A TV drama asks more of its cars than a single shoot does. A character's car may appear in every episode, across months of filming, in different weather and locations. CarSeen sources period-correct cars for television series and helps keep them consistent from the first block to the last.
Right for the year, the place and the person
Getting the year right is only the start. A street in 1974 wouldn't be full of 1974 cars. Most of the traffic would be several years old, with a few new models and some much older cars still going. Region matters too: what you'd see in a northern mill town is different from a West London mews. And the car has to suit its owner in the story, whether that's a detective, a vicar or a family on a tight budget.
Our catalogue of thousands of cars runs from pre-war to the 1990s, which gives us plenty of room to build a believable mix.
Continuity across a series
When a hero car appears in several episodes, it needs to be available for every block, look the same each time and stay reliable. We discuss your schedule with owners before anything is confirmed, including:
- Holds and dates: how long the car needs to be kept free, and what happens if the schedule moves.
- Appearance: agreeing that the car won't be changed, repainted or modified between blocks.
- Backup options: a similar car we could bring in if something goes wrong.
The lived-in look
Many surviving period cars are restored to a better standard than they ever were when new. That's fine for a showroom, but real cars of the time were dusty, faded and sometimes rusty. Where the story calls for it, we look for honest, original cars, and we talk to owners about what dressing is acceptable.
Flashbacks and multiple eras
Some series jump between decades. We can source for each timeline in one brief, so your art department has a single point of contact. For individual classics, see classic car hire for filming.
Related
FAQ
Can you supply a full street of period background cars?
Yes, we can source several cars for street scenes. The number and mix depend on the period, location and how much notice we have.
Can a car be kept for a whole series?
Often, yes. We agree holds and dates with the owner up front, so you know what's available and when.
Can cars be dressed or aged for a scene?
Only with the owner's agreement. Many owners are happy with temporary, removable dressing. Anything permanent is rarely an option.
Planning a period series?