How To Become A Location Scout: Deep Dive Into Location Scouting

I have been asked this question many times over the years, so I thought I would write a post on it. My definition of a location scout is someone who finds locations for filmmakers and photographers.

This could be a single location or multiple locations. It could be an interior, exterior, urban, rural, portrait or even a wedding location in the case of someone booking locations for a photographer.
 

Location scouts are also responsible for “checking out” locations after construction has begun.

They ensure that the location is safe and secure and that it looks exactly as it was projected in their initial scouting report. In addition, they may troubleshoot any issues that arise during filming.

Scouts who work at film studios are known as studio location managers or associate location managers.

These individuals manage the location staff for television shows and films being shot on studio lots. They communicate with production companies to arrange filming schedules and coordinate major projects such as feature films or television shows that require larger-scale sets and more extensive post-production work.

A typical day for a location scout might begin by gathering information on new productions and even newly opened buildings in a certain city.

In addition to that, they’re taking what is often freelance work to find individual locations (or sets of locations) for upcoming film production.

What Is A Location Scout?

Location scouts can work for filmmakers directly, or for agencies that supply filmmakers and photographers with locations. In the UK there are very few photographers who are self-sufficient in finding their locations.

Most use an agency to find most of their locations and then maybe book them directly if they like the look of them. In the USA it’s common for photographers to hire their scouts and book their locations.

The fees vary enormously depending on how much experience the scout has and what level or type of photographer they are working for. A scout will usually work freelance but may work through an agency.

Some will work on assignments from an agency to find a specific location and other times they may be given a budget and a brief by an agency to go out and source a selection of possible locations that fit within that brief.

Scouts can also work on location in different parts of the world, such as Europe & Africa, Asia & Australia, and more.

   

What Does A Location Scout Do?

We think of actors and actresses as the stars of a film or television program, but they can’t perform without a stage on which to act. As for location scouts, we are the designers of that stage.

We find the perfect places for our clients to tell their stories. Location scouting is a difficult job, but it can be incredibly rewarding.

It’s an amazing feeling when you find the perfect location for your project, one that will make the client happy and give you the shots you need to tell your story. So what exactly do we do? Here are just some of the things a Location Scout might do: Find locations – You’ll spend most of your time driving around looking for new locations that match a client’s specific needs – from large commercial buildings to residential homes and even county parks and state lands.

You’ll also want to keep an eye out for unique set dressing items like vintage cars or period-specific décor pieces. Talk to property owners – Once you’ve found a location it’s time to talk about getting permission to use it in your project.

You’ll need to contact property owners, arrange visits and negotiate shooting dates and rates with them. Don’t worry though – most property owners are excited when filmmakers come to town!

How To Become A Location Scout?

As a location scout, you’ll be responsible for finding places that can be used as the backdrop to film. You’ll search for locations that can create a sense of place in the film, and you’ll need to know your way around the city.

Location scouts are often production assistants who are looking for ways to advance their careers. However, if you already have experience in filmmaking and want to get into scouting, there are opportunities available.

To become an assistant location manager, you’ll need to start by working on productions as a PA (production assistant) or runner. Many people will start as PAs and end up becoming location managers.

While working as a PA on any film or TV project will give you valuable experience in the industry, it is particularly useful if the project is being shot in your area. This will help you understand how local projects work and where you might find good locations.

If you go this route, remember that your job is to be useful but not intrusive. If the location manager notices that you’re getting into his or her line of sight too often, he may think that you’re trying to do his job instead of just helping him out when he needs it.

Resources A Location Scout Uses

What’s the first thing a location scout looks for when scouting locations? The story. Your story is what you are trying to convey with your video, and it will help guide the rest of your production.

Oftentimes the best way to find a location is to start with the story, then find a piece of land that fits it. Stories range from historical to contemporary, urban to rural, and romantic to whimsical.

You may have an idea of what you want or need for your video, but where can you find such a location? Public Parks/Recreation Areas/Beaches The cost of shooting in these areas ranges from free in public parks to $500 per day for commercial use fees at beaches and other recreation areas.

These facilities are getting busier by the day and may not be available during peak times. It is best to contact them well in advance of your shoot date as they may require a long lead time (30-90 days) due to overcrowding.

Private Property Hunting If you have an idea of what kind of property you want (or don’t want) just start driving around and ask people if they know someone who owns such property or if they happen to own it and are willing to let you use it.

What A Location Scout Must Consider

Location scouts need to have several skills. They must be able to spot great locations, negotiate with owners of those locations and take necessary steps to protect the property.

A location scout must also be familiar with labor laws and hire workers in the location he or she is scouting, including extras and crew members. Location scouts are responsible for finding places where movies can be filmed.

These places may be exterior locations, on-location sets, or interior locations. Regardless of what they are looking for, they will search everywhere from large cities to small towns.

To do this, they need to have a good feel for the region or area in which they are searching, so they can accurately identify what is available in terms of properties for filming. Scout duties vary widely.

Some scouts search for locations only, while others arrange all of the details involved in filming at a location. The latter group often works directly with the film’s director and production manager.

Scouts may scout their areas or work with other scouts across the country to find the best properties for filming. Although some scouts specialize in certain aspects of this job, most learn about each type of property as a way to gain experience and continue getting jobs within their field.

Book The Perfect Film Production Space

Looking for the best film production space? Well, it’s not as hard as you think! Film sets come in a variety of shapes and sizes. At the same time, getting the perfect set is only half of the battle.

The other half is finding a place to shoot. Finding that perfect location can be tough, but don’t worry! We’re here to help.

To get you started on your search for the perfect film set location, we’ve put together a list of qualities to look for when searching for your ideal space. Tailor-Made For Your ScriptWhen looking for the best film production space, look for a place that meshes with your script.

A product warehouse may be perfect for one movie and not another. Look at what you need from the location, and then find a location that matches those needs.

How Do You Become A Location Scout?

A location scout is a job unlike any other. You’re the person on a film set who makes sure that the location being used is correct and meets the needs of the director and the production team.

If you want to become a location scout, it’s possible to do so with just a high school diploma and a love for travel. Tasks A location scout will visit potential filming sites before the actual production begins to determine whether they can be used in the film.

A location scout will evaluate the site based on several factors including cost, available props and equipment, traffic flow, and whether or not the site is available during times that work for the production.

Once a site has been determined to be acceptable, the location scout will meet with members of the production team to discuss logistics and make sure that everyone is on board with using that specific area as a filming site. Location scouts are responsible for finding locations for still photography shoots as well as motion pictures, so it’s important that they have a good eye for detail and can tell if something looks fake or staged.

The Hierarchy Of Becoming A Location Scout

To become a Location Scout, you need to find an agent in the field of scouting. If you don’t have any contacts in scouting, doing research about agents and contacting them directly is your best bet.

After that, you will be able to work as a freelance scout or you may get hired by an agency. There are many different kinds of scouts; some scouts find just exterior locations while others find both exterior and interior locations.

You need to understand how to scout and how each type of scouting works before you can start working as a location scout yourself. Here are some steps to becoming a location scout:

Becoming A Film Production Location Scout

It’s not a glamorous job, but it’s necessary for bringing filming to your area. If you’re looking for a career in the film industry and know how to work well with people, consider becoming a location scout.

Description: To save time and money on a production, a location scout needs to find the perfect place for filming before the shoot takes place. This requires research, talent, and creativity.

Often, the location scout will do everything from finding the perfect street corner for an establishing shot to scouting out the ideal house for a period piece. The scout typically works with the director and producers to decide which locations are best suited for their vision of the film.

Location scouts can travel all over the world in search of just the right spot. Many have backgrounds in relevant fields such as architecture or real estate, but you don’t have to be an expert on any particular subject to become one.

What you need are passion and enthusiasm — scouts must love what they do or they won’t be able to convince others that their choice is perfect. While many location scouts are self-employed or work through agencies, some choose to take another path as well.

They become location managers instead of scouts by taking on things like scheduling talent and hiring crew members.

What Are Location Scouting Jobs?

If you’re a filmmaker, location scout, or photographer and you need to find great places to shoot your film, documentary, or photo project, then this article is for you. What are location scouting jobs? If you’re a location scout, director of photography (DP), or production designer and you need to find great places to shoot your film then this article is for you.

It seems like a simple question but it’s not. I’ll give you my working definition: Location Scouting Jobs: any job that takes more than a few hours that is done to find the right shooting locations.

So if you’re browsing our job board looking for jobs then please check the “Find Locations” box at least once in the search criteria. If your job requires you to do this for more than two hours per week, please check the box twice.

If after reading this article it turns out that what you’re doing is production design or art department work then let us know and we will remove the box from your search criteria. I used to think that most of these jobs were being done by people who spend all day every day on their feet going from one location to another.

In reality, it’s usually done by people on a laptop at home or in an office.

What Do Location Scouting Jobs Entail?

You can get a job as a location scout or be hired as a location manager on a project. A location scout works for a production company and scouts locations before the shoot date.

Once the scout has identified an appropriate location, he will inform the location manager or director of photography who will then arrange for a visit to the site. Location scouts find locations that are suited to specific types of filming.

They have their ears to the ground; they know what is available and what type of location is in demand at any given time. Scouts work closely with directors, producers, and production designers to make sure that the locations work well with the storyline and look good on camera.

Location scouts should have some artistic flair as well as an understanding of how lighting and composition work. The more experience you have as a scout, the more likely it is that you will be able to provide other services such as sourcing props, hiring extras, and liaising with local government officials.

Location scouts may work for several different companies so you must be flexible about travel arrangements. However, if you like variety in your job, this could be ideal for you.

Location Scout Enter The Film Industry

Location Scouts may be the most important people you’ve never heard of. Most filmmakers will spend anywhere from 3-6 months scouting for locations where they can shoot their films.

This is a task that most of us would probably dread, but Location Scouts enjoy their job because they get to travel around the world and help make films happen. Location Scouts are hired by Production Companies to work on movies, television shows, commercials, and music videos.

They are responsible for finding suitable locations to shoot in. The Location Scout has many responsibilities which include: Researching a location to determine what it looks like on different days throughout the year.

Finding a location that fits the tone of the script, director’s vision, and budget of the production. Contacting landlords, property owners, and business owners for access to their properties.

Putting together a shooting schedule for the production team and coordinating with local authorities regarding public street closures, parking permits, and special permits for filming in certain locations.

Visiting multiple locations on multiple days to ensure continuity across scenes shot in different locations and seasons. Make sure that any location used has all the proper legal releases or permissions from property owners and local authorities.

Location Scout Develop A Good Eye

Location scouting is an art form. Anyone can point a camera at an interesting building, but it takes a real eye to find that perfect shot.

A location scout must be able to recognize the potential of a location and then figure out how to capture it in pictures. It can be difficult, but with practice, you’ll get better and better at it.

There are many ways to improve your location scouting abilities, but one of the easiest ways is to just do it. Get out and shoot more photos.

The more photos you take, the better your eye will become at noticing good locations.

Another way to get better at scouting is through experience, as you’ll naturally begin to notice things that make certain locations more interesting than others. 

Every time you go on a location scout, look for things like lines or patterns (a row of trees or a series of mailboxes), contrast (a building with lots of windows versus one with few), and geometry (a tree that makes a triangle shape against the sky).

As you scout locations, keep in mind that size matters. A great small location for one photo might not work for another because its scale changes when it’s next to a different background. One photo may need a big background; another might need a small one.

Location Scout Become Culturally Aware

Location Scout is a mobile app and website that lets you search for the variety of local amenities, services, and activities that your community has to offer. As a technology startup, we are more than a location-based platform – we are a community-driven business that aims to enrich people’s daily lives by providing them with the tools they need to discover their city.

We want our users to feel more connected with their environment by providing them with relevant information about their surroundings. We want them to feel more empowered because they know what they can do in their city, and we want them to feel good about themselves as they discover new things in their city every day.

Our app and website have been available for iOS since February 2013, but we realized early on that the Android platform was growing rapidly, so we created an Android version of the app in October 2013. This made us realize the significance of Android development and how it would impact our business.

A few months after launching the Android version of our app, we started getting requests from users for an Android Wear version so they could run our app directly on their smartwatches. At that time, there weren’t any Location Scout apps available for smartwatches or any other wearable devices.

Location Scout Obtain Field-Related Education

The field of location scouting has the potential to be very lucrative. A location scout usually finds and secures locations for film and television projects, and they can make a lot of money doing so.

However, it takes more than just a keen eye to become a successful location scout. Location scouts need to obtain the proper education to become qualified and employed in their field.

They must know how to work well with people, have an eye for detail, and most importantly, have a knowledge of film production. Location scouts are unique in that they often have their boss.

They take orders from producers and directors, but they also report directly to them as well. Location scouts are hired because of their expertise in finding good locations for filming.

They will use their skills of observation to find the perfect place that fits what the director is looking for in terms of feel and cost. The key is finding the best deal while still maintaining quality.

Location scouts must also be able to work quickly and efficiently when searching for the right location to shoot at because they may only have a few hours before the sun goes down or night falls to find the right one.

Scouts must know how to use GPS systems, read maps and know how to get around so that they can better find locations.