Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1152740
K I N G L E A R | P E R S P E C T I V E 7 7 Pitstone Chalk Quarry The wasteland scenes were shot in a working chalk quarry near Tring, a vast desolate moonscape of grey. A solitary dead tree was placed to mark the route for Lear and his Fool to follow. Huge rain rigs and wind machines created the storm. In the distance, huge pieces of machinery sit like dinosaur skeletons. This is where Lear comes across the refugee camp. The camp needed to feel very real, not big, but the choreography was very important, as it's here Edgar is found hiding inside one of the tents. The colour palette was kept sombre, greys and dark blue. The scene takes place at night and this is where the descent into desaturation begins, so greys are preferred for that. A 20-foot steel shipping container was brought in for the scene inside the hovel, aged down heavily, and set up with an old mattress, a bench and a mirror. Less definitely than more! The light source inside the container is a portable gas heater. Again, heavy rain outside courtesy of special effects rain towers and an army ambulance with gurney finish off the scene. G D. RESEARCH BOARD FOR CHEQUERS, THE HOME OF THE PRIME MINISTER, SHOT AT HATFIELD HOUSE. A BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR FOR SOME VERY UGLY SCENES IN THE STORY. E. KING LEAR IN A SCENE SHOT IN THE ARMOURY AT HATFIELD HOUSE. F. THE GREAT HALL IN HATFIELD HOUSE DRESSED AS THE ENGLISH ARMY HQ, A ORIGINAL PORTRAIT OF QUEEN ELIZABETH I (THE RAINBOW PORTRAIT) HANGS IN THE BACKGROUND, NOW SURROUNDED BY WIPE BOARDS AND MILITARY MAPS. G. SKETCH FOR THE WILDERNESS, SET IN A LARGE CHALK QUARRY, AND THE HOVEL BECAME A REFUGEE CAMP BUILT IN THE SAME LOCATION FROM FOUND MATERIALS. E F