PreProduction Unit- Investigating Possible Locations and Arranging Recees.

I have been trying to accomplish a lot of my responsibilities as producer recently, and this includes scouting out locations or us to use in our film. I have found that it is extremely difficult securing locations on such a small-scale student budget, as many film locations want up-front payment for their facilities and charge an amount of money we cannot afford.
The most difficult location I feel I have been trying to find, is the laboratory set we will be using for several small scenes in our film. The problems I have been having include the fact that although the scenes we want to film in the laboratory are extremely short, the cost of securing a location, as well as the cost to reach the locations have been very expensive compared to the cost of securing and getting to other locations. I feel this isn't very cost effective for us, and so it has taken me quite a while to find somewhere appropriate.

However, I have recently found the Discovery Park in Kent and immediately fell in love with the location. Situated in Sandwich in Kent, I found the locations website to be very informative, with many photographs showcasing the fantastic architecture of the location. I also discovered that the location has been used in the recent film "World War Z" starring Brad Pitt, which to me immediately added a sense of legitimacy when it came to selecting it as a professional film shoot.

The website also features a 3d view tour of the complex, which gave me a better idea of what to expect.

After finding the location, I contacted Renata, who is in charge of mediating the kind of film proposition I have for the company. I was asked what our budget was. At first, this disheartened me, as I felt that as students, they would realize we didn't have too much money to spent on renting a location and immediately tell us no, but to my surprise, Renata told me that payment could be discussed at a later date, and that payments were calculated at a case by case status. I was then invited to perform a recee at the location, which I agreed to.
I would like to visit the location as soon as possible with Charlie to determine whether or not the laboratory has the kind of atmosphere he wants our film to portray, but from what I have seen of the website, and the film World War Z, I feel that the location will definitely suit our needs.

The only potential problems I envision, is the cost of reaching the location. Sandwich, from what I can gather is a relatively remote location, and costs a lot of money to get to if you are taking train, and even when arriving by car. Therefore, I will continue to search for other suitable locations, but at the moment, I am very interested in securing this location for a shoot in January 2016.