Location Scouting: Churches

As we wanted to finalize our Church location, we decided that it would be useful to do another location scouting but this time, for it to be centered around finding a suitable Church location. 

As we were able to find an actual priest (based in Eltham) who would be willing to take part in our opening, we has the opportunity to film in his own Church however, I felt that the outside of the Church building looked too modern, and didn't give the mysterious and spooky element which we were looking for, therefore I decided to go to look for other nearby Churches which would give us the look we were going for.

St John Baptist-Eltham

Useful features: Not only did it seem to have back stains around the back sides of the Church which added the spooky elements, as well as a graveyard towards the back and front of the Church. As well as this, around the back was also quite bushy areas, therefore it would go well with our scenes of trying to make our victim look as though she is being followed as the bushy areas could be where the antagonist is watching her from.

Features which weren't as useful:  The Church is situated on a busy road which could create unwanted background noise. Also, there isn't much space to film around the Church as it has so many graves circling it (though this could be a benefit at the same time).

St John's-Sidcup

Useful features: Similarly this Church also has a graveyard which adds the scary atmosphere which we are trying to bring across. Also some areas of the Church has clear moss showing which further emphasizes this. In addition to this, the very tall building also helps to create this idea of a greater power when focusing on elements of possession. As well as this, there is quite a large size of an isolated and bushy area which again, is useful for our opening scene.

Features which were not as useful: There is little to dislike about this location as most of its elements give off a scary atmosphere. However, one area which doesn't help when creating this spooky atmosphere is the bright orange-like colour of the building. I would prefer if it had been a dark or gloomy colour such as grey (like previous Churches which I had seen). Also, the different shades make the building seem colourful which isn't what we want when looking for a spooky-like Church as it doesn't make it seem dark and gloomy.  

Christ Church-Sidcup

Useful Feature: Similarly, this Church also has dark and black stains over the building which helps to add spooky elements which would be suitable for our audience and genre. Also, the long windows and cross icon at the top of the building will help the audience to identify this building as a Church.

Features which were not as useful: Again, there is little empty space around the building. Also, unlike traditional Churches, the building does not have a distinct peak which may allow the audience to immediately identify it as a Church.

Bexley United Reform Church- Bexley

Useful Features:

• Common stone brick building
• Easily identifiable as a Church
• Traditional mosaic window designs
• Close to Eltham and Townley
• Reasonable amount of space to film

Not as useful features:

• On a busy road
• Small building
• Hardly any bushes/trees

The Parish Church of St. John Evangelist-Bexley

Of all the Churches which I visited, this would be the one which I liked the most for our opening scene as it seemed to have what the other buildings were lacking. For example, it had spooky atmosphere from its entrance to the colour of the building. 

Though it doesn't have as much as the previous Church, it still has some clear signs of moss which helps to add this mysterious elements, alongside its vast height and size. As well as this, I like how the front brick-gate was shaped pointing up, which could be seen to mimic barbed wire which would add a sinister element and make the Church seem more mysterious.

 As well as this, there is a wooden bench which is directly facing the Church, as a result, we could have our victim walking past the Church whilst the antagonist is watching her from the bench, therefore, it goes along with our  intended story. Furthermore, the area has a number of bushy area which also would be beneficial for our opening scene.