Location and Set Recce

By Sophie Dewberry

• Location is important in films because it clarifies the genre and insinuates the themes that are about to be explored. If it is secluded we can expect that something bad is going to happen whereas if it were a busy school or town the audience assumes that there will be an everyday event about to occur.

• The setting adds certain atmospheres to the scene. It signifies the emotions that are about to be conveyed. For example a sunset on a beach could imply that the scene is for a romance film – you wouldn’t think of that being a place where paranormal activity would happen.

It is important to research which setting and location you want to use because you would need to ensure that it is suitable for your genre and also when that space would be available. Luckily for us, our perfect setting was at Lydia’s house so it was quite simple to find a time where we could go and film.

• We have decided to film a crime drama interrogation scene. The stereotypical setting used for interrogation is usually either at police station or somewhere quite isolated and mysterious to emphasis the secretivity within a case.

• In this kind of situation, the interrogator and suspect usually sit opposite each other at a table to create suspense and build the tension. This can help the filming by including lots of eyeline matches.

• The photos on the previous slide display our setting and location that we are going to use.

• We chose this location (a farm house in the countryside) because it is quite remote and separated from the public which is a sign that corrupt police may be involved.

• We believed that the setting is appropriate because the light above the table creates a mysterious atmosphere. We knew that low key lighting was key for a crime drama therefore this was suitable for us to use. The office itself was surrounded in newspaper clippings and files filled with documents which emphasised the detective theme. The window was our only source of natural light and the audience can see that outside of said window, there is an enclosed garden which conveys that we have separated the suspect from the outside world.

• We also felt that this kind of scene would be ideal when needing to do a shot reverse shot because the technique could include the surroundings and emphasis the choice of location.