Videoing at the Tower of London

We’ve been getting super feedback about the changing locations for the filming of the Mobile Industry Review show. This week we chose the Tower of London. I didn’t expect that we’d be able to film *inside* the Tower itself. As you may have seen on previous posts, Tim from Historic Royal Palaces (the organisation that supervises the Tower) asked me to give him a call. I’m pleased to say we came to an arrangement that resulted in the production crew arriving at 5.30pm at the Middle Gate of the Tower to begin shooting.

The original tower — the White Tower (shown above in a photo by James) — was built a few years after William The Conqueror took posession of the country in 1066.  Construction began in 1078 to help solidify the Normans’ base of power — and it’s prominent position at the mouth of the Thames where old London began made it a perfect defensive keep.  930 years ago.  The majority of the walls and other related buildings were added later on — if you take a walk around you’ll see the various dates displayed (e.g. 1200 and beyond).  Fantastic and visually arresting.

It’s always fun visiting the Tower with tourists.  The sight is jaw dropping.  Especially when you consider folk were going about their business here almost a millennium ago.  £16.50 for adults and just under a tenner for children.  Excellent value.  You can definitely spend a whole day — or a long afternoon — exploring the place.

Tim took us down to the moat to do our video introduction.  You’ll see the team standing before the Tower’s outer wall, on some rather well manicured grass.  That’s where the moat was originally.  This year the team at the Tower are demonstrating the status of the Tower as one of Europe’s best Fortresses with a series of events.  Right now — and until September — if you pop down to the Tower at 12.30pm and 2.30pm, you’ll see some siege engines being demonstrated.

We actually filmed next to the mini-Trebuchet (a ‘Perrier’) and next to the ‘Springald’.  Although we weren’t allowed to shoot some RAZRs off the Perrier.  That could have been fun.  😉

After the intros, we headed into the Tower and shot a few pieces.  Look out for James’ mobile handset interview with a rather iron-faced guard on duty.  Then it was down to the Wharf beside the Thames just outside the Tower for the main features of the show.

Thanks to Tim and his colleagues for facilitating the visit.  If you’re heading to London, do not pass Go.  Go straight to the Tower.  And remember, the Tower gets no financing from the Government or local authorities.  It’s all maintained through donations and ticket sales.   So buy a few.   I’m going to talk to their events team and see if we can hold an Unlimited Drinks there.

We’ll have the Tower episode up on Monday morning. Standby!