Lights, Camera, Conservation! Managing the Risks When Filming in Historic Locations: Adapting to Growth, a Pandemic and the Need for Sustainability

Heritage locations supervise and manage the risk of filming through their own staff and conservators, both employed and freelance. Organisations such as the National Trust ensure that freelance filming conservators are retained on site when filming takes place, to supplement operational supervising teams based at properties and to provide targeted expertise. Following the sudden outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, conservators helped heritage organisations to earn much needed income from filming in difficult times. Conservators increasingly rely on ‘soft skills’ and resilience as film productions are fast-moving, demanding and put enormous pressure on the crew and host location. Different methods of working and new developments are also being promoted to help meet environmental targets. In response, conservators are collaborating, adapting and leading the way in managing changing risks as they continue to safeguard cultural heritage and encourage social and environmental responsibility during filming.