British Waterways unlocks new film network
British Waterways has today, 23 February 2011, appointed Itasca Locations as its national film location management partner, to raise the profile of its waterways and properties across England and Wales to the film and photographic industry.
British Waterways is the third largest owner of listed structures in the country, behind the National Trust and the Church of England. It cares for a wide range of locations ranging from toll houses and lock cottages to warehouses, garages and office buildings, as well as more than 2,000 miles of canals, river, historic docks and reservoirs.
Vicky Furness, Itasca Locations said: “We are enormously proud to have been selected as British Waterways’ national film locations partner. Our aim is to make their eclectic portfolio of buildings, structures and waterways a first choice for productions being filmed in the UK.”
Water has long been an inspiration for creativity and, in recent times, canals and rivers have featured in supporting roles in everything from reality TV to James Bond movies. Big budget Hollywood favourites like 28 Weeks Later and The World Is Not Enough, were filmed around the imposing cityscape of London’s Docklands, and recently the capital’s canal network has been used in the filming of Tomas Alfredson’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
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British hits like The Full Monty include the famous scene where characters are marooned on the roof of a sinking car in the Sheffield Tinsley Canal, and This is England, features scenes on the Nottingham Beeston Canal. Long-running TV classics like Inspector Morse and Coronation Street and productions including the adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s fantasy novel The Colour of Magic and Crusoe starring Sean Bean, have all utilised the waterway network as a location.
In 2012 British Waterways is due to be transferred in England and Wales into a third sector organisation, as a new ‘national trust’ for the waterways. During this time it will be more important than ever to utilise the great heritage asset, waterway scenes and iconic British locations they care for and manage, helping to raise the profile of the waterways across Britain.
Ed Fox, British Waterways’ head of communications, said: “British Waterways cares for a remarkable network of historic canals, rivers and docks across the country which we already know has a strong appeal for commercial photographers and film-makers. Filming helps to raise public awareness of the waterways, attract visitors and contribute income for their upkeep. We are delighted then to have Itasca Locations on board and look forward to working with them to promote our hugely diverse locations to the industry.”