Film Location Guide
INTRODUCTION
In 1984 Camilla Li and Kristoffer Hauger purchased Mesna Southern Farm. Initially they farmed sheep and pigs along with breeding and training border collie sheep dogs. In 1990 they established the Mesna Icelandic Horse Center and this is now their main priority. By 2009 there was a need for more beds and an efficient commercial kitchen, which led to the acqusition of the neighboring farm, Mesnabakken which offered many charming old houses and a 49 bed guesthouses. Recently they have also developed a range of activities to reach more customers and this has formed the foundation of a complete activity and accommodation center. In 2015, the big screen came to Mesna when the Nils Gaup directed feature film Birkebeinerne was filmed in the area. The whole Li Hauger family and over 40 of the horses took part in filming and such was the praise from the production and crew for the locations, the horses and the staff that film has now become another important part of their repertoire. The centre is located in the scenic mountain village of Mesnali, part of Ringsaker municipality. The nearest city, Lillehammer, is 22 kilometers away.
Camilla is a trained agronomist and riding instructor to level S RIK III. She runs the centre together with Kristoffer and has the primary responsibility for the horses and works as a tour leader. Camilla has ridden horses for more than thirty years.
Kristoffer is a graduate agronomist, farrier, riding judge and riding instructor to level IS RIK III. He runs the centre together with Camilla and has many years of experience as an instructor and guide. He has a wealth of experience with many other horse breeds.
LOCATION GPS:
61.08, 10.81 528m ASL
Lillehammer: Hamar: Oslo: Bergen:
25 minutes 45 minutes 2 hours 7 hours
Railway Station: 20 minutes International Airport 1hour 45 minutes
MAIN FACILITIES 1. Pine tree, rolling hill landscape 2. Horse Arena 3. Mesnabakken Accommodation 4. Rolling paddocks 5. Gravel road 6. Stream 7. Parking Area 8. Barn and office area 9. Stables 10. Round Pen 11. Gardens 12. Fields surrounding lake 13. Cabins (medieval) 14. Lake
EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE ON SITE Digger and excavator Quad bikes Snow scooters
1. PINE TREES / ROLLING HILL LANDSCAPE
Endless hectares of rolling hill and pine tree landscape with dense pine forest and open fields with surrounding trees. All areas accessible by vehicles via numerous access roads. Power available via generator. Access to Lillehammer (and Maihaugen Museum) in 20 minutes. Sjusjøen mountain area is situated 15 minutes away,
2. HORSE ARENA
The horse arena is situated 200 meters from the stables, in a quiet wooded area, free from any kind of disturbance. The grounds comprise a 250-meter oval track with light and sound system. It is a fenced in area.
Tractors Dog sledges Boats
3. MESNABAKKEN ACCOMMODATION
Mesnabakken is an old boarding house which has recently been restored. There is wireless internet and substantial parking areas for vehicles and crew. Main building (27 beds) Most rooms are doubles, but there are also some single and family rooms. Most rooms are equipped with a wash basin. The toilet- and shower facilities are shared and are located in the basement and on the 2nd floor. On the ground floor there is a well-equipped commercial kitchen Large dining and living rooms. Annex (8 beds) A charming smaller house next to the main building. Ideal for senior crew accommodation. There are 4 bedrooms on the 1st floor with 8 beds. The ground floor consists of living room, dining room, kitchen and a bathroom with shower, bathtub and toilet. KĂĽrhus (8 beds) The KĂĽrhus is located in the yard outside the main building. There is a common living room on the upper floor, two bedrooms, a shared bathroom with shower and a separate toilet. Fully equipped kitchen. There are two bedrooms on the 1st floor and two bedrooms on the 2nd floor. Utehus (8 beds) This area has 3 double bedrooms.
4/5. ROLLING PADDOCKS AND GRAVEL ROAD
In front of Mesnabakken is a large rolling paddock area that features long grass and wildflowers in summer. Longer distance view across to lake. Small older style cabin nestled in pine trees. The main road (gravel) that passes the property features a number of curves with trees and grass land sides and extended views to the lake. Road can be closed upon application.
6. STREAM
North of Mesnabakken is a flowing stream that flows into the lake. The road crosses this via a small concrete bridge. Extended views with no powerlines both upstream and downstream. The stream freezes in winter. Easily accessible rocks and small flat stone areas on each side of the stream. Grassy edges of stream through property.
7. PARKING AREA
There are various large parking areas at Mesna. Each film location also has its own parking lot, suitable for larger vehicles and trucks. Portable toilets etc can all be towed directly to these areas.
8. BARN AND OFFICE AREA
The old hayloft has been turned into a unique room. The original ceiling with swallow nests is intact and the large windows provide a fantastic view. The barn is equipped with; • Small kitchen and bar • Projector with large screen This area is ideal for planning meetings, seating 85 people at long tables. Can easily be converted to crew eating area. Small adjacent closed in areas available for staging and green rooms.
9. STABLES
Beneath the barn are the stables, each with individual pens. Sawdust floor. Power. Situated in the same area is an office, saddle rooms, toilets and showers.
10. ROUND PEN
A round fenced paddock outside the stable. Could be utilised for supervised close-up shots with horses.
11. GARDENS
Landscaped English-style gardens are a feature of the property and extend through to cultivated vegetable gardens.
12. FIELDS AROUND LAKE
There is a large area of paddocks and trees that extend across the property to the lake. These feature varied trees to the edge along with large open paddocks. Mains power is available on site. Parking in area available. Summer landscape is typical Norwegian and can be used for a variety of country representations. In winter the area is covered in snow with paths leading through the trees.
13. CABINS (MEDIEVAL)
After filming of Birkebeinerne, Mesna obtained four cabins that were used in the film. The cabins are outside of cultivated fields and secluded from all sides. They are located in the area where critical scenes were filmed, and create an ideal area for any type of location that requires rustic cabins. Full electrical power available.
14. THE LAKE
Southern Mesna Lake extends 10 kilometres. In summer, small secluded bays with pebble beaches. In winter, the lake is frozen allowing filming and access on the ice.
THE ICELANDIC HORSE
The Icelandic horse is a remarkable breed. Sure-footed, intelligent, with a spirited temperament and large personality, the breed was probably originally taken to Iceland by Viking-age Scandinavians in late 800AD. Venerated in Norse mythology and revered by all that work with them, the Icelandic horse is still used for traditional sheepherding in its native country as well as showing, racing and riding in more than 15 nations. As well as the traditional gaits of walk, trot and canter/gallop, the horse can also perform two additional gaits. The first is known as the tรถlt, which features fast acceleration and speed, which is both comfortable and ground-covering. The second is the skein (flying pace) which allows the horses to reach speeds of up to 48 km/h in a fast and smooth manner. The team at Mesna are experts dealing with these amazing horses. They can be utilised in many different film scenarios and their intelligence allows them to work in demanding situations with very little stress. They have a number of experienced riders and can supply over forty horses which can be transported for filming anywhere in Norway.
THE AREA
CONTACT DETAILS Mesna Activities & Accommodation Sørmessenvegen 723 2610 Mesnali Norway info@mesna.no www.mesna.no
TESTIMONIALS Einar Film og Fortellinger — Dnb Bank Commercial Thanks for the great help during and before recording. It was super! Bacon Osl AS — Dnb Insurance Commercial Thank for brilliant effort in Thursday’s shooting! Everyone was very pleased and we would certainly recommend you further. Recke TV — German Ostsee Report for the broadcaster NDR Paradox Film — The Last King film sold to more than 100 countries. Rubicon TV — Lilyhammer, NRK TV
USEFUL LINKS Norwegian Film Commission www.norwegianfilm.com Visit Lillehammer www.lillehammer.com Visit Sjusjøen www.visitsjusjoen.no Western Norway Film Commission www.wnfc.com Ringsaker Community www.ringsaker.kommune.no