Location Scouting for Video and Photo Projects

Learn about how to find and secure a location for your video production or photo shoot.

Introduction

• How does location scouting work?

1. The Importance of the Location

• What is location scouting?
• The reason we do location scouting

2. Before You Begin Scouting

• Identifying your scenes
• Identifying your time and budget restrictions
• Identifying the logistic needs of your production
• Identifying your possible shoot dates
• Identifying the creative needs of your production
• Creating your location goals and checklist

3. Finding Your Location

• Where do you start to look for locations?
• Submitting a location request
• Is there a need for permits?
• Getting the most out of your location

4. Beginning an Onsite Survey

• Who should go on the site survey?
• Creative decisions to make
• What gear do you need to bring on your location scout?
• Answering location questions with virtual scouting

5. What to Accomplish on Your Survey

• Technical considerations
• Essential sun calculations
• Forecasting and monitoring the weather
• Know your shooting environment
• Sound considerations
• Art direction considerations
• Location access and time of day considerations
• Identifying production risks
• Confirming possible scenes
• Identifying local laws and restrictions
• Identifying resources for production
• Identifying staging
• Internet connectivity
• Securing written permission and location releases

Conclusion

• Next steps