Transforming Spaces for TV & Film
In the world of film and television, the setting is often as important as the characters themselves. Whether it’s a stately home, a city apartment, or a unique outdoor location, the surroundings help set the tone and bring the story to life. At Totom, we’ve had the pleasure of working on location for some exciting projects recently, each with its own unique challenges and requirements. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at our involvement in several recent on-location productions for TV and film.
Scoop: A Royal Illusion and a Manhattan Makeover
One of our standout projects recently was working on Scoop for Netflix. For this production, we were tasked with creating a convincing replica of the Buckingham Palace gates, subsequently installed in a car park in Hayes Park. The gates were filmed against a green screen, allowing the scene to blend seamlessly with real footage of the palace, creating the illusion of being at the actual Buckingham Palace. This was no small feat; building a replica of such an iconic structure required meticulous attention to detail. The gates had to look grand and imposing, even in a less-than-regal setting. It’s a perfect example of how movie magic can turn an ordinary space on location into something extraordinary.
In addition to the gates, we also transformed a London apartment doorway into a facade reminiscent of Epstein’s apartment in New York. Using the classic stone façade of Dilke House, we built an ornate piece to sit above the doorway, instantly transporting viewers from the heart of London to Manhattan. Creating this transformation involved careful design to ensure that every architectural detail contributed to the New York illusion, making it a key element in bringing the story to life.
The Beekeeper: Bringing Tyringham Hall to the Dorset Coast
Next up is The Beekeeper where we recreated a portion of the beautiful Tyringham Hall on the Dorset coast. The original location, a stunning stately home, couldn’t be moved, but we made it happen in the movie! To achieve this, we built a replica section of the hall’s interior and exterior, right on the coastline at Kimmeridge Bay. This gave the illusion that the building was perched by the sea, creating a powerful and dramatic setting.
One of the film’s key scenes involved the lead star, Jason Statham, jumping through a window! For the stunt work, we utilized sugar glass, ensuring a safe yet realistic break during the action sequence. Alongside this, we provided decorative boxes and additional set dressing for a party scene filmed at the original Tyringham Hall, adding a touch of elegance to the setting.
Entitled: A Comedy Filmed Across Manchester
For Entitled, a comedy made for Australian TV and released in the UK, we were tasked with creating a striking visual centrepiece for a garden scene – a tree stump. But this wasn’t just any ordinary stump; we sculpted it from polystyrene, ensuring it looked as though it had been rooted in the garden for decades. After careful design and installation in a Manchester location, the final result was a seamless integration with the natural surroundings, adding an organic, yet whimsical element to the set that appeared effortlessly real.
Insomnia: Transforming Real Spaces for Paramount+
Insomnia, a TV show on Paramount+, brought its own unique challenges. We were asked to build realistic settings on location for two very different environments. First, we built a reception desk for scenes set at Hemel Hempstead Hospital, creating a professional and functional-looking space essential for the authenticity of the healthcare setting.
Next, we were tasked with transforming a kitchen in a real home; Queen Anne Bayford house. Originally a country-style kitchen, we converted it into a more modern space, fitting the show’s aesthetic needs. The transformation involved updating cabinetry and decor, resulting in a sleek, contemporary look that aligned perfectly with the show’s vision.
Einstein and the Bomb: Building Einstein’s Hut
For Einstein and the Bomb (Netflix), we built a replica of Albert Einstein’s hut in a farmer’s field in Harefield near Uxbridge. This replica mirrored the original hut Einstein lived in while in Norfolk (Cromer), creating a setting that felt historically accurate. The rustic, weathered appearance of the hut played a crucial role in bringing this chapter of Einstein’s life to the screen.
Geek Girl: Fashion Meets TV at Porchester Hall
Our work on Geek Girl, a Netflix TV show, focused on the smaller, but equally impactful, elements of set design. In this case, we built scenic props for a location in London, adding character and depth to the setting. A standout piece was the pyramid-style fashion display at Porchester Hall, showcasing stylish costumes in a visually striking arrangement that captured the essence of the production. These displays not only highlighted the fashion but also provided a dramatic and immersive backdrop for the scenes.
Conclusion: Totom Building Diverse and Dynamic Sets
These projects showcase the diversity of our work at Totom. Whether it’s recreating historical architecture, constructing illusionary spaces, or designing unique props, each project brings its own set of challenges. It’s these challenges that make our work exciting, and we look forward to continuing to bring creative visions to life on location across the country.
If you’re interested in learning more about our set construction services or have an upcoming project that could benefit from our expertise, feel free to get in touch with us.
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