Film London Promotes Capital Location Ahead of 2012 Olympic Games

LONDON – Film London, the government-backed movie agency tasked with bringing U.S studio backed productions to the capital, is upping efforts to ensure 2012 is not all about the London Olympics in the British capital.

Film London launched Wednesday what it called “a series of measures” to ensure the capital remains firmly on production manager’s maps as the countdown to the Olympics, billed as “the greatest show on earth,” continues.

The films and media agency is setting up an online portal aiming to provide a single online gateway for filming in London.

Marking a first, the portal centralises and streamlines the system for the entire capital, allowing productions to apply to shoot in London without requiring prior knowledge of the city, such as borough boundaries or postcodes.

Although built to manage non-Olympic related, commercial filming before and during the 2012 Games, the portal also promises to provide a legacy for London, giving the capital a permanent, London-wide online filming application system for all filming, accessible on handheld devices and smartphones.

There is also to be The Film London 2012 microsite – providing advice on filming in London during 2012, with practical information on areas which will be out of bounds and alternative locations on offer within the city.

Adrian Wootton, Film London and British Film Commission chief executive, said: “The overriding message to the domestic and international industry is that London is open to film-makers throughout the whole of 2012.”

He noted that all the capital’s studios, including sites such as 3 Mills, Ealing and Twickenham will be open for business.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “Film production generates over £860 million ($1.3 billion) for London each year and we want to attract major stars of the movie making firmament throughout next year, by making it as easy as possible to film here. We also want to ensure London maintains its status as the most creative and culturally rich city on earth and this service will help support film making in the capital long after the Games are over.”

The Film London 2012 microsite contains information – tailored for producers and locations managers – on key dates, road closures, location availability and hotels, in the run up to and during the Olympic period.