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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

More problems with neighbours film crew

139 replies

londonmummy1966 · 21/08/2017 13:00

Not sure this is an AIBU or a what to do but I'm getting really stressed about this so I thought I'd ask.

I posted recently about the security guard for my NDNs film crew being arsey about moving his car when it was blocking my drive and I needed to use it. They did move it eventually but later that night the response was to try and put up some police no parking bollards (not the police though) in the spaces outside our house when they had no parking restrictions in place. We also had the crew set off their burglar alarm and NDN refused to come out and turn it off (they are staying elsewhere in town as it is "too disruptive" for him). Eventually his ex's partner came and turned it off at 11pm.

Since then they've damaged the brick work on our garage without owning up to it. They then "rectified it" by putting the (now broken) brick back with a huge wodge of cement to fill the gap. They also knocked down plants in my garden when maneuvering scaffolding poles. When I complained to my NDN he said not to bother him with it and his ex just tells us to talk to the location manager who is very plesant and says he'll deal with it but doesn't always.

I'm really worried now as they are booked in for another week of filming until 11pm at night the week my dds go back to school and DD1 has some important assessments and big auditions that week. The local council film unit are no help at all. They seem to think it is great that people want to film here.

Any help/ideas?

OP posts:
Original poster
londonmummy1966 · 21/08/2017 15:39

Thanks everyone - A hotel is no good to us as DD1 needs her piano that week to practice - it is a big audition for her. She's already lost the best part of a weeks practice by the constant distraction of filming 6 feet away from her in the street last time round. (Whenever NDNs children have had music exams they've always been round begging DH to help out with aural tests/run throughs with piano accompaniment - and he's always been happy to oblige so I don't know what we've done to deserve this.)

The filming is for a new " high end" - their description - BBC legal drama but I haven't seen anyone I recognise so I doubt there is anyone really famous in it.

Thanks for the offer of dogs but London might be a bit far for them?

reallybad I think you've probably hit the nail on the head and there is nothing to do but suck it up but it is really annoying when this is going to be such an important week for my PFB and she has been working so hard for it. It just seems so unfair that the film unit at the Council don't have to at least communicate with the local residents before they give permission to film - especially in term time and at night in a street full of family homes.

OP posts:
BoneyBackJefferson · 21/08/2017 15:46

Complain complain complain to both the production company and he council re disruption.

this^, and I would be complaining about the loss of parking to the council as you have paid for a years permit.

If the production crew are still a pain then make noise, they cannot film after 11 o'clock. and if they send security round then ring the police about harassment in your home or feeling threatened.

Generally stop being nice. Your neighbour is a twat who has given no thought to you, the film crew are the same.

You owe them nothing.

reallybadidea · 21/08/2017 15:49

It sounds shit. I suppose you've tried a 'nice' email to your NDNs along the lines of how disruptive the film crew are, how you've gone out of your way to help them in the past, big week for your DD, how them being able to hire out their house relies on the goodwill of the neighbours etc etc and so you'd appreciate it if they could support you with dealing with the film company?

Failing that find out when their child's next set of crucial exams are and then throw the biggest, noisiest party ever (joke)

SandyDenny · 21/08/2017 15:50

I think I posted on your previous thread, I don't think you should lower yourself to making noise of the sake of it. I would make myself a real nuisance to the location manager and find contact details for the somene high up in the production company keep the pressure on them too.

Apart from the damage who much noise do they make? Is there a part of the house your DD could sleep in that isn't too noisy

SomeBerryJam · 21/08/2017 15:50

JOOI, but what are they filming for? Have I not read properly?

Oh, I agree with the majority and make as much noise as possible

SapphireStrange · 21/08/2017 15:51

Name and shame on twitter @ the producers, director, actors.

I'd go for this.

WhatwouldOliviaPopedo · 21/08/2017 15:52

Wonder if it's this...

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/the-split

timeisnotaline · 21/08/2017 15:52

I don't understand why there is nothing to do but suck it up. I would be making life very unpleasant for them, and hope they don't want to film there again. Noise noise and more noise that disrupts filming, move the illegal police cones and park a car, push my way through while filming to speak to someone about the problem, call the police on them every reasonable opportunity wh knocking a bloody hole in your garage, send the kids by on bikes, call tweet and Facebook the production company and the council (NOT the film department ) I wouldn't rule out paint bombing in the early hours if you think there no cameras. And tell the ndn he can fuck off if he ever wants anything from you ever again, he has no right to disrupt your life like this. Tell him you are sending him the bill for fixing the brick wall.

SapphireStrange · 21/08/2017 15:54

Olivia, sounds like it could be. I love Nicola Walker!

WhatwouldOliviaPopedo · 21/08/2017 15:55

If it is The Split – and I'm willing to bet money it is, as I Googled BBC high end legal drama as you described it OP and that's what came up first – then it's got big enough star names and producers and hype around it for you to kick up an almighty stink about the disruption it's causing.

BoneyBackJefferson · 21/08/2017 15:56

just another thought but if they have suspended the permit system, can't you just park there anyway, or have they (the council) got signs up enforcing some legalities?

WhatwouldOliviaPopedo · 21/08/2017 15:56

Me too Sapphire! Definitely one I'd watch.

OP, why don't you stick a notice up in the window to see if it makes it into the final cut??! Grin

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 21/08/2017 16:00

I think I know what this prodction is..

BitOutOfPractice · 21/08/2017 16:01

I think social media could help you. It sounds like a real pain for you op

FrancisCrawford · 21/08/2017 16:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

whatnamenow2017 · 21/08/2017 16:03

Don't just suck it up. Keep complaining to the council and to the production company. Depends what you want - location managers carry wodges of cash to placate locals so you could get some money out of it if you want to go that way. There's been instances where London councils have revoked filming licenses due to complaints by neighbours midway through filming so you could keep bashing away at the council - especially as it's a night shoot. Location managers usually do their utmost to avoid trouble and keep a tight rein on the crew - I'm surprised they're not being more considerate with you...

DandelionAndBedrock · 21/08/2017 16:05

Is your NDN's house on one of those film location scout websites? Is that how it was found by the production company? If so, maybe also complain to them. Bit late for now, but maybe they will want to keep the neighbours happy for potential future locations?

NoSquirrels · 21/08/2017 16:06

Well, your DD needs to get straight on practicing the piano as much as she can...

Formal complaints to everyone everywhere. And find out who your neighbour rents his house out through, and inform them that from now on as the neighbours will need accommodations for this location to be used - cash, hotels, whatever - then the rental cost to the production companies should take this into account. Make it VERY CLEAR to the location rental people that next time you will not be considerate unless disruption to you is compensated. Cc your selfish neighbour.

woodpecker2 · 21/08/2017 16:10

I'm not sure if it would work but I would explore legal avenues such as small claims for damage, distruption and see if there are any solicitors that deal with this. There would certainly be a company to persue. Maybe even an initial letter would make them more considerate.

TooDamnSarky · 21/08/2017 16:12

I'd contact local papers via twitter

StaplesCorner · 21/08/2017 16:12

I wouldn't put up with this; OP you sound resourceful. If you can't get anywhere with your local council then you need to take legal advice - do you have any cover on your household insurance? If not just pay for half an hour with a solicitor of your choice.

Have you contacted your local Councillor?

Original poster
londonmummy1966 · 21/08/2017 16:15

Its not The Split.

To all the PPs saying that people get paid for the inconvenience - they didn't even come to tell us that they were going to film (neither NDNs nor film company) - not that it is an issue about money - its the hassle and the noise and the fact that they simply don't care...

Is there any sort of standard guide to film location work/code of conduct that I could hit them with if the filming is as much of a nightmare again?

I did try a nice email to NDN - she just told me to go away and discuss with the local manager - very difficult when he is really charming and goes away and does nothing to sort the problems out....

OP posts:
4691IrradiatedHaggis · 21/08/2017 16:15

Definitely complain on Twitter! Any business/production would hate the bad publicity.

ALittleMop · 21/08/2017 16:22

"the location manager who is very nice but doesn't necessarily follow up on what he says he is going to do"

Palming people off is one of their key professional skills. (friends who used to do this job)

Make it clear you are not going anywhere or going to get off his case until your concerns are properly addressed. Be present, be a pain, complain complain complain. All the time.

If your neighbours so clearly do not give a stuff about you I would also badger the hell out of them (both) tbh.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 21/08/2017 16:25

If it's an independant production company producing something for the BBC and the location manager is useless then I'd go to programme delivery at the BBC

here's the contacts page - I'd go straight to Rebecca Chapman at the top of the programme delivery unit.

And I'd call now, ie before 5pm...