What does the scene need?
Look at the set, the scene, the references, and what has to happen on screen.
For location managers, producers, and ADs
Location Scouting
Find a location that looks right and can actually handle the shoot.
Look at the scout photos, access, sound, parking, base camp, fee, available dates, and site rep. Once the team makes a choice, show everyone where the trucks go, where crew parks, and who to call.
From first scout to tech scout
Find it. Check it. Choose it. Prep it.
The location has to work for camera and for the company. Start with the scene, walk the options, make the choice, then sort out how the shoot will work there.
See the options
Shoot photos and note the address, avail, fee, access, sound, contacts, and restrictions.
Make the choice
Put the options in front of the director and producers and choose the location.
Prep the shoot
Confirm load-in, base camp, truck and crew parking, holding, hospital, and site rep.
On the scout
The answers everyone asks for later
Once production likes a place, the same questions always come up. Is it available? Who is the site rep? What is the fee? Where are the photos, restrictions, and agreement?
Places still in the mix
See every place being considered for the same set and which one the production chose.
Photos and walkthroughs
See the scout photos, reference images, video, and the parts of the property being considered.
Avail
See which dates work, which do not, and where the owner has restrictions.
Owner and site rep
Know who controls the property, who will be there on the shoot day, and how to reach them.
Location fee
See the rate, number of days, and what the location will cost the production.
Permits and agreements
Put permits, location agreements, releases, maps, insurance files, and scout notes with the location.
Will it actually work?
The look is only half the scout
Before the producer signs off, the location manager and AD need to know whether a full company can get in, shoot the scenes, and make the day.
- Can the trucks get in, turn around, stage, and load out?
- Where do crew park, talent hold, and departments stage their gear?
- Can Sound live with the traffic, aircraft, neighbors, or nearby work?
- Are there enough restrooms, power, water, and working space?
- Where are base camp, the nearest hospital, and any off-site storage?
- What restrictions, safety issues, permits, or neighborhood concerns still need to be cleared?
LocationWarehouse Loft
Load-inSouth gate
Parking40 crew / 6 trucks
PowerHouse power available
Fee$2,500 / day
What are we shooting here?
See What You're Shooting at This Location
A single location might double for several sets. Keep the scenes, set names, scout photos, and creative references together so everyone knows what is being shot at the location.
- See every set assigned to the location.
- Open the related scenes before a scout or production meeting.
- Keep creative references beside the scout photos.
- Identify where each scene will be filmed on the property.
SCRIPTED SET: DETECTIVE'S LOFT
Scenes 18, 24, and 31 • Warehouse Loft • Scout photos and creative references attached.
For the tech scout
Give every department the same location packet
The director needs the photos. ADs need access and holding. Transportation needs truck and crew parking. Grip and Electric need to know about power and load-in. Put those answers into the location PDF before the meeting.
- Map the shooting location, base camp, parking, hospital, and storage.
- Show the address, site rep, avail, and location fee.
- Include scout photos and the references for each set.
- Print access, sound, power, restrictions, and department notes.
Shooting LocationBase CampCrew Parking
Scout the location. Work out the logistics.
Keep photos, contacts, access, parking, base camp, and location notes together before the company arrives.
Scout a Location