On location with KES.
03/03/2023
Lights, Camera, Action
When you think of film and tv sets, you might picture the glamour of Hollywood—or perhaps movie stars and celebrities in trailers, making all sorts of demands. Well, we hate to bust this myth, but a) it’s not all glamour on film sets and at studios, especially when filming on-location and b) there is a huge amount of behind-the-scenes work required to get film and tv sets up and running before anyone thinks about shouting ‘action’.
When it comes to fixed film and tv studios, most electrical connections and equipment are already in place. There will be a team on site responsible for ensuring sufficient power and equipment to cover the lights, cameras, and everything else needed to produce award-winning tv series and films.
The fun really begins when you’re filming on location. Take all those actors, producers, caterers, and make-up artists, essentially a small army of people and put them in the most awkward places to capture the story.
That location could be a remote beach, a craggy island, working docks, at sea or on moving vehicles, a volcanic landscape, or wild wetlands. Think of anywhere where you won’t have easy access to power, and filming will have taken place there. Plus, KES and our brilliant electrical contracting customers will have stepped up to deliver the power and equipment needed to enable filming to take place.
Let us answer your questions about powering up film sets on location.
What are the most common electrical items needed on location?
The essential products to power up film crews and support teams are some basics like distributors, sockets and lots and lots of cable. It’s always more cable than you think you need and generally more distros than anticipated.
Lighting is also one of the top requirements. Although that’s not always lighting for the set, it can be festoon or emergency lighting for any night filming or to light walkways and keep everyone safe.
To determine what our on-site contractors need, we need a breakdown of what needs powering. That could be everything from lighting, sound and cameras to on-site trailers, facilities and catering equipment. One big benefit of working with KES, and a reason we work with so many contractors in the TV and film sector, is that we can design bespoke distros to suit your needs.
What are the biggest problems when filming on location?
There are two big problems we hear about when filming on location. First, our electrical contractors always tell us stories about when people unplug something crucial, usually at a very inopportune moment! One of these tales was about a Christmas lights switch-on in Hampshire. Even though the switch was tested before the big countdown, someone unplugged the vital cable just before the big moment - leading to a frustrated celebrity host, several embarrassed organisers and many disappointed onlookers!
How did it happen? It’s generally because the site team has underestimated how many distros and sockets are needed. Considering how many groups and departments are on location, it’s easy to underestimate what’s required. And, to point fingers, we’re looking at you, catering teams. Food vans are often coming to the location or full catering trailers with multiple ovens that need power. If in doubt, over-estimate!
We’ve had plenty of last-minute calls to find out what distros we have on the shelf and can get to the filming location a short notice.
Where have we seen KES products?
The hawk-eyed amongst you will have seen KES products on everything from TV dramas like Vera and Game of Thrones to soaps like Emmerdale and Coronation Street. Our festoon lighting has been spotted at Glastonbury in the Live Lounge intimate performances, and we’ve helped power sporting events like the Formula 1 Championship. In short, anywhere that needs power, there’s a good chance KES has been or could be involved.
Some of our brilliant customers in this sector include Buddha Group, Balloo Hire, Jones and Whitehead, Tempower and Impression One.
To browse our range of products suitable for film and tv sets, as well as event power, head or contact the KES team.