would, please can you give details of what you plan to do instead.
Kind regards,
(Film Officer)
Hi (Film Officer);
Given this set of circumstances there is no point me shooting in this park.
Thanks
Frazer
Hi Frazer,
I'm just writing up your licence agreement for the St. James's Park filming. I have spoken with Lee about access to the Cottage and Lee informs me that it was agreed that the actor could have access beyond the gate, but the camera crew and anyone else involved with the production will need to stay the Park side of the fence. I also understand that the Park Manager has requested that an in-depth risk assessment be completed before the filming can be licensed. If you do not have a risk assessment template there is one on our website (www.royalparks.gov.uk/business).
Kind regards,
(Film officer)
I did eventually make the film and shoot all the scenes I needed in London Parks.
They don’t make it easy…!
HATEMAIL : Playing at Festivals around the world
www.2fc.co.uk
Mocked by the Monkey of Fate
I made this short last year for the smoke & Mirrors 48 Hour Film Festival : Mocked by the Monkey of Fate
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