The half-tide. Richmond Lock and its weir hold the water up above Richmond when the tide drops, so the river from Richmond to Teddington never drains like the reaches below. Below the weir, the river at Kew runs right down at low water, so we plan shots and boarding around it.
Teddington. Teddington Lock is where the tide stops. Above it the river is non-tidal and the Environment Agency, not the Port of London Authority, is in charge, so a shoot that carries on upstream needs a second set of permissions.
The traffic. Above Wandsworth Bridge the speed limit is 8 knots, and these reaches are busy with rowers, sailing clubs and paddleboarders. We keep the wash down and plan faster work for quieter times.
The light. The river swings through big loops here, so the sun comes from different sides as you move along it. We pick the stretch that gives you the light you want at the time you are filming.
On the water. Commercial filming on the tidal Thames needs permission from the Port of London Authority, and we apply for it as part of the job.
In the air. Heathrow’s arrivals often pass overhead here, and the riverside parks and gardens set their own rules for drones, so we check every take-off point and every position before the day.
On land. The towpaths, gardens and parks along this stretch belong to different owners, from the council to the Royal Botanic Gardens. We tell you early which permissions you need on land.
Richmond BridgeKew BridgeYes. We track rowers and sailing boats from the water at their pace, and keep the wash down so we do not upset the boats we are filming or anyone else’s.
Yes, up to Teddington Lock. The weir at Richmond keeps the water up above it at low tide, while the river at Kew and Mortlake drains much further.
Only from a take-off site whose owner agrees, and with Heathrow’s approach overhead we check the airspace for every position. Tell us the shot and we will tell you what is possible.
Yes. Above Teddington Lock the Environment Agency looks after the river, so we apply to them as well as the Port of London Authority for a shoot that crosses the lock.
