About Birmingham
Coming to the metropolitan city of Birmingham to kick off your latest filming project? Know you've chosen a great place for it!
When it comes to film sets, Birmingham’s no stranger to the spotlight. If you’re familiar with The Peaky Blinders and Kingsman: The Golden Circle, you’ll already know that many producers and filmmakers have chosen to film their creative productions in this historic city. This is mostly due to the massive selection of set locations it boasts. Choose from the bright and idyllic Birmingham countryside, the sleek and modern Bull Ring, or the grim and grey of the Black Country and Watery Lane.
If you’re looking for a set for your upcoming music video shoot, Birmingham also has you covered. Being the birthplace of Tommy Iommi and Stefflon Don, the city is no stranger to the glitz and glam of filming for music videos, either.
It’s also a popular choice for commercial filming with many companies travelling here from across the country to capture the perfect shots for their latest product launches, too.
Filming Location Options in Birmingham
Birmingham is chock-full of a number of quality filming locations that will more than meet your filming needs. Being the second-largest city in the UK, it also houses a number of quality services for hire that will help successfully materialise your filming vision.
- Cameraman/woman
Even with the best sets, actors and props, creating a quality film or movie simply isn’t possible without the assistance of a talented cameraman or woman. Your chosen Birmingham camera person will be responsible for capturing and selecting the best shots for your video editing team to put together once filming has finished.
The cameraman or woman will also be responsible for setting up the camera equipment too, making sure that everything is ready to go for when filming commences. Additionally, they’ll have expert knowledge of the different types of cameras they’ll be using, along with lenses and other gear to ensure they’re able to accurately capture your vision.
- Costume
Hiring the services of a Birmingham costume designer is highly recommended if you’ll be filming for a film or tv series.
Your selected costume designer will help bring your set to life by creating high-quality costumes for your hired actors. These will be made to match the personality of each character perfectly, giving the audience a good idea of what to possibly expect from them and how they might behave. They’ll also be tailored to fit your actors perfectly, too.
All of this combined will add to the success of your production, selling the story you’re telling to your audience most effectively once it’s released.
- Lighting Technician
If you’re planning on filming for a music video, advert, or even a film or tv show, you may need to film part or all of your production indoors or where lighting conditions are less than ideal. This is where the help of an expert lighting technician comes in.
Your Birmingham lighting technician will be in charge of setting up the lighting for your location and stage sets. They’ll work alongside your cameraman to ensure you get clear quality visuals for each shot.
Your Birmingham lighting technician will also use lighting to create mood lighting too, allowing you to create the desired mood for your audience.
Filming Location Companies in Birmingham
- Film Birmingham
Committed to making filming in the West Midlands easy and efficient, Birmingham City Council’s Film Birmingham is the city’s home-grown film and television office. They provide an all-in-one option for film production providing everything needed for successful film and tv production.
- Austin Court
Austin Court is a historic grade II listed venue that provides filmmaking services for news broadcasts, advertising campaigns, university lectures, and more. Based in the heart of Birmingham City Centre, Austin Court offers filmmakers a range of backdrops, including stunning views of the BCN, Birmingham’s canal system.
- Vermillion Films
Vermillion films offer a range of services for those wishing to create films for commercials and corporate films. They also offer creative comm services, helping to guide large corporations, small businesses, advertising and marketing agencies in their delivery films that move and inspire their audience.
Pros and Cons of Filming Locations in Birmingham
If you’ve chosen to film your latest project in Birmingham, you’re in good company. There are many great reasons why Birmingham could make the perfect set for you. But like with anywhere, there are some things to consider if you’d like your project to be a success.
Advantages:
- Historic Sets
Birmingham is home to many historic buildings dating back all the way back to the 1300s.
- A Variety of Backdrops to Choose From
This metropolitan city is filled with a variety of landscapes including modern buildings and natural backdrops, all great for filming.
- Easy Travel by Car
Being located in the centre of the UK, it’s easy to get to 90% of the UK in just 4 hours or less.
- Famous Filming Sets
Birmingham is home to many famous film sets including the Garrison pub which was used as a Peaky Blinders filming location.
- Excellent Train Connections.
Home to Birmingham New Street train station, it’s only 15 mins away from Birmingham International Airport, and 40 minutes from London
Disadvantages:
- Traffic
The many planned roadworks make Birmingham pretty difficult to get around by car due to the many traffic jams it creates.
- Pollution
This is thanks again to the many road works that pop up around the city.
- The City’s Colour Scheme
The atmosphere in Birmingham can be quite grey, especially in the city. If you find yourself in need of a brighter backdrop, try the close-by Lickley Hills.
- Climate
Though it does get warmer in the summer, the weather can be notably colder than other locations in Europe, with only a few truly warm days per year.
- Only 2 Public Transport Options Available
Since scrapping the local tram service, there are now only bus and train public transport options left in the city.
Famous Filming Locations in Birmingham
- Trendy Industrial House
This grade II historic townhouse is located in the middle of Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter, one of the oldest districts in the city. Composed of 3 floors, it makes for the perfect filming location, perfectly blending the building's classic charm from its grade 11 windows and high ceilings with the modern decor of its newly fitted kitchen. This allows for a ton of natural light into the property, ideal for any of your shots that need to be taken indoors without artificial lighting. There’s even free parking available onsite, too.
- Black Country
Birmingham’s Black Country was given its name thanks to the staining that the coal and iron production caused during the industrial revolution. It’s also home to The Black Country Living Museum, used in all 5 series of the Netflix drama, The Peaky Blinders, and right up the road from the gang’s old home. If you’re after a darker, more grim look for your production, you’ll find everything you need in this historic area.
- Birmingham City Centre
Used for the exciting London car chase in the Hollywood blockbuster, The Kingsman: Golden Circle, Birmingham City Centre makes the perfect film set for any modern-day film production. The city’s Colmore Row and its surrounding areas were closed for several nights to create this iconic Hollywood scene.
