Movie making in a magical forest!

After leaving Ross-on-Wye, we drove through the Forest of Dean. Just past Coleford we saw a sign for a place which had caught my eye, I had read about it a few hours earlier. As it was 17.00 hours, we were not sure if it would still be open but took a chance. Upon arrival we noticed several vehicles which are usually associated with the TV or film industry and a helicopter. We just managed to get in before last admissions.

As we entered the forest, we heard a countdown followed by "AND ACTION!", our suspicions were correct, filming was taking place!

A security person standing by this sign advised us that we could go and watch if we wanted to. So we did just that, we followed the sound of the voices and...

...tell tell signs such as equipment, cables.

We finally reached the scene.

I took a sneaky picture of some of the film crew, among them was Director Bryan Singer (shown below) known for directing/producing films such as X-Men First Class and many other well know movies and TV programmes. (Picture below - Totalfilm.com)

One of the security people spent a bit of time chatting with us about what was going on and pointed to a man in a brown leather jacket, it was the lead actor Nicholas Hoult playing the role of Jack in Jack the Giant Killer (Due to be released in 2012). I didn't take a picture as I didn't think it appropriate, it probably would not have come out well as it was quite dark under the cover of the trees and rocks. We watched as a camera on a zip wire went from one end to another. We were told that the next film they will be working on is the next James Bond....

Nicholas Hoult (Picture - thefilmreview.com)
We left the filming scene behind to resume our walk around the forest. As we had arrived so late in the day, the forest was quiet (apart from film crew), we were the only ones walking around. A BIG bonus for me as I always love having a place to myself. Not quite the same if the forest had been full of people. All we could hear was the sound of the birds, bees and the breeze on the trees.

Some of you may think these pictures look somewhat familiar. Several scenes from the TV series "Merlin" have been filmed here!

The place I am talking about is called PUZZLEWOOD.



Reluctantly time to leave the forest.

Nicholas Hoult walked right past us after the filming was over. I was not expecting to see him then and didn't have my camera ready...isn't it always the way!

I managed to get my camera out on time for the donkeys though....not quite the same, I know....

Although the filming was unexpected and very interesting, it was the forest which was the real highlight of the day for me. The brochure I picked up and my photos just don't do the place justice enough. You have to be there to experience this beautiful and very atmospheric place. It left quite an impression on me.

We ended the day by having a meal in a pub by the canal.

A really good day!

A bientôt!

Isabelle X