Thatched Film and TV Sets

Films often start with wide, overhead views of a village or settlement, to establish the world the story will inhabit. The roofs play a vital role in setting the scene for the movie to come. We work closely with the art department to paint this picture in thatch. Working from reference images, concept art and models, we provide material samples and advise. Sometimes we mock-up sections of buildings in our workshop to illustrate a thatching technique or effect. As the project progresses, artwork turns into scale drawings and the set starts to take shape. Before the work can start at a location or sound stage there is a list of issues which need assessing and mitigating. we often have to meet with environmental officers to be sure we won't disturb the natural balance of a location. Fire assessments and mitigation are thought through. We draw up risk assessments and method statements to make sure work will be carried out safely. Once on site our trained and experienced team work from cherry pickers to access tall buildings. Schedules are tight so the thatch has to be applied quickly, whilst working around other departments, all keen to get the job done. The finished results usually need to look time worn and aged. We achieve this with the application technique, finely tuned with an ageing paint wash applied by the scenic painters.  As our work comes to an end the set decorators and prop men start to bring the set to life around us. Greens men add verdant gardens, tracks and trees to really make the set live. We leave as the production crew begin to light the set for filming.