Film: Harry Brown Prequel
Location Report for Dartford Heath
Address:
Heath Lane
Dartford
Kent
DA1 2TN
Completed: 26/1/2013
by David Owootomo
How to get there:
Buses - 423, 429, 433
From M25:
Regarding location settings, I have went to Dartford Heath to inspect its suitability in being used for the Harry Brown prequel war scene. The location is very efficient in terms of travel (as seen as above). The area has a large amount of field filled with acid grassland this helps convey a realistic army battlefield needed for the scene. The field area is generally plain with a few dead trees and pathways, I will not film around pathways as it is not really a relevant aspect of mis-en-scene required in the scene and is also un-reallistic for a war setting. Dead trees are also around the Heath, these can be included in filming as they add to the more dark, gritty hostile mood in which I want to convey through this war scene.
Dartford Heath is regularly checked daily but a possible issue could be animal feces,birds often inhabit the area. People often also walk dogs in and cats often roam around too. The general public won't really be a problem, reason being due to the fact most people use pathways and I will be using the actual grassland to film. Also the Heath is generally quite quiet.
Gaining electrical power is a problem, the area is quite remote. Also as its an external location electrical input systems are hard to find. To handle this dilemma I will make-sure all equipment can be wirelessly functioned and are fully charged prior to filming. Depending on weather conditions will dictate if I use artificial or natural light, for this contingency I will bring artificial lighting just in-case.
The grassland being used as a war scene will be quite suitable and especially the fact I'm setting the scene in Northern Ireland - the atmospheric conditions of Northern Ireland and England are both similar. The use of farmer characters links well with the grassland being present in the scene and helps convey the wreckage of a farm now being used as war territory. I may need to make a few adjustments like adding a Northern Ireland flag and using effective depth of field to make the grassland look less undivided. I will purposely use the most unkempt part of the field to communicate to the audience that its a war. I will also make sure there is no modern aspects of mis-en-scene in my 9 key frames as the scene is set in 1950s England.
Contact regarding location use is Helen Clark (Press and Design Officer), who is part of Dartford Borough council (owners of Dartford Heath) and her contact number is 01322343684. I have consulted with her concerning using Dartford Heath as a location and she has given the go ahead. Parking is free all day and disability access is also provided into and around Dartford Heath.
