Hospital's starring role in cinema
Hospital film location manager Peter Asmah has rubbed shoulders with Russian mobsters, helped organise a prison break and even seen the end of the world in his role as film liaison manager at Central Middlesex Hospital.
It is a popular location with filmmakers and has received numerous makeovers including masquerading as an American hospital in spy thriller Jason Bourne.
It most recently accommodated critically acclaimed TV dramas Bodyguard, Forgiving Earth, Hard Sun, Love Type D, Pure and Trauma.
Peter said: “We don’t actively promote ourselves as a film location but still accommodate around 10-15 productions a year.
"The majority of production companies are here for two to three days but there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work."
The trust charge £2,500 a day with companies signing a £10 million public liability insurance agreement before any filming takes place.
Peter added: “I’m on site throughout the shoot ensuring crews stick to the agreed areas and don’t interfere with the day-to-day running of the hospital.
“I remember one Bollywood company covering the main hospital entrance sign with ‘London City Hospital’ which I had to step in and remove.”
Peter will accommodate several visits by production crews before a contract is signed and checks scripts for anything that may reflect the hospital in a poor light.
He drew the line at a group of bloodied people being whipped in the reception area but did give the green light to 28 Days Later, a horror film whose undead stars didn’t appear in the opening scenes of the ‘abandoned’ hospital.
Peter said: “It’s always interesting to watch something being filmed and then see the finished product on the big screen. It’s an amazing transformation.”
Adverts, TV shows and films that have featured the hospital include Apocalypse Slough, The British Heart Foundation, Lucky Man, McMafia, Top Boy, Silent Witness and London Kills.
So, does Peter have any aspirations to appear in front of the camera?
“No,” he laughs. “I’m quite happy to leave it to the professionals.”