Sharkando River Thames Filming

SHARKNADO

BETTER BY WATER

PROJECT DETAILS

When: February 2017
Where: King George V Dock

Cinema aficionados everywhere will be very familiar with the world-famous Sharknado movie franchise, which is why we are delighted to have played our part in some of their recent work!

During production of their latest outing in Sharknado 5, Livett’s were contacted by the producers of the film to assist with a key scene in the movie.

They came to us looking for a dockside location where they were able to shoot a scene in an area not instantly recognisable as London. Crucially, however, there also needed to be enough land nearby to build a fake section of Tower Bridge which would be later CGI’d into the film.

PROJECT VIDEO

HOW LIVETT'S MADE IT HAPPEN

We found the ideal location in the King George V Docks and brokered a deal with the Royal Docks Management Authority (RoDMA) for the use of the area. Once again, this highlighted the many positives of the Royal Docks as a very filming-friendly location to work in, as there are no tides to contend with or concerns about other marine traffic in the area.

Further to this, Livett’s also provided the Thames Vixen as a picture boat in the movie. A working tug, the Vixen was however needed to give the appearance of a tanker ship, so it was dressed as such with containers on board as you can see in the image gallery.

We’re delighted to say that the Vixen and everyone involved on the day survived the might of the Sharknado – other than one unfortunate character in the film!

In terms of what Livett’s did for this marine filming shoot – boat hire, location services and necessary safety management for the shoot – it was relatively straightforward compared to other similar jobs. But you can never take anything for granted when you’re faced with the full force of the Sharknado!

Perhaps that also had something to do with our prior experience; this wasn’t the first time we faced a Sharknado head on. Livett’s are survivors from the production of Sharknado 3, where we helped to film the movie’s promotional music video with everyone’s favourite singing and dancing Irish twins Jedward. That was an experience none of us will ever forget!