Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1535796
D I S C L A I M E R | P E R S P E C T I V E 6 1 The Art Department used white card models as soon as we had our initial plans and elevations, to have a 3-dimensional, physical representation, that allows the director/DPs to discuss/understand where the scenes will be played alongside key light positions. We can add further rooms too, an office, utility room, consider the outside elements of the set too, garden and our backings. The backings turned out to be a masterclass of choice, lighting and quality VFX. Catherine's house was found on Elgin Crescent. It had everything: scale, character, the right kind of elegance. Some houses further down were a touch too grand, but this one—this was our anchor. Of course, finding the house was just the beginning. We had to meet the owners, negotiate with the council, inform the neighbors and keep everyone happy. A mountain of leaflets, countless cups of tea, multiple town hall meetings to simply be granted permission. The relationship with the owner quickly formed, as she witnessed her neighbor's car being reversed into by a member of the scout party! No damage. The ice was broken. Of course, the date in the schedule changed, due to COVID on the production, so the permissions process would need to be repeated… Stephen's House – Archway, North London Once Catherine's house was locked, our attention turned to Stephen's. Having found Catherine's house, we wanted to keep the exterior rhythm of Stephen's house similar, i.e., front doors on the righthand side of the elevation. End of terrace... The search ended just a few miles from base. In classic location fashion, the perfect house was discovered while walking away from one we didn't like. "There's a cafe down here, let's take a walk…" Past a launderette and a mini-mart—and there it was. The rhythm of the street, the texture of the brickwork, the way it sat on the corner…perfect. The house needed surprisingly little work. The shops next door, however, would keep us busy for a while. The layout for this style of Victorian terrace throughout London is very similar...just the proportions differed. The director and DP liked the location, which allowed the Art Department B. INTERIOR CATHERINE'S HOUSE, WHITE CARD MODEL, PRIOR TO LOCKING THE EXTERIOR, THE LAYOUT OF THE MODEL WAS FLIPPED ONCE THE EXTERIOR WAS FINALIZED. C. INTERIOR CATHERINE'S HOUSE, ACROSS DINING ROOM TO KITCHEN, SET PHOTO. D. INTERIOR CATHERINE'S HOUSE, WHITE CARD MODEL. E. INTERIOR CATHERINE'S HOUSE, ACROSS LIVING ROOM TO STAIRS AND BEDROOMS. BEDROOMS BUILT AS SEPARATE SETS. B E C D