The BBC’s TV reality show The Great British Sewing Bee first aired in 2013.
Eight seasons later and it’s a firm favourite for viewers with a prime time showcasing the skilful and creative work of the UK’s top amateur home sewers.
FAME Pro supported Love Productions – the production company behind global hit The Great British Bake Off – when they wanted to film backstory segments for the contestants featuring in the next season. As part of a wider 12-day shoot, production headed to Worthing, West Sussex.
Worthing is a historic seaside town situated less than 90-minutes from London Victoria by train and 20 minutes from Brighton. It’s one of the biggest seaside towns on the South Coast. As a traditional seaside town, it is an integration of classic and contemporary and has much to offer filmmakers – from a Victorian Pier, National Parks and Medieval Monuments.
On behalf of Worthing Council, FAME Pro assisted with access to film at Goring Greensward Park. As part of a backstory sequence, production wanted to shoot footage of one of the contestants riding her motorbike along Marine Drive near the park.
The shoot was very quick! Filming took place in less than an hour – a small crew of three were in the area for approximately 30 minutes. With the crew in high vis jackets, and local police informed of their presence and plan, shots were captured of the contributor passing on her bike with the sea in the background; no road closures were needed.
The contestant featured in the motion shot is a keen biker and was keen to share where she lived. The location provided a safe place to achieve the shot with the contestant on the road and the crew able to film from a distance.
“Very smooth, quick and efficient service! Very helpful and friendly staff too making it all a lot easier. Was a good location for what we need[ed], had the park and beach in the background which is what we wanted to show.”
Anna Balchin, Production Coordinator, Love Productions
Season nine of The Great British Sewing Bee is due for release in Spring 2023 (date TBD) on BBC One.