She’s a woman of many talents, whose sense of purpose and passion impacts every industry she touches – whether as one of India’s most prominent female producers or a stylist of innumerable influential looks. Here, Rhea Kapoor brings her considerable creative vision to Bicester Village to capture how she brings a prospective film set to life.

Setting the scene

Context is the first thing that Rhea considers when thinking about how to establish a sense of place. “I want the frame to be able to tell a story and to take a narrative forward,” she says, “...to see how interesting it can be and how many details I can pick up in just one shot.” Her initial impression of the Village was an immediate sense of charm and fun. “I wanted to disappear in it,” she reveals.

In detail

Close-up shots are led by her connection to colour. “I like it when colours surprise me by coming together in ways I didn’t expect,” says Rhea, who was immediately drawn to the variety of hues in the Village’s beautifully decorated facades and the vibrant mix of visitors. “It delights you and makes you feel that everything is unique in the moment.” Another detail that caught her eye during the balmy summer day? Cool, refreshing sorbets in sunshine-inspired hues.

A point of view

Camera movement is key for Rhea in capturing a character’s perspective and how they view a specific scene. “Whenever I’m editing one of my films, I am always looking for the camera to move and go forward, adding energy to the film – the perspective, the story,” she shares. Meandering through Bicester Village brought her creativity to life. “I thought of so many different narratives that you could capture in a space like this and my producer’s mind went crazy.”

Striking aspects

Unique and cultural features of a location lend specificity to a scene and, ultimately, bring depth to a story. In the Village, Rhea was struck by the way that fashion brands from around the world have come together, reflecting that, “a lot of these legacy fashion houses bring their traditions and where they’re from into who they are. Somehow, in this one Village, everyone is making, you know, a happy fashion family, and I think that’s really nice.”

Come rain or shine

Then there are the fluctuations in light and weather to consider. “Light is everything when it comes to film,” she divulges. “It can be a good thing or a bad thing. Sometimes the weather is not on your side when you’re planning a scene or a mood around how the light hits a particular place. Sometimes, things don’t work out the way you want them to.” Luckily, this isn’t a problem when shopping. “If it rains you can always pop into a boutique, so it’s fine – there’s always a happy ending!”

Capturing atmosphere

Candid shots and ambient sounds help to encapsulate the environment of a set location. As Rhea assesses the landscape of the Village, she alights on the sound of laughter, excited footsteps and the credit card payment readers, chuckling. “I’m actually surprised by how many families are blending in with serious shoppers and it’s really nice to see,” she reveals. “I see familiar faces, I see editors of magazines and at the same time I see little kids running around, and I think that’s a great mix.”