posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Nov 18
The city of London is comprised of several different neighborhoods, and is extremely photogenic. Many magnificent buildings here have been well preserved, which makes London the perfect setting for a wide range of films and TV programs. Visitors who stay in a cheap London hotel will find themselves right in the heart of the action, with plenty of time to explore the city.
The River Thames is among the most famous landmarks in the city. The river snakes its way through the metropolis and is surrounded by a whole host of instantly recognizable buildings. Just a brief shot of the River Thames is enough to show viewers exactly where the program is being filmed.
Several different films have used the River Thames in scenes. The opening scene of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is an excellent example of how the river makes a dramatic setting. In this scene, a group of tourists are terrorized by the followers of Lord Voldemort as they cross the most modern bridge.
Because buildings such as St Paul’s Cathedral can be seen from the River Thames, the setting is often used in films to create drama. The first scene of Sweeney Todd shows the character that is played by Johnny Depp returning home. As his boat makes its way along the river he sees these buildings and his reaction is captured for the audience to see.
Although the lines have been blurred somewhat in recent years, there has always been a division of class between the neighborhoods of this city. The West End is the most desirable part and therefore to most expensive. Because it is less desirable, significantly cheaper accommodation can be found in the East End.
Some use this to good effect when they contrast the two areas. One film that does this well is the classic dramatization of Oliver! Here, the poor characters live in the East End, while the richer characters have large houses in the West End. Showing panoramic images of the streets clearly tells us a lot about the lives of the characters without having to go into a long and complicated back story narration.
Many of the most famous buildings in London have featured in a large number of different films. Tower Bridge regularly appears in films that are shot either entirely or just partly in London. Other buildings that are often filmed include Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben.
The local council goes to great lengths to ensure that these iconic buildings remain in top condition. Although many of these are centuries old, they appear almost as good as new. This makes them ideal places to shoot period dramas such as Jeeves and Wooster and Poirot.
Visitors to the city who want to see these areas for themselves simply need to hop aboard a famous red bus. Buses run along routes close to most major attractions throughout the metropolis. People who opt to stay in Kings Cross hotels will find that it is conveniently located near a good range of transportation options.