Initial Location Research

Initial Location Research  

These are some of the locations considered for the shoot and why they relate to Sheffield and the northern soul scene. (some words are not my own)

THE SHOWCASE CINEMA

- Similar vibe and aesthetic to it as the wigan casino club, being built towards the end of the northern soul era it has a style from around the time.

- “In 1936, the icon that we now all know as The Showroom cinema first opened. Back then, it was a motor store and went under the name Kennings Car Showroom. Over the next fifty years, the space goes through many transitions – from garage to council-owned building to art space. It wasn’t until 1989, though, that the cinema and gallery officially came to be. Sir Richard Attenborough launched the infamous Showroom Project in that year, and the rest is history. The building itself has an Art Deco style reflecting the period in which it was built. As you come into the city from the train station, this building is likely the first thing you’ll see.”

NORTON WATER TOWER

- Good for views and a stone background

- “Since the mid 1970s, the Norton Water Tower has stood tall, overlooking the streets of the city. At 109 ft high, the structure is one of the most impressive around these parts. If you want to see a mind-blowing look at the city, travel to the top of this tower where an open gallery allows you a fantastic panoramic view.”

CITY HALL

- The heart of sheffield, pillars good to frame an image

- Used for a music video by band Milburn for a northern soul style dance

- Traditional disco floor 

- Host venue to Sheffield northern soul nights

- The colours of the room would be a great aesthetic for backdrops

- “Incorporating classical architecture elements, it is hard to ignore Sheffield City Hall. The building is made of sandstone, which gives it its traditional, yet regal look. The city hall has been open since 1932 and is the heart of our lovely town.”

PARK HILL FLATS

- Industrial look, iconic graffiti

-“Nicknamed ‘San Quentinn’ by some locals because, you guessed it, it looks like a jail, Park Hill Flats are a true icon – if a little ugly. Back in 1961, the people of Sheffield welcomed this sterile looking building to the city. One of the most notable things about this building is the infamous graffiti on its bridge. ‘Clare Middleton I love you will u marry me’ read the original text, which was supposedly a real life proposal. When Urban Splash revamped the flats a few years ago, they chose to illuminate the ‘I love you will u marry me’ portion of the text.”

STEEL, KELHAM ISLAND, MAGNA

- The city of steel

-Used to be the heart of the industrial steel business Sheffield is known for, now after years of being out of use is a big part of Sheffields food and night life scene, supporting local small businesses.

MILLENIUM GALLERY 

-“Art lovers will also want to visit the nearby Millennium Gallery featuring metalwork, contemporary art, and design exhibitions, as well as the city's unique Ruskin collections. It also hosts touring exhibitions from partners including the Victoria and Albert, the Tate and the National Portrait Gallery. Also close by are the Lyceum Theatre and the Crucible Theatre, reopened in 1990 after extensive restoration, and the fascinating Site Gallery, home to an eclectic mix of moving images, new media, and performance art.”

 -Helps bring different arts and cultures to the city, the most national museum of the city in terms of links

Very popular with regular all year round exhibitions with guest exhibitions that bring in a wide audience.

- “The Millennium Gallery is Sheffield’s premier destination for art, craft and design. Here you can see some of Sheffield’s unique heritage, including the metalwork which made the city world famous, alongside contemporary art and design exhibitions. As well as being home to the city's unique Ruskin and metalwork collections, Millennium Gallery hosts some of the finest touring exhibitions in the country, from partners including the V&A, Tate and National Portrait Gallery.”

INDEPENDENT SHOPS AND CAFES

- Vinyl shops, indie shops, indie cafes

- Small business help the culture of Sheffield thrive, bringing uniqueness to the aesthetic and community of the city.

- To name a few locals think of as iconic Sheffield;

Barny Goodman tailors

Rare and racy- as far back as the 70s

JL/ Coles

Record collector

WINTER GARDENS

- Iconic part of the city centre

- Great natural and colourful background for shoots from the trees and plants

BOTANICAL GARDENS

- Great natural and colourful background for shoots from the trees and plants

- The green house would make a pretty background for a more feminine shoot compared to the steel industry look.

- “Sheffield Botanical Gardens cover 19 acres and were first opened in 1836. Originally designed by Robert Marnock in the Gardenesque style, the site now has fifteen different garden areas featuring collections of plants from all over the world, including Mediterranean, Asian, American prairie-style, woodland and rock-and-water plantings.

The National Collections of Weigela, Diervilla and Sarcococca are sited here. The Gardens contain several listed buildings including the restored Grade II* listed curvilinear Glass Pavilions, some of the earliest ever built, which were officially re-opened by HRH The Prince of Wales on 1 September 2003. A beautiful getaway in the centre of Sheffield's cityscape, the Gardens provide a place of pleasure and education for all the family and provide a magnificent setting for the many events held there throughout the year.”

PEAK DISTRICT

- Natural backgrounds for a shoot, no distractions in the background, all the focus can go on the styling and composition 

- So much variety in what the location could be, from forest to hills to fields

- The peak district is an iconic piece of Yorkshire known for being ‘God’s Own country’

-“Right at the heart of England… 

The Peak District’s very special qualities are well known to the people who live in the towns and cities that surround the National Park but for visitors from further away, whether from Britain or abroad, the magic of the Peak District is just waiting to be discovered.

A short break, or longer holiday, will allow you to explore some of England’s most spectacular scenery and in the towns, villages and hamlets - amongst the prettiest in the country - you will find a warm and genuine welcome wherever you go. Every taste is catered for and many exciting activities are available. 

The Peak District also enjoys the most extensive public transport network of any national park giving you a unique chance to visit the countryside without having to worry about taking the car. Peak Connections publishes guides to visiting top attractions by bus or train.”

THE CRUCIBLE THEATRE

- “A beloved icon in the centre of the city, the Crucible has played host to an impressive line-up of actors, dancers and directors over the years since it opened in 1971.

The Crucible, its Studio theatre and its next-door sister the Lyceum together form the country's largest theatre complex outside of London. Along with the Library Theatre, they each face onto Tudor Square, making for a thoroughly thespian corner of the city centre.

Since the Crucible was renovated and reopened in 2010, the addition of its colourful facade has kept the far end of the square well lit by night. It's an alluring place, inviting people walking along Surrey Street to stop off and pay it a visit. And it's just as beautiful on the inside.”

LEADMILL/MAIDA VALE

- Music venues of a similar style to those that would have been used during the northern soul era

-The leadmill is one of Sheffield’s most iconic music venues and host to many indie nights, having the same vibe and sense of community as a northern soul night would have had