Cheers,
needed to know if there are any licenses or problems with shooting video in the UK. Specifically some of the ruins or castles that are there.
I take it that the woods are similar to the united states? Can/have matching exteriors been done in the past.
I assume this would be a case-by case scenario, and I have done some searching on the web for info as well. I have seen that there are fees in some instances. Hey England- any info?

Jeff P.

Generally if you are shooting in public places theres no problems. If you go on the underground or some railway stations I have heard of people being asked for their permissions but it's nothing like in the states.

As for castles, ruins, stately homes etc, a lot of them are now owned or run by the National Trust who charge an entrance fee. I have shot a few "love story montages" for wedding videos without problems at these venues. As long as you pay the entrance fee. I was told by the last one that if I had phoned to let them know I wouldn't have been charged the entry fee! They aren't to keen on you filming the interiors of the stately homes though, security i guess.

WHere are you thinking of in particular?

Nowhere in particular yet. Scripting for a screenplay adaption of an older classic book. 1400's, jousting and all. I have a friend here who started learning sword combat at age 14. Now that he's 70, he's had quite a life- not to mention the company he started
<http://www.museumreplicas.com>

Having a ready supply of armor and weapons, as well as period costumes got the creative juices going.

Also, on a dryer note, we are looking to do some "standups" for some of his sword combat videos and looking into the feasibility of shooting at castle locations there.

Cheers,

Jeff Patnaude

Jeff,

I scouted locations for a version of Ivanhoe back in... 94 I think. If you buy a pass through the National Trust, or Heritage, then you save a bundle.

Do your research first. A lot of "castles" marked on the maps are only hillsides with rubble. Some of the more picturesque have tight security. Wales has some of the better ones as I recall.

Yeah, Hank Reinhardt, he's been around for a while. I used to joust for a living. It hurts.

Richard