FAQS
Here are some of the most common questions we get asked. If you can't find the answer to a question you have, just drop us a line!
Where are you based?
We're based in Leighton Buzzard which is just outside Milton Keynes.
Does this mean you only work in London?
Not at all. While prices include travel to shoots based within the M25, Will is able to travel further afield if you are happy to pay petrol costs priced at 0.45 pence per mile.
Am I responsible for finding my own locations?
Yes. While we can offer advice and make suggestions about suitable locations it is the client's responsibility to source these. This is not as tricky as it may initially seem...most people will often use their own homes to base the entire shoot utilising kitchens, bedrooms, hallways, living rooms etc. You can then look for other suitable locations in the surrounding areas if you wish (parks, alleyways, woodland etc).
Some of your scenes are shot in cafes and pubs. How does that happen?
It's often a case of just asking nicely. Most cafe owners / landlords will be understanding if you ask before hand and explain what it's for...perhaps you can buy lunch there and offer to leave a positive review on Google. Alternatively people might have friends or family who have connections with certain buildings and can arrange to shoot on the premises. Think about who you know and what spaces you might be able to arrange before writing / sourcing your scenes.
Are sound levels at my location important?
Very. Make sure that wherever you choose to shoot that we can control the environment as best as possible. That means avoid roadworks or locations near main roads if you can. If you are lucky enough to have sourced a cafe or pub then ask if it's possible to turn the music off during shooting.
Who will be there at my shoot? Is it a big crew?
All reels are shot by Will Kenning who operates as a one man crew. Will brings all the sound, camera and light kit that is needed and the results will be as per the examples listed on this site. This is the only way we can offer packages at an affordable price, and actually enables optimum speed and flexibility. The only exception to this rule is the TRIO PACKAGE where the actor not in the scene is required to operate the boom. (This speeds things up to allow us to shoot 6 scenes in one day).
How long does it take to shoot a scene?
All scenes are allocated a 2 hour shooting window. We would also need to allow a bit of time in between scenes for you to change your costume / make up / have a cup of tea. So if you are booked in for a THREE SCENE PACKAGE for example we might film scene 1 from 10-12pm, scene 2 from 12:30-2:30pm, and scene three from 3-5pm. We can be flexible with start and end times and will design your schedule with you before shooting, although we do ask to avoid long gaps between shooting scenes where possible.
Can you shoot in the rain?
No. While this is possible for larger crews it's not at this budget level. Please ensure that you have a plan B location for each outdoor scene in case of bad weather. We can always be as flexible as possible when it comes to shooting outside and it's often just a matter or shifting the schedule to shoot outdoors during the fine weather and indoors during the rain.
How long does it take to edit my reel?
All reels will be returned no later than 2 weeks after the shoot date. This can often be sooner but this is dependent on our edit schedule.
Will you provide any direction on the day?
Will is a professional director of commercials, film and theatre. He's happy to provide as much (or as little) guidance on the day as you feel you need. There's always plenty of time to rehearse and block the scene before we roll the camera. There's no pressure to complete the scene in a limited number of takes, it's all about making sure you feel completely comfortable.
How long should a scene be?
Economy in showreels is vital. We're not looking to tell a story with a beginning, middle and an end...just get to the meat of you doing your best acting on camera. For this reason we strongly advise that scenes run at 45 seconds each, with 1 minute being the maximum. If you have your heart set on filming a 2 minute piece, this is possible but will be charged as 2 scenes.
What happens when my reel is returned, can I make changes?
Once your reel is completed we will upload the cut to a private Vimeo link for you to review. We will put your scenes in the order that we think will serve you best but if you'd like to switch the order around that's no problem. In terms of making individual changes within scenes, you are entitled to one round of changes within the package price. Changes requested after this time will be charged by time taken at a rate of £70 per hour. However, we do respectfully ask you to remember that we have already selected the best takes and there may be reasons beyond our control why things cannot be changed (continuity errors, sound problems etc).
When is payment due?
A deposit is required of £100 to secure your booking (£150 for TRIO packages) which is then deducted from your final invoice which is only payable on completion of your reel. Once your invoice is paid in full you will be provided with your HD files, inclusive of a low res version should you wish to upload to sites like mandy.com which has a 200mb limit.
What happens if I get an audition / sick on my shoot date?
Don't worry, if something beyond your control makes it impossible to shoot on the scheduled shoot date we just postpone to the next available date. The deposit is only non refundable if you book and then choose to cancel outright.
We're based in Leighton Buzzard which is just outside Milton Keynes.
Does this mean you only work in London?
Not at all. While prices include travel to shoots based within the M25, Will is able to travel further afield if you are happy to pay petrol costs priced at 0.45 pence per mile.
Am I responsible for finding my own locations?
Yes. While we can offer advice and make suggestions about suitable locations it is the client's responsibility to source these. This is not as tricky as it may initially seem...most people will often use their own homes to base the entire shoot utilising kitchens, bedrooms, hallways, living rooms etc. You can then look for other suitable locations in the surrounding areas if you wish (parks, alleyways, woodland etc).
Some of your scenes are shot in cafes and pubs. How does that happen?
It's often a case of just asking nicely. Most cafe owners / landlords will be understanding if you ask before hand and explain what it's for...perhaps you can buy lunch there and offer to leave a positive review on Google. Alternatively people might have friends or family who have connections with certain buildings and can arrange to shoot on the premises. Think about who you know and what spaces you might be able to arrange before writing / sourcing your scenes.
Are sound levels at my location important?
Very. Make sure that wherever you choose to shoot that we can control the environment as best as possible. That means avoid roadworks or locations near main roads if you can. If you are lucky enough to have sourced a cafe or pub then ask if it's possible to turn the music off during shooting.
Who will be there at my shoot? Is it a big crew?
All reels are shot by Will Kenning who operates as a one man crew. Will brings all the sound, camera and light kit that is needed and the results will be as per the examples listed on this site. This is the only way we can offer packages at an affordable price, and actually enables optimum speed and flexibility. The only exception to this rule is the TRIO PACKAGE where the actor not in the scene is required to operate the boom. (This speeds things up to allow us to shoot 6 scenes in one day).
How long does it take to shoot a scene?
All scenes are allocated a 2 hour shooting window. We would also need to allow a bit of time in between scenes for you to change your costume / make up / have a cup of tea. So if you are booked in for a THREE SCENE PACKAGE for example we might film scene 1 from 10-12pm, scene 2 from 12:30-2:30pm, and scene three from 3-5pm. We can be flexible with start and end times and will design your schedule with you before shooting, although we do ask to avoid long gaps between shooting scenes where possible.
Can you shoot in the rain?
No. While this is possible for larger crews it's not at this budget level. Please ensure that you have a plan B location for each outdoor scene in case of bad weather. We can always be as flexible as possible when it comes to shooting outside and it's often just a matter or shifting the schedule to shoot outdoors during the fine weather and indoors during the rain.
How long does it take to edit my reel?
All reels will be returned no later than 2 weeks after the shoot date. This can often be sooner but this is dependent on our edit schedule.
Will you provide any direction on the day?
Will is a professional director of commercials, film and theatre. He's happy to provide as much (or as little) guidance on the day as you feel you need. There's always plenty of time to rehearse and block the scene before we roll the camera. There's no pressure to complete the scene in a limited number of takes, it's all about making sure you feel completely comfortable.
How long should a scene be?
Economy in showreels is vital. We're not looking to tell a story with a beginning, middle and an end...just get to the meat of you doing your best acting on camera. For this reason we strongly advise that scenes run at 45 seconds each, with 1 minute being the maximum. If you have your heart set on filming a 2 minute piece, this is possible but will be charged as 2 scenes.
What happens when my reel is returned, can I make changes?
Once your reel is completed we will upload the cut to a private Vimeo link for you to review. We will put your scenes in the order that we think will serve you best but if you'd like to switch the order around that's no problem. In terms of making individual changes within scenes, you are entitled to one round of changes within the package price. Changes requested after this time will be charged by time taken at a rate of £70 per hour. However, we do respectfully ask you to remember that we have already selected the best takes and there may be reasons beyond our control why things cannot be changed (continuity errors, sound problems etc).
When is payment due?
A deposit is required of £100 to secure your booking (£150 for TRIO packages) which is then deducted from your final invoice which is only payable on completion of your reel. Once your invoice is paid in full you will be provided with your HD files, inclusive of a low res version should you wish to upload to sites like mandy.com which has a 200mb limit.
What happens if I get an audition / sick on my shoot date?
Don't worry, if something beyond your control makes it impossible to shoot on the scheduled shoot date we just postpone to the next available date. The deposit is only non refundable if you book and then choose to cancel outright.
