Kelly Mikulla, Managing Director at Sussex Film Office
MEET KELLY
Kelly Mikulla is Managing Director at Sussex Film Office, the first port of call for productions considering filming in the area. They promote Sussex as a film friendly county and provide production support to feature films, TV programmes, commercials, and photo shoots
SOCIAL
https://www.sussexfilmoffice.co.uk
Sussex Film Office are also on:
Twitter: @FilminginSussex
Instagram: @sussexfilmoffice/
Facebook: @filminginsussex/
How did you get into the film business?
I set up a different company 10 years ago to utilise private and company assets to generate extra revenue. For example, during the recession construction companies or freelance builders had vans sat doing nothing and I would hire them out to people who just wanted to take a sofa to the skip, or if someone owned a marquee they could hire it out for some extra cash. A bit like eBay but rental not buy/sell. This concept evolved into hiring props to the TV and Filming world. I applied for a tender to supply props to the BBC and won it – the contract still continues today. So this leads to doing more for the tv/film industry and when I moved to Sussex 7 years ago I set up Sussex Film Office in 2016.
What does Sussex Film Office do?
Sussex Film Office works with productions taking place in Sussex, from feature films to fashion photoshoots, helping to source locations, permits, cast, crew, and anything else that they may need. There isn’t a limit to what we will help productions with and no two days are the same! We promote Sussex as a number one filming location and also bring revenue to local councils and individuals who list their locations and services.
To help streamline the process I have also built a permit application system for councils and organisations to use. This new process saves everyone huge amounts of time and money.
Why did you set up the office and how long has it been running?
Sussex Film Office has been running since 2016. I had loads of contacts in the industry through hiring out props with my previous business and someone who worked for the council told me to set up a film office as there wasn’t one in Sussex and that’s exactly what I did. I set up a website and never looked back.
What challenges and obstacles did you have to overcome in your first year?
The second the website went live I was busy! I would spend days, even weeks finding the perfect locations and fulfilling the filmmaker needs, as well as trying to build up my database and partnerships. The problem in the first year was I was working so hard and putting so much time and energy into it but not charging enough and I earnt very little.
Still from a music video filmed in Sussex.
What do you think have been the most important factors in Sussex Film Office’s success?
Giving great customer service. Looking after the filmmakers and making sure that have a great experience from the minute they first contact us right through until they wrap.
What famous films and TV dramas have been filmed in Sussex?
Loads - just wrapped on Worzel Gummidge with Mackenzie Crook – released on Christmas Day.
Netflix - The Crown
MotherFAtherSon – with Richard Gere
ITV Drama Cheat
Christopher Robin – Ewan McGregor
We also do loads of Fashion Shoots and Commercials – just wrapped on a Vogue shoot with Harry Styles and a Capital One Advert
Which are the most popular filming locations in Sussex?
Worthing, Seven Sisters Country Park, Beachy Head, and Brighton
What’s your favourite Sussex location?
I have a few favourites because of the team we work with which makes it easy to bring filming down here – in terms of places Lewes, Worthing and Eastbourne and many private locations. We have also just taken on Shoreham Ports which is very exciting
Who have you worked with?
Ridley Scott, Mackenzie Crook, a local writer director William Nicholson
We have over a 1000 clients and worked on at least 600 + productions
Does Sussex offer a wide range of different locations for directors and producers?
Yes, that’s what makes Sussex such a fantastic place to film! You have the picturesque landscape of the South Downs and Seven Sisters white chalk cliffs, as well as loads of fantastic beaches and historic towns. This mixed with industrial areas, derelict buildings and isolated locations means that Sussex offers a bit of every type of location.
Which have been the most memorable productions you have worked with at Sussex Film Office?
It’s hard to say, they have all been memorable for different reasons. Some are memorable because I liked the film or stars in it and others are memorable because they ran so smoothly and were a dream to wok on.
How have you had to adapt working practices during the pandemic?
We were hit hard by the lockdown as it meant all productions stopped and we had no work coming in. We had to adapt to working from home and focusing on new ways to build the business as well as admin tasks we don’t usually have time for.
Are film productions starting up again?
Since June we have worked on a lot of commercials and photo shoots and in mid-September three dramas started filming. Slowly but surely productions are starting up again and we are working on our first film (for Netflix) since lockdown which starts shooting later this month and we are hoping more will follow.
Do you think Sussex has the potential to attract even more productions to film here?
Absolutely! We are discovering new locations all the time and working hard to promote them. Currently we are working with directors and producers in the USA who are interested in filming here so it just goes to show how far Sussex’s reputation is reaching.
There are also new studios opening on our doorstep In Ashford, Kent in 2022 so we are hopeful that will attract a lot of new business.
We have exciting plans for the future!
