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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

For a film crew to block my front door?!

251 replies

Lj8893 · 20/10/2013 14:49

I live in a small town and there is currently a blockbuster film being filmed right outside my front door. Its a period setting so they have done loads of set decoration all around, including blocking up some windows etc.

Yesterday my dp came home (I wasn't in) and our front door had a door shaped block wedged in front. He grabbed a crew or security member who moved it and he told them it can't be there as I am due to go into labour any day (I'm 39 weeks) and it is our only exit/entrance so for fire and health and safety reasons it can't be there, or we at least need to know when!

Earlier on he popped in from work, and it was there again. He repeated the same speech from yesterday and they moved it, and told him when its up it will only be for 2 mins max.

Its up there again, and has been for nearly 45 minutes!!! I have rang and left a voicemail for the assistant location manager (his number was put on a info leaflet through our door a week ago).

Essentially I'm trapped in my house, and yes I could push it out with some force but that's not really fair on me is it?!

Its actually starting to make me feel quite panicky now.

AIBU?! Or what should I do?!

OP posts:
qazxc · 20/10/2013 16:54

He also said if in an emergency I pushed it down and did any damage, then I wouldn't be liable for it. this would give me rage.
You were trying to ring him, he wasn't picking up.
He has made promises about your door not being blocked for long periods of time and hasn't stuck to it.
He is aware of your pregnancy and the fact that this door is your only means in and out.
How is he guaranteeing that the situation won't arise again?

Tuppenceinred · 20/10/2013 16:57

Can I be the first to say RTFT - it's moved now!

RegTheMonkey · 20/10/2013 17:10

When I was younger I was a production assistant working in tv. One time we were filming in a back garden and there were people in the next door garden having a small bbq. I was told by the director to go round and ask them to be quiet as they were disrupting the filming! I was mortified, telling people to be quiet in their own garden, but actually they came over all star struck and meekly obeyed.

katese11 · 20/10/2013 17:47

YANBU we had a movie set on our road this week and they blocked access even when they said they wouldn't. V arrogant!

Coupon · 20/10/2013 18:03

YANBU. A lot of film-makers think they are God and that they have the right to order the general public around. I'm glad they were reasonable in the end.

harticus · 20/10/2013 18:07

Reg I once had to stop pedestrians in Oxford Street for 10 minutes.
Amazing the number of people who just do as they are told when a film crew is at work and you are clutching a clipboard and walky talky.

PoppyScarer · 20/10/2013 18:12

Is your house/flat in these photos, OP?

Grew up near there, lovely part of the world. Envy

MrsBramleyApple · 20/10/2013 18:18

We had the BBC filming Miss Marple in our kitchen! I met Joan Hickson! She was luffly!!! Smile

Sallyingforth · 20/10/2013 18:23

They have a bloody cheek coming onto your property and doing that.
If it was me, I would be putting my Christmas lights up early all along the front of the house, flashing away. They could come and negotiate a suitable fee for removing them.

Original poster
Lj8893 · 20/10/2013 18:34

We were just sat in the pub and the crew members I went abit fish wifey at earlier came in. Saw me and sheepishly walked away. Think i scared them a little earlier!

poppy yes that's our road!! But my door isn't in any of those pictures.

Loving the idea of getting our Xmas lights out early!!

OP posts:
MrsBramleyApple · 20/10/2013 18:50

I have just seen a pic of the director..........I WOULD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wink

womma · 20/10/2013 20:01

We'll have to form a queue... me first!

Original poster
Lj8893 · 21/10/2013 20:01

An

OP posts:
Original poster
Lj8893 · 21/10/2013 20:01

An up

OP posts:
Original poster
Lj8893 · 21/10/2013 20:05

An update for those interested:....

Today they blocked our door again without warning. For most of the day.

They then came and knocked on our door to tell/ask us to turn our lights off at night for filming. For some reason my dp agreed and turned them off. But I turned them atraight back on!

Just before 6 my dp went to leave to go to work, and couldn't get out the door. He knocked and knocked but no joy. Eventually he forced it out the way but was half an hour late for work!!!

We are fuming!! I have spoken to a girl from the location team and her manager and told them they are not to block our door at all without giving us some sort of compensation.

OP posts:
FrankelInFoal · 21/10/2013 20:16

That's got to be a breech of fire safety laws. I'd be making a call to HSE in the morning....

YouTheCat · 21/10/2013 20:17

They wanted your lights off?

What the hell do they expect you to do, blunder about in the dark?

I'd just say you're withdrawing permission.

Original poster
Lj8893 · 21/10/2013 20:23

Lights off in our front room yes, which we don't actually use that often but they don't need to know that!

I have told them I am withdrawing permission until they can come up with some form of compensation that I am happy with.

OP posts:
deepfriedsage · 21/10/2013 20:23

Your mil has to stop this she gave them control of your life. This is nit on at all.

Original poster
Lj8893 · 21/10/2013 20:24

She has said the same thing to them.

OP posts:
FrankelInFoal · 21/10/2013 20:25

I'm more concerned by the fact that your DP couldn't get out of the house - what if there had been a fire??

YouTheCat · 21/10/2013 20:25

In that case, they're trespassing.

mignonnetteZOMBIEKILLEROFHQ · 21/10/2013 20:30

Please keep tough with them. The amount of money they pay actors and they expect you to tolerate all this inconvenience for free? I'd be pumping out Grime at the loudest levels I could. With all my lights flashing on and off and large non period decorations all over the front of my house. Take their door blocking thing and throw it in the bin.

Original poster
Lj8893 · 21/10/2013 20:31

Exactly frankie that was my question yesterday, and I was told we could easily push it out the way.
Well, my dp did manage to push it out the way but it took quite abit of force!

OP posts:
Melonbreath · 21/10/2013 20:31

Every time they film outside your house moon them.
And make sure when your waters go it goes over the door blocker