Filming The Trick
FILMING THE TRICK
If you happened to have used Walston Road at the end of June you would have realized from all the activity and number of large vans, cars etc. that filming was taking place at a property in the village.
Yes, it was my house. They were filming part of The Trick, a 90-minute true conspiracy thriller starring Jason Watkins, Victoria Hamilton, George MacKay and Jerome Flynn.
A note APPEARED in my mailbox in the middle of May asking if I was willing to let my property be used for filming. They were seeking a Wenvoe location, and if so to contact them straight away. Although personally reluctant to the suggestion, my close female acquaintances persuaded me I couldn’t reject such an honour of seeing my house in a film. So, I gave them a call. Next day the location manager arrived to inform me what it would entail, and the filming schedule. They required the use of the lounge, a bedroom and the garden. I could remain in the property for the four days while filming took place, if I wished, or they could arrange hotel accommodation for me.
The next day, the producer, designer, plus another team member, arrived to view and take numerous photographs from various angles of every room in the house. A few days later I was informed that the property was very suitable and if I was still willing to let them use it, a meeting would be arranged to discuss details. A design team would arrive for four days before filming to set the scene; this would include repainting of the lounge walls to their required colour with the promise that it would be returned to the original state or painted any other colour I wished. (A pity it wasn’t one of the rooms which really could do with a repaint!). Any furniture and items removed would be placed in safe storage, and with all their equipment around a 24hour security would be provided during the filming period. Two days would be required to return the house to its previous state. A disruption payment would be made.
Mid-June saw all the production team members arrive on their tour of the locations being used in Barry, Cardiff and Wenvoe areas. Suddenly there were around 18 persons standing around in the front garden discussing points, those requiring seeing the inside were being shown around by previous visitors and the sound engineer was questioning me about spurious noises from the fish tank and the grandfather clock and could they be silenced.
All the local neighbours were contacted to inform them what was to take place and the times involved.
Set-up day and I was away on a few days holiday so my granddaughters, having been briefed on what I expected to happen, took charge of protecting the house and contents. Items were quickly bubble wrapped and packed away in boxes; large items of furniture disappeared for storage, anything to remain had a smiley face sticker on it. My house guardians became concerned about how much of my property was disappearing. By day two when I returned in the afternoon, the lounge was completely empty, and the painters busy at work. The chosen bedroom was empty and because a few shots were required of the actors in the kitchen and dining room these were being adjusted with all non-required items having already been packed away. Suddenly you discovered that any item you could normally put your hand on i.e. pencil, wall calendar etc had disappeared into a box somewhere. Day three and four were more relaxed, the scene setters were busily at work arranging chairs, books, flowers, dishes, pictures, hanging curtains etc. These people are extremely thorough in their arranging; as the film was about a true 2009 incident; everything had to look as near as possibly correct. Even a car was purchased to be placed on the drive.
Monday morning and it was all go. Lighting technicians, sound men, camera crews, make-up artists, catering corps etc. all started arriving; everyone seemed to know exactly what was required before filming commenced at 12.30. A mid-morning brunch was provided for crew members every morning; as the weather was fine all week it was served outdoors – a full English or fruit and yogurts if preferred. Tea and coffee were available all day. Just before the action commenced a limousine arrived with the star of the film; they were welcomed and escorted around the set to get their bearings. Even a police car appeared but this happened to be a part of the film set along with the policeman.
The public were very welcome to watch the proceedings but with Covid-19 restrictions in place if you wished to enter the set you required at least a temperature check and wrist band. Nobody, not even the actors, were exempt from this morning ritual.
Four long days of filming, late into the evening, then suddenly they were all gone.
Friday morning and the design crew were back removing all the set pieces they had used and slowly my own household effects reappeared; with great care everything was returned to its original position. In the house even the fridge magnets were back as before, everything moved had been carefully photographed and recorded.
Saturday and the finishing touches, including the repainting, and then the keys were returned. Apologies that the cleaners would not be able to attend until first thing Monday morning and when they departed you would hardly have known anybody had used the property to film for a week.
The BBC drama is due to be transmitted late October or early November. Worth a watch to see how many other local locations you can spot, including the village school. Although I had worries at times about my property, they were unfounded. A good experience. Would I do it again? Ask me in a year’s time.
Ian Moody