On the day The Dark Knight Rises is released in UK cinemas, the film’s Unit Production Manager, Thomas Hayslip, explains how filming the audacious opening sequence in the Highlands of Scotland benefitted the blockbuster.
Although the actual sequence was very difficult, and there were many regulatory hurdles to overcome, working in Scotland was a pleasure.
When the Producers decided to bring the opening aerial sequence to the Highlands, I had a very short amount of time to find locations and do a feasibility study, literally a week. Trish Shorthouse and her team at the Highlands of Scotland Film Commission played a pivotal role in making it all happen.
Although the sequence took place in the air at 10,000 feet, we needed landing zones for parachutists, planes, helicopters and falling objects. These landing zones needed to be tied to Inverness Airport and stunning backdrops, which there is no shortage of in the Highlands.
The Dark Knight Rises filming near Inverness
Once I defined the fly zone, Trish and her team worked quickly to track down land owners, securing preliminary permissions form local and national agencies, and providing any information and contacts I needed to ensure we could pull the sequence off in Scotland.
We also had a great amount of cooperation from Estate owners, farmers, the military, the Inverness airport, and generally anyone we contacted.
I loved the landscape, people and ease of working in Scotland. I would definitely shoot there again.
Thanks to Thomas Hayslip. The Dark Knight Rises is in UK cinemas now.
Find out more about filming in the Highlands of Scotland by contacting the Film Commission team.
