Film Location Owner Success Stories - SE5070

Shai discusses how a 15^th century restoration launched her successful film location rental journey.

When Shai decided to leave her modest London home for a quieter life in the countryside, downsizing seemed the practical choice. However, life had bigger plans for this intrepid homebuyer. She ended up purchasing a sprawling, dilapidated 15th century Elizabethan manor, embarking on an odyssey of renovations, restorations, and hosting film crews.

Shai explains that she and her husband were seeking to downsize from their cosy four-bedroom home. But when she stumbled upon the 11-bedroom, 7-reception room manor, complete with an east wing and 70 acres of land, she just couldn't resist. "I think it's one of those cases of, you know, all the best plans," Shai laughs. "Suddenly life takes on a different one!"

While daunting, breathing new life into the long-neglected property became a labour of love. Shai enjoyed "giving it back a little bit of love" by repairing original features like the Jacobean staircase and ornate fireplaces. She playfully decorated with antiques to enhance its old-world charm. 

With its palatial rooms and sprawling gardens, the house turned out to have added potential. Shia's husband proposed ventures like hosting weddings on the grounds. But a chance inquiry from a film scout sparked a new direction – offering their home as a film location, and ultimately working with UKFilmLocation.com. 

Soon Shai found herself helping to manage a busy filming venue, hosting productions ranging from music videos, films and extended TV series. She gets a kick out of imagining how her home's previous inhabitants would react and to watching her home on TV or being invited to London Film Premieres. If you told the sort of Tudor gentry that were here...that you'd have film crews and celebrities walking around, they'd be totally baffled.

Shai normally works with the producers on site now as the property is large with lots of potential for mishaps. Things in her carefully restored period property can be difficult and expensive to replace so it’s useful to keep an eye on what’s happening on a day-to-day basis. Generally, most productions don’t want to change very much as they have selected the property specifically for its interiors and exteriors. They will bring certain props of course but they mostly work with what is there.

Some crews still don’t understand the delicate antiquity. Shai will typically be there, quietly providing advice, ensuring centuries-old woodwork and crystal chandeliers remain intact. “Some teams need more supervision,” she says diplomatically. “We’ve had fabulous, experienced crews, and then some need a bit more support.” One memorable film shot involved a staircase brawl which required protecting the 300-year-old carved oak balustrade! But Shai enjoys the variety and new relationships.

When a crew proposed explosions, Shai’s concern was thankfully misplaced as the professional crew were very re-assuring that nothing would be damaged. Our animals have also joined the venture, and crews have even incorporated our docile cattle, or brought in “film” wolves”! A planned multi person helicopter drop in the grounds was cancelled at the last minute but cautions, "You've got to kind of weigh out whether the proposed requirements works for the location as well. Some crews need more supervision than others," she says diplomatically, but that she always enjoys seeing how the creatives put together the variety of productions she’s hosted, and building interesting relationships. When asked if she has advice for others considering renting out their property, Shai suggests starting small. "I didn't come from the film industry, so it was really an out of the blue thing. I found that by using professional agents like UKFilmLocation.com, that for properties like mine, that there is a lot that could go wrong. Fortunately I picked a good Agent who has the experienced to help mitigate against risks that I wouldn’t even considered to be risky, and to help rectify any problems that have occurred. But by gradually ramping up, the estate has become a thriving location, giving new life to an historic home. Who knows what's next for this resourceful homeowner? With helicopters, wolves, and explosions in her repertoire, just about anything seems possible. One thing is certain – life in this grand old manor will never be boring! For more information about hiring your home as a filming location call our experienced team at www.UKFilmLocation.com - 01782 388090 or 01782 388439