Case Study: Eastenders

Location: Borehamwood

Date: 2012

Client: BBC

Equipment: Children’s galloping horse carousel

What we did: We supplied the BBC with our children’s carousel for the Eastenders Christmas specials in 2012. It was the perfect feature, to work within the small area of the Albert Square set, and provide a light and colourful focal point to the outdoor scenes at Christmas. The delivery and install was reasonably straight forward. We knew the set was quite tight, so we were sure to send an experienced driver to ensure the lorry was placed in the exact position to unload, with the minimum of fuss. Parts of the decorative rounding boards of the Gallopers with our name on were covered up, to prevent any promotion or advertisement. As this was a two week shoot, we were asked if we could train supporting actors to operate the carousel. After we had set up, we provided a training course to two of the SAs, as well as an assistant director. Once they were comfortable with the task in hand, our staff training documents were signed, and all other sign offs were completed. We returned two weeks later and removed the carousel. The production team thought the carousel was amazing, and we were booked for a return in 2013, until a last minute script change resulted in the carousel being deemed unnecessary. The carousel also provided a great opportunity for promotional images for the show, which featured heavily in the press releases leading up to the show airing.