Scouting for purple turtles...

As a group, we started to explore a location for our reading music scene idea. We planned to scout two different locations and start asking for permissions; looking at Oakford social club and Purple Turtle in Reading was first call because of how popular these venues are and how much they impact on the music scene too.

Purple Turtle

Purple Turtle Bar [online] at: http://www.purpleturtlebar.com/reading/ (accessed on 13.11.2017)

• Set up by two guys in the local Reading music scene
• Home to many local Reading bands Palm Honey, The amazons and Sundara karma 
• Longest running Reading bar

Oakford Social Club

Oakford Social Club [online] at: https://www.oakfordsocialclub.com/venue (accessed on 13.11.2017)

• Hosts many local DJs and bands 
• Been a venue for popular music artists such as Adele, Florence + The Machine and Mumford and Sons

On the train to Reading, as a group we created a list of risks which we might come across if we potentially filmed at these locations following the risk assessment form we had on hand. 

Starting at Oakford social club; suitably located across from the main reading train station, our group walked around the premises and noted any fire exits and potentially risks against the risk assessment form we had. Below is a list of ideas, practicalities and a brief risk assessment for Oakford.

We also took some snaps to highlight any risk, consider potential shots and to show everyone what the venue looks like. 

Outside the front, first exit.

Venue shot, Two fire exits out front w/ table and seating.

Potential interviewing area, secluded

Potential backdrop for interviews

Fire exit

Helpful information to show how serious the venue is about health and safety

Potential interview location

Hanging lighting and artworks, dimly lit, food and drinks being served

Venue staging, hanging lights and speakers, small area

Potential location for interviews, boothed area

Back door, fire exit

Outside, half covered, potential backdrops and interview area

After looking at the location and speaking with some of the staff members we considered this to be a low risk venue to shoot in and would use it for interviews if we needed somewhere more quiet, however we have ruled this venue out unless we need some more footage/interviews.

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Purple Turtle - Main Venue

We all agreed that visually Purple Turtle is perfect to shoot at night as there are many different coloured lights throughout the venue and wouldn't like to tamper with the aesthetic and authenticity of the Purple Turtle vibe as this is what is so important to the community.

In the outside garden, not all covered but upstairs and under the stairs area is covered and heated

Under the stairs, well lit, potential interview area

Potential interview background

Outside, interview area, well lit, heated

Art/aesthetic shots

Walking throughout the venue whilst it had rained during the day made the decking wet and slightly slippery, could be a potential hazard if we are carrying equipment throughout the venue

Downstairs in the cellar, interview area, dimly lit, usually quiet

Upstairs inside, pop culture inspired background for interviews, busy area, possibly noisy

After visiting both venues, we discussed the practicalities of using Purple Turtle; after much consideration, as a group we all agreed that noise would be a really big issue with filming as there would be people talking, amps, live music and background music. Thinking about recording the live bands music; we also thought about whether or not there would be interference between a potential boom and the amps, the overall quality of sound we would record could be poor due to the sheer volume that the amps amplify. 

Also filming interviews during the night would be difficult as the boom would potentially pick up other louder conversations around us. As a group, we have considered shooting interviews during the day instead as this would allow us a clearer sound but we thought it might lose some of the character of Purple Turtle seeing it empty during the day, We would have to look into this further. 

We also discussed the capacity of people in the venue could be an issue as we would have to be extremely careful and considerate of the equipment and surroundings. Drinks are served all night and people tend to spend most of the night drinking in the venue so filming later in the night might put us in harm of any drunkenness which comes with bars/clubs and our equipment too as liquids are spilled frequently. 

Whilst walking through the venue, lighting was a very important factor to consider as going into the venue we knew this could be a potential issue, some areas like the downstairs cellar are dimly lit and could use external lights to create a more appealing shot. However, we believe keeping to the venues own lighting aesthetic is key to capturing the place in all of its authenticity. 

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References

Purple Turtle Reading Facebook Page [online] at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/purpleturtlereading/about/?ref=page_internal (accessed on 13.11.2017)

Purple Turtle Bar [online] at: http://www.purpleturtlebar.com/reading/ (accessed on 13.11.2017)
Oakford Social Club [online] at: https://www.oakfordsocialclub.com/venue (accessed on 13.11.2017)