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Without wanting to give too much away...

Someone has asked me to scout out possible locations to film some interviews for a forthcoming DVD/Blu-ray release.

My feelings are that as most of the people concerned almost certainly live in London or the surrounding area, then somewhere in the Herts/Bucks/Berks area might be best.

Does anyone have any details or indeed experience of hotels in that general area that hire out function rooms at a reasonable rate? I think hiring a proper studio will probably prove to be too expensive, but a nice reasonably quiet function room should do the trick. Plus, of course, there would be plenty of car parking space and facilities for the various interviewees to get 'refreshed'. Obviously I shall be doing a certain amount of 'googling' over the next few days, but any pointers would be gratefully received!

FAB !!!

The Bonnington Hotel (Southampton Row) has great experience of such functions. I can recommend it.

Indeed, Jim, but I believe it is now a Hilton...

George

George Geddes wrote:Indeed, Jim, but I believe it is now a Hilton...

Very possibly... after all, Hilton have bought some or all of the UK Jury's Inn group.

But it seems that the Bonnington is still trading under the same name:

http://www.londonhotelsite.com/hotel_london/Bonnington_Hotel.htm

drakula63 wrote: Herts/Bucks/Berks area might be best. . . function rooms . . . plenty of car parking space and facilities for the various interviewees to get 'refreshed'.

The car parking aspect makes central London venues difficult, both because of fearsome parking charges, and because of the Congestion Charge on every car (which includes the tech crew, who will have gear to bring).

You have to consider what will be seen behind the interviewees when on camera. Function rooms usually have to double as conference / seminar rooms so it may be difficult to find a section of wall that does not have trunking, fire notices, switch boxes and other clutter. Will drapes on rails be brought in to provide a backcloth? If so, does the room have sufficient width and height to avoiding shooting off on a wide shot?

If the room has windows to the outside, consider where the sun will be as the day progresses. Will it shine in the interviewees eyes? Will a sideways sun give big nose shadows? Will the sun dodging behind clouds give a constantly changing exposure for the camera, making continuity difficult? Don't rely on blinds, the sun can still creep through, with the slats leaving patterns.

If the room is to be lit totally artificially, is there sufficient height to get in tall lighting stands, thus avoiding having key lights in people's eyes? Will there be sufficient space behind the interviewees to put in back lighting (essential for good portraiture)? Is the interviewer to be seen in shot? Full face? Over the shoulder? More problems when putting in lighting. Don't rely on the (normally overhead) room lighting - You can get deep eye socket shadows and there are aspects called 'colour temperature' and 'colour spectrum' from domestic/commercial lighting which can give most unpleasant skin tones.

A function room will normally have stackable banqueting chairs. If these are to be 'relaxed' interviews, will armchairs / easy chairs / sofas have to be provided from somewhere? Make sure they are not made of a material that 'squeaks' when the interviewee shifts in his/her seat. Avoid swivel chairs like the plague (unless you are dealing with television professionals who know how to sit still unless changing shot).

Function rooms are rarely soundproof. Where is the nearest airport? Where is the nearest main road (emergency vehicle sirens)? is the corridor outside on the route to the kitchen (catering trolley noise)? Will you be able to rig a red 'recording ' light outside, and will you have enough crew that someone can be stationed outside the door to stop entry during recording?

If there is a string of interviewees, then you will also need to book a room as a Green Room with tea/coffee on hand. You mustn't expect people to wait in the room where the interviews are taking place. They want to chat (quite naturally). Don't let them get to the bar until after their interview has taken place.

Lots of things to think about!

Ray

Thanks everyone.

There was no sign of the Bonnington name last November when I went down Southampton Row. It is listed as Doubletree by Hilton - West End on the Hilton website.

George

How about the Met Police Club in Bushey (Watford)?

Iain Purdon wrote:How about the Met Police Club in Bushey (Watford)?

Thanks but to be honest I prefer to keep as far away as possible from the police and their establishments!

The Met Police Club at Bushey is not a police station! It's a social club like thousands of others around the country, but a bit more posh because it's paid for by London's council-tax payers. The Pipeline Convention was held there for eight years and in all that time I never saw a policemen in uniform. There are three other police social clubs around London, at Ember Court (near Esher), The Warren (near Bromley), and at Chigwell.

Bushey is near the M1 and M25, with a vast car park and a bar - it could be what you are looking for. Next to the ballroom on the first floor is a medium-sized meeting room that might suit, with other rooms (for a green room) nearby. There is a lift to the first floor - officially for wheelchairs, but OK for shifting gear.