A Night at the Museum – Well, the London Film Museum

Ever wondered what makes British film so magical? Well, London as a Capital City has a huge part to play in making it what it is today, and to celebrate, The London Film Museum launches its Lights Camera Action! Exhibition in Covent Garden just in time for Christmas.

Being lucky enough to take a sneak peek around last night, I discovered that audiences visiting this exhibition will be able to follow a number of different themes, such as “Working London, Royal London, Musical London”, which help make British Film, set in London something that isn’t just magical, but iconic for many years, past, present and future.

Me blending in slightly with the wonderful Union Jack Mini on display

As you enter the exhibition you’ll be able to learn about the history of film, from Kodak to Lumiere, and get your hands on a couple of exhibits of early projectors and early animation techniques. Further into the exhibition the themes become more apparent and you will find yourself wandering into various sectioned off areas dedicated to a particular time in London-based film.

Just one of the many “themed” areas at this exhibition.

As interesting as this exhibition was, one of the things I love about a behind the scenes, educational experience of film, is the ability to see props, manuscripts, costumes and never before seen photographs/stills. At this exhibition, you see some of this, but in my mind, unfortunately not nearly enough. There are some great props like the throne from Cate Blanchett’s Elizabeth, or the original script from Lionel Bart’s Oliver. There are also a lot of film posters on display, but essentially, for the majority of the exhibition, you are reading text off a board with a few still shots beside it and some projections of famous London films in the background.

Some of the props on display – these were taken from Love Actually

With all this being said, it’s still a very enjoyable exhibition, and for a small venue round the corner from Covent Garden, if you fancy something filmy and new this Christmas period, then its most definitely worth a look. Plus, it’s free!

The London Film Museum’s Lights, Camera Action exhibition opens 21^st December.

Tags: A Night at the Museum, British Film, Camera, Cate Blanchett, Covent Garden, Elizabeth, Exhibition, Film, Lights, Lights Camera London!, Lionel Bart, London, London Film Museum, Movies, Museum, Musical, Musical London, Oliver, Oliver the Musical, Oscars, press, Press Event, rebecca perfect, Royal London, Working London