Arabella Gilbert has worked on film sets, starting from the popular show “Band of Brothers” to “Harry Potter”, from “Troy” to “The Man from UNCLE”, from Bond to Bourne. Working across productions in over 15 countries, Citizen Femme talked her favourite projects, getting localised and working with Brad Pitt.
You travel a lot for work, what’s your favourite or even least favourite part of that experience?
My favourite part of travelling to a film location is the unexpected, not knowing what awaits. The excitement & anticipation of working with a new team whilst experiencing a new culture from tasting new food & wine, meeting new people, experiencing new cultures. The unknown.
When you’re staying long-term in a country, how to you integrate with the culture of the locals?
Honestly, I cheat! I go onto A Small World and I meet locals who are part of ASW. I have filmed all over the world from Berlin to Madrid to Ireland and further afield in Panama, Turkey, The Bahamas, Morocco, Mexico and Malta to name a few. It only takes one connection and then before I know it I have a solid group of local civilised friends who introduce me to their friends and help me settle and feel a local in their country. I can assure you after 7 months in a country, it can be pretty hard to get on a plane and go ‘home’.
Do you think film has an impact on travel?
Yes very much so. Recently I was sailing with my family around Thailand and there were touts selling trips to James Bond Island. I have been lucky enough to work on 3 Bond films and know it is not the Bond franchise that has orchestrated such a trip! It only takes a scene in a famous film to be linked to a location and it changes forever. For better or worse.
What has your favourite experience been filming?
I was working on a Brad Pitt movie. I loved the thrill of racing from unit base to set, across sand dunes, on a Production issued quad bike. The thrill was short lived as I was then promoted to a 3rd Assistant Director after a month and from then on spent my days wrangling 1200 background artists on foot! In close second would be during Quantum of Solace which we shot in Panama – I met a wonderful man who very kindly lent me his islander plane and pilot on a handful of ‘rest days’ so that my friends and I could experience the most remote parts of Panama first hand. Heaven!
Would you ever change your lifestyle for a more stationary situation?
Yes! I dream of a quiet life back home in the Devon countryside. One day!!
If you could pick any travel destination to film in, where would it be and why?
I would pick Africa as I have always dreamt of filming there. The sunrises and sunsets. The culture. Who wouldn’t?!!
Any Questions or Tips to add?