Blog: Filming in Corfu

Filming in Corfu

When I was asked to go and film a behind-the-scenes feature on The Durrells I obviously jumped at the chance. I knew it wouldn't be the two day holiday in Corfu that most people expected, but I couldn't wait to see what goes into filming a TV series.

I wasn't disappointed.

I work in News. A team of 20-25 of us work on the six o'clock programme each day and any one who has been filmed by one of our crews knows it takes a lot longer than the couple of minutes you see on air. But that is nothing compared to the team working on The Durrells, or the time it takes.

Location for the day I was there was a golf course where a cricket match was being filmed. There were people everywhere, trucks providing refreshments, tents for make-up, gizebos to give shelter from the sun and more camera, sound and light equipment than I had ever seen before.

In the middle of all of this was a cricket ground with the cast acting out a cricket match. Over and over again. I don't think I had realised just how many times a scene had to be repeated to get all the shots needed.

And whilst to the naked eye it looked slightly like chaos, with people everywhere, everyone knew where they needed to be at any one time and the filming seemed to run like clockwork.

I was filming them filming the series, and chatting to the cast in between takes. I also got to chat to the man who trains the birds. (He's Anthony Bloom with credits on Harry Potter and War Horse also to his name), making me realise how much effort goes into just having the animals in scene.

When I had everything I needed I got driven up to take a look around the Durrell's villa. The pink house they use in the series was actually one of the houses Gerald lived in during his time in Corfu. And what a house is it. It was simply stunning, and the views were even more incredible.

In the gardens were all the cages for Gerry's animals (empty whilst I was there as they weren't filming) and inside I got to see some of the rooms they use as the families bedrooms.I was there as the sun was going down and I couldn't think of a more magical setting to film in.

I was lucky enough to watch the first episode of the new series a couple of days ago. My cricket scene isn't in that one, but there's plenty of action at the house and it was great watching knowing that that is exacty how the house and the grounds looks, and it is how it would've looked in Gerald Durrell's day.

I'll also be watching the series and waiting for that cricket scene to come up - knowing just how long it took to film!