Location Scout

Location scouting for a feature film starts in the very early stages, sometimes before Actors have even been cast. The process begins when the Location Manager breaks down the script location by location, and you get your assignments as to which places you will find.

Before you head out with your camera, you, the Location Scout, will meet with the Location Manager to figure out exactly what a location should look and where to shoot it. For example, if the script calls for EXT. BUILDING, you find out what the building is constructed of and in what architectural style, weather it’s raining, snowing, or bright outside, which other scenic elements are present, and whether it’s daytime or nighttime. Just for a start.

Once the list of specific locations requirements is settled, your job as the Location Scout is to dig through your personal archive of usable sites while researching other potential locations that may meet exact specifications. When you find some potential winners, you drive there and photograph the place from different angles and in different lighting situations.

Once your locations get the green light, the administrative portion begins. Now you have to secure all the land use permits, obtain permissions, and deal with legal issues and any crises that pop up.