Location, location, location

Casting is OFFICIALLY over, and we have our full cast in place!! The reveal will happen soon, I promise.

But for now, it’s onto the next item on the to-do list. Finding a location for filming. As I go through this process, I thought it’d be cool to bring you into what exactly I’m looking for…and maybe, if I’m lucky, spark some ideas of locations you might know of or have a connection to (if you’re in the Netherlands, that is).

Setting the Scene:

Big Break takes place in an office, the office of the organization that’s being interviewed to showcase its newest educational program. Within the office, we follow the interview from room to room. As the realities of what’s happening at this organization become clearer, the rooms grow darker and eerier. The original shine and brightness of the main office suddenly disappear once we go below the surface, and into the depths of reality.

The rooms & inspo photos:

Main office area

• Large open space

• Big windows / natural light

Meeting room/classroom

• A smaller room that can be closed off

• Less natural light

• Space for 10 people at least, not more than 50

  

Hallway or stairwell

• Almost no light at all

  

Storage room/small room or Kitchen

• Fully closed off

• Walk-in freezer/space for a large freezer

• Shelves/space for shelving

• Artificial light

Production Logistics

All the rooms don’t have to be next to one another, but they need to be in the same building, and filming will take place when the building is quiet.

We need the space for 3 days of filming (currently scheduled for July 4th, 5th, and 6th). Ideally, we’re looking for a location that would allow us to come in those 3 days for free.

OR an idea I’m loving more and more is to rent a space for a month or two, so my team can build the set, and we can rehearse there. Allowing us to have much more flexibility in how we use the space and save time on scheduling prep visits (for example, to count the number of outlets).

The location should be within the Randstad area (i.e., easily accessible by public transportation), ideally in/near Amsterdam.

The impact of a location

Why is finding a location ASAP so important? The location directly impacts cinematography, script, sound, and production design. The sooner we have answers, the sooner each team can start assembling what they need and exploring creative solutions that fit our (very tight) budget.

Some examples:

Does the location have great natural light that floods every room? That will affect which lights we need to rent and, conversely, how many windows we need to blackout. Is it a fully empty space? Production design will need to bring in everything, from lamps to desks to chairs to horror props. Is it next to a railroad or a tram line? That will affect the sound we record; maybe it adds a cool layer to the world, or maybe the tram dings are too frequent and will become a nightmare for our editor. Does the location have an attic instead of a storage closet? I will need to adjust the script to fit the space, ensuring the story and character movement fit the location.

Have a location in mind?

Do you maybe know of a building or work in one that you think fits what I’m looking for? Please let me know! Even if you’re unsure about the dates or the number of rooms, I would love you to think with me, and I can use all the leads I can get! Message me or email bigbreak@studio-wednesday.com.

And otherwise, wish me luck on my search! Before you know it, I’ll be in contact with most of the building managers in Amsterdam and a part of their inner network, making guest appearances at their holiday parties.

That’s all for now, chat soon.

Xoxo,

Caitie