"Explore the factors which affected the filming of Slumdog Millionaire"

Boyle, on filming in Mumbai compared it to being “like the sea- always the same but constantly changing”. On a film such as this one, it is easily comprehendible to see why setting could become such an issue (an example being that the day after filming in a specific location a wall had been suddenly built).
     It was claimed that the ‘railway scenes’ were of the most difficult to film. Having to work around the train-stations, with young actors quite literally having to sprint alongside moving trains proving to be a particularly difficult experience.

      In a city such as Mumbai, in which millions of people live, it can easily be imagined how many onlookers were drawn to experience the filming of Slumdog. Cameras and performers will always draw attention, and so working alongside huge crowds of people also provided a further issue. One can only how disorientating the watching of a film to be, to only find hundreds of onlookers staring directly down the camera.

As in any film, casting is key. Loveleen Tandan and Gale Stevens had the difficult job to headhunt the actor’s perfect for the role. Brit Dev Patel was cast as the central lead, being only relatively famous in the UK. Indian star Shanrukh Khan turned down the role due to the negativity of the host-role, and model Freida Pinto was cast as the Latika lead.

Cameras that had originally been used in filming were said to have been ‘too static’. New cameras were brought in, to provide the feeling as being part of the action. Evidentially by watching the film it is clear how the audience feels almost part of the action, we amongst with the characters are in the streets of Mumbai.

Boyle had been reportedly unsure to go through with the making of Slumdog, expressing how he didn’t want to make a film about “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” Originating from the book “Q&A”, the first major issue was the making of twelve short stories into a major screenplay. Tessa Ross alongside Film 4 finally secured the rights, and so production was underway.

The support of Film 4 provided an entire new context to the film. It was clear the film would now have a unique twist; in that it wasn’t the typical blockbuster movie. Film 4 is renowned for individual diversity, in that it provides a range of different films the true recognition that they deserve. Rather than focus on the money or success, Film 4 are much more keen on the magical moments of film; connecting the direct emotion of any film to the everyday viewer.