BBC Merlin Filming Locations

anatomy of a scene | The Gates of Avalon

As we all know by now, our heroic cast and crew film the Merlin episodes in blocks of three (give or take) along with any pick–ups that are needed for earlier episodes, along with moving the filming from Wales to France and back again three times each season.

This creates complications and presents challenges to everyone involved. One full scene might be filmed in segments spread over a number of weeks and in different countries. Actors need to recreate and maintain the same emotions and pace; the director and DoP need to do the same for the lighting, camera angles and overall feel of the shots; costumes and props need to be coordinated; the editor needs to string all this together into a coherent story. Some continuity errors do creep in, it’s true, but the wonder to me is that there aren’t a whole lot more!

Of course there are also other factors that complicate any filming, no matter how straightforward. Actors can only do so much before a stuntperson must take their place; any scene might include both internal shots on a constructed set and external shots on location; any scene involving characters getting wet leads to keeping track of when the actors should be wet and when dry; and so on, and so on.

While I’m sure this will be nothing new to anyone, I thought it would be interesting to break down a scene into its component parts, and see just how complicated it does get. I’ve had this particular scene from The Gates of Avalon in mind for a while, but if any of you have another good example in mind, we’d be very happy to take requests for future posts!

Screen captures from the episode are used with respect (but without permission) only for the sake of illustration! All copyright remains with BBC One and Shine Limited.

background

In this scene, the baddies of the week Aulfric and Sophia try to drown Arthur as a sacrifice to the sidhe; Merlin arrives in time to rescue him.

In a previous scene, Merlin (Colin) has confronted Aulfric (Kenneth Cranham) and Sophia (Holliday Grainger) in their rooms at the castle. Aulfric zapped Merlin unconscious with his staff, and the baddies absconded with Arthur (Bradley), intending to take him to the lake to drown him. This previous scene was filmed on a set in Cardiff; I assume it’s Arthur’s bedroom redressed as a guest bedroom. It would have taken some hours to film the various configurations of actors from different angles, along with Colin’s first ever stunt. (Hurrah!)

the scene itself

The scene I’ve described below lasts for about five minutes and 15 seconds, and I have broken it down into 19 ‘chunks’ (obviously that’s the technical term). Each of these chunks involve a significant change in location, cast, or camera angle. However, if we were storyboarding this for a real production, each chunk would be broken down further still, into more and more detail.

All told, the scene involves two different studio sets, at least two external locations, three of the main actors and two guest stars, two or three stunt doubles, a countless number of crew, and a fair bit of CGI – quite apart from the usual costumes and props.

[1] Aulfric leads Arthur and Sophia through the woods

The baddies are leading Arthur to his watery doom…

This was filmed on location, I assume in the woods near Speech House Lake in the Forest of Dean. So it was shot on a different day from the actors’ previous scene together, but while they were still based in Wales. (The task at hand was made more difficult for Bradley, who was supposed to be obliviously enchanted, by Kenneth turning to him at the last moment and asking, ‘Does my bum look big in this?’)

[2] Gaius finds Merlin and sends him off

Gaius (Richard) finds a semi–conscious Merlin in Aulfric and Sophia’s room, helps him recover, and then Merlin heads off to follow the baddies.

This was filmed on a set in Cardiff, presumably on the same day as the previous scene with the confrontation. The first camera angle is looking over Merlin’s shoulder from floor level – obviously Colin is not propped up against the wall at this point.

[3] Merlin runs through the woods

Merlin is running through the woods on the trail of the baddies.

We know from the audio commentary that this was definitely filmed near Speech House Lake, while the others were filming on the shore. Each crew was very conscious of not making too much noise and disturbing the others.

[4] Aulfric, Sophia and Arthur at the lake

Aulfric, Sophia and Arthur are on the shore of the lake. Aulfric and Sophia talk, and she finally realises what’s going on. Then Sophia starts to lead Arthur towards the lake.

At least three camera angles are used to capture the action, with both close–ups and medium shots. As a friend pointed out, there is an establishing shot near the beginning, showing the width of the lake.

As this scene continues, it is cut with:

• [3] Merlin running through the woods.
• [4] Sophia leads Arthur into the lake. They are knee–deep. This involves another camera angle from further along the lake, looking back towards the shore.
• [3] Merlin running through the woods.
• [4] Sophia leads Arthur into the lake.
• [3] Merlin running through the woods.
• [4] Sophia leads Arthur into the lake. They are waist–deep now.
• [3] Merlin running through the woods.

[5] Sophia and Arthur in the lake, with Aulfric on the shore

Sophia and Arthur stand in the lake, waist–deep, while Aulfric watches from the shore.

The camera angle has returned to the shore. It’s not Bradley, but a stunt double in the water, as the actors aren’t allowed to submerge in an uncontrolled environment, for health and safety reasons. (And, having been to Speech House Lake, I have to ask why anyone would even want to.)

[6] Aulfric incants his spell

Aulfric starts incanting his spell to open the Gates of Avalon.

This is a reverse angle shot, looking directly at Kenneth, and drawing in closer as the scene progresses. It might have involved Kenneth standing back from the shoreline for the sake of room, or maybe the cameraman was actually in the lake (which he might have been, given later shots).

As the scene continues, it is cut with:

• [4] Sophia and Arthur standing waist–deep in the lake. This involves close–up shots with Bradley rather than the stuntman.
• [6] Aulfric incanting his spell.
• [4] Sophia and Arthur standing waist–deep in the lake.
• [3] Merlin is still running through the woods. He trips and falls…
• [4] Sophia and Arthur standing in the lake.
• [6] Aulfric still incanting.
• [4] Sophia and Arthur standing in the lake.
• [6] Aulfric incanting.
• [4] Sophia and Arthur in the lake. Sophia kisses Arthur. As you do.
• [6] Aulfric incanting.
• [4] Sophia and Arthur in the lake. Sophia kisses Arthur, and pushes him backwards – but it’s still Bradley, and he doesn’t fall into the water.
• [6] Aulfric incanting.
• [4] Sophia and Arthur in the lake. Sophia pushes Arthur further – it’s still Bradley, and presumably someone is waiting behind there to catch him.
• [5] Sophia and Arthur in the lake, while Aulfric watches from the shore. Bradley’s stunt double falls back into the water and submerges.
• [3] Merlin is still running through the woods. Come on, Merlin!

[7] Arthur sinks

Arthur is sinking down deeper into the lake, as we watch from Sophia’s pov.

This is Bradley again, but filming in a tank in a studio in Battersea, London. So this is definitely on a different day again, in a different location. (Bradley didn’t feel this one was such a stretch to film, as all he was required to do was, ‘Lie back and sink for England.’)

[8] Sophia watches

Sophia is watching Arthur sink.

This is a reverse angle shot from Arthur’s pov. I assume they filmed Sophia from a low angle on dry land, and then added the water effect using CGI or what have you – but I don’t know for sure. A friend suggested a more low-tech solution might have involved a clear plastic tray of water above the camera.

As the scene continues, it is cut with:

• [7] Arthur sinking.
• [3] Merlin running through the woods. Really dragging out the suspense on this one…

[9] Sophia in the lake

Sophia is standing waist–deep in the lake.

I’m assuming the stunt double has been allowed out of the lake now, and Holliday is there on her own.

As the scene continues, it is cut with:

• [8] Sophia watching Arthur sink (reverse angle).
• [7] Arthur sinking.
• [3] Merlin running through the woods, and finally arriving at the lake. Hurrah!

[10] Sophia in the lake, with Aulfric on the shore

Sophia is standing in the lake, while Aulfric watches from the shore. This is now Merlin’s pov as he comes up behind Aulfric.

[11] Merlin at the lake

Merlin is now at the lake, taking in the scene and thinking about what to do.

A reverse angle on Colin, with the woods in the background.

[12] Sophia’s discarded staff

Merlin glimpses Sophia’s staff on the ground at Aulfric’s feet.

As the scene continues, it is cut with:

• [11] Merlin at the lake, deciding what to do and then incanting a spell.
• [12] The staff flies up off the ground.
• [10] Sophia is in the lake, while Aulfric watches from the shore. Sophia’s staff flies towards Merlin – obviously CGI is used here for the staff.
• [11] Merlin catches the staff. Then he aims it at Aulfric and chants the spell.
• [12] Aulfric turns around to see what’s happening.
• [11] Merlin hits Aulfric with magic, using the staff. CGI for the pretty killing light.
• [12] Aulfric cries out. CGI for the light hitting him.

[13] Aulfric explodes

Another one chalked up to Merlin. A mid shot as Aulfric explodes via CGI.

As the scene continues, it is cut with:

• [11] Merlin feels pretty proud of himself.
• [9] Sophia is alarmed, and starts making her way back to shore.
• [11] Merlin’s not having any of that.
• [9] Sophia is still in the lake, protesting.
• [11] Merlin kills her, too. He’s an equal opportunity terminator, for which I have to admire him. CGI for the pretty light.
• [9] Sophia explodes.
• [11] Merlin drops the staff and takes off his jacket. He can go find Arthur now.
• [7] Ah yes. Arthur. He’s still sinking.

[14] Merlin in the lake

Merlin runs into the lake, needing to find Arthur ASAP.

The camera is in the lake, at water level, looking back towards the shore, and Colin is running towards it.

[15] Merlin in the lake (side angle)

A brief side angle as Colin runs past, further into the lake.

[16] Merlin in the lake (reverse angle)

Camera angle from the shoreline as Colin wades further into the lake. Colin must have run into the lake a minimum of three times, and probably lots more.

As the scene continues, it is cut with:

• [15] Merlin wades further into the lake, starting to search for Arthur. A side angle as Colin gets in a bit deeper, maybe hip–deep. He’s wet up to his neck at this point, though of course he’s not allowed to submerge.
• [14] Merlin searching for Arthur in the lake. The camera is in the lake, at water level, facing Colin.
• [15] Merlin searching for Arthur. Side angle.
• [7] Arthur still sinking for England.
• [14] Merlin searching. Camera facing Colin.
• [15] Merlin searching. Side angle.
• [14] Merlin searching.
• [7] Arthur sinking. Obviously has great lung capacity.
• [14] Merlin searching. Colin is getting quite close to the camera now.

[17] Merlin submerges (reverse angle)

Camera angle from the shoreline as Merlin submerges in the water – and of course that’s not Colin now, but a stunt double. He’s just a little too far out to match with the previous shots of Colin, but we won’t get too picky about that.

As the scene continues, it is cut with:

• [7] Arthur sinking.
• [17] Merlin surfaces. Camera angle from the shoreline, and the stunt double.
• [15] Merlin searching for Arthur. Side angle of Colin.
• [17] Merlin re–submerges. Camera angle from the shoreline, and the stunt double.
• [7] Arthur sinking… sinking… And at last Merlin has found him, and grabs him. But, wait! That’s not Colin’s ear! No, it’s someone else in the tank at Battersea.

[18] Merlin and Arthur surface

Merlin and Arthur surface at last with a sploosh. This is all slow motion now, to emphasise the dramatic moment.

The camera is in the lake, at water level, looking back towards the shore, and they surface just in front of us. Only it’s Colin and Bradley with wet hair, and because the actors couldn’t have been submerged, they are faking this a bit – e.g. the camera rises from just under the water, and Colin makes a lovely big splash with his elbow. Hey, it looks good to me.

[19] Merlin and Arthur surface (side angle)

Merlin and Arthur surfacing. Slow motion.

As the scene continues, it is cut with:

• [18] Merlin and Arthur surfacing. Camera facing Colin and Bradley.
• [19] Merlin and Arthur surfacing. Side angle. There are a number of rhythmic cuts back and forth here, as we dwell on the heroic moment.
• [18] Merlin and Arthur resting at the surface. Colin was told not to start dragging Bradley back to shore right away, as they would have quickly got smaller within the shot, which would have lessened the impact of the drama – so basically he had to just hold Bradley there and look like he was recovering. Or something.
• [19] Merlin and Arthur on the surface. Side angle.
• [18] Merlin and Arthur on the surface. Merlin is looking at Arthur now, making sure he’s still alive. Way to spin it out, Colin.

And we cut to an establishing shot of Camelot, and then we are in Arthur’s bedroom with Arthur, Gaius and Merlin. Back to the sets in Cardiff, redressed!

and we’re done

If I’ve missed anything or got it wrong, please feel to comment. Otherwise, I hope you found that interesting. And if I haven’t already made it clear, despite my occasionally wry commentary, I really do admire the efforts our cast and crew put in to bring us our beautiful show.