UK film production may have had a down year in 2005 - with overall film production spending down 31% -- but filming in London was up 18%, according to agency Film London.
That figure, however, is not just based on film shoots but also includes TV and commercial shoots as well. Film London said the total number of shooting days in London's 33 boroughs was 12,655 compared to 10,683 in 2004 and 9,729 in 2003.That makes an average of 35 crews shooting per day in London during 2005.
The top London borough for shooting overall was Westminster with 2231 days. The borough of Richmond saw the greatest rise in filming with an increase of 148% from 2004. Other boroughs boosted in 2005 were include Haringey (up 130%); Wandsworth (up 55%); and Southwark (up 53%).
"These figures are a real endorsement for Film London which actively works to secure projects to film in the capital and make filming in London easier through initiatives such as the London Filming Partnership which launched last year," said Film London CEO Adrian Wootton. "Together with the UK's new film tax relief, the London film industry has a very positive outlook."
Features that shot partially in London in 2005 include The Da Vinci Code, V for Vendetta, Stormbreaker, Basic Instinct 2, and Breaking and Entering.
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