Shooting Location Management: How To Manage Your Film Shoot Locations

When you’re watching TV or a movie, and you see a shot of a busy street, or a small-town Main Street, and it looks real, that’s because it is. And that’s the job of the location manager.

Location managers scout out locations before production begins on films and television shows.

They need to know how many cameras can be set up in a space, if there are any special requirements such as power sources or Internet access, and whether there is parking for cast and crew.

Location managers also need to know what the typical weather will be at the shooting location on the day they film.
 

The location manager also has to determine how much equipment can fit into a space while still allowing room for actors and extras.

It is also important to decide if a scene needs to take place indoors or outdoors, during daylight or at night, on public streets, or in an office building.

Scouting locations can take days or weeks, depending on the type of project being filmed.

When a place has been chosen, the location manager has to get permission from property owners and business owners. The owner might have concerns about noise or security problems.

What Does It Mean When A Film Is Shot On Location?

What does it mean when a movie is shot on location? It means the film-makers take the cast and crew to a real place, not a studio set, to capture the footage. 

Location shooting is an essential component of cinema, but these days, it’s not as common as it once was.

Tastes have changed over the decades, and so has technology. Nowadays, directors can create fictional worlds on computers instead of in real locations. However, that doesn’t mean location shooting isn’t still used. When done well, location shoots give a film a unique look and feel that you can’t get any other way.

The Great Gatsby is one movie shot on location.

Gatsby is based on Ernest Hemingway’s classic novel of the same name. The jazz-age setting of 1920s New York required a lot of attention to detail, which is where location shooting came in.

Director Baz Luhrmann took the entire cast and crew to Australia to capture all the shots he needed for his adaptation. 

The result was a visually stunning period piece that audiences were able to immerse themselves in because of how much thought went into everything from set design to costume selection.

What Is The Process For Choosing A Film Location?

Filming a movie can be quite complicated, especially when there are many factors to be considered. For example, the location of the filming will affect the film expenses and the filming schedule.

The availability of the film cast and crew will also be greatly affected by the chosen location. However, one has to consider that it is not only about choosing an ideal location for filming, but also about making sure that this place possesses all the essential elements to make it a great setting for your story.

The next step is deciding what you want to achieve with your film – is it a drama that needs an urban landscape or a romantic comedy that requires a beautiful countryside?

The most important part in choosing the right film location is getting to know everything about its pros and cons. You should ask yourself whether or not the place you have chosen fits in with what you expect from your movie – does it have everything you need?

 Is it comfortable for your cast and crew? Does it offer a wide range of locations? Does it possess all the necessary buildings and equipment? What is more important – its beauty or comfort during filming? And so on…

Once you have gathered enough information about various locations, you can start narrowing down your choices and selecting only those places which are really worth considering.

Location Assessments In Filmmaking?

So you’ve got your film idea and the storyboard is looking good. Now it’s time to start scouting locations.

Location scouting can be a tricky job, especially if you’re on a tight budget or filming in an area that has a lot of restrictions. Here are a few tips that will help you find the best locations for your film shoot.

What Should I Look For When Location Scouting?

If you’re trying to save money, look for places that are free or cheap to film in because they won’t cost as much to rent out. 

Think outside the box and see if anything interesting can be done with natural lighting or if there are any interior features you might want to use in your film.

 It’s always better to find a location that doesn’t need much work, so keep your eyes peeled for any architectural characteristics that might make your movie trailer stand out from the rest.

In addition to looking for free or cheap places, you should also check out local businesses and private residences that have interesting locations.

If you have permission to film there, this can save you valuable time because these places already have a lot of the equipment that you need built in, such as lights and power outlets.

What Does A Location Manager Do In Filmmaking?

A good location manager also has to be creative. They have to think about what shots their director wants and then find locations that fit their vision. Sometimes this means talking to business owners to get permission to film on their property.

If it’s necessary to shut down a street for filming, location managers coordinate with local officials.

Most of the time, however, locations are found by scouting areas around the city using websites like Yelp and Google Maps.

Location scouts are usually responsible for finding places for exterior shots. Interior locations are more likely to be arranged by a production designer who works closely with director and cinematographer.

In the United States, location managers are required to be certified by the International Location Managers Guild (ILMG) in order to work officially on film productions. Film location managers in other countries are usually certified by their national guilds.

How Do I Become A Location Manager?

Locations managers need to have a great deal of experience in a specific industry, as well as excellent communication skills and an eye for detail. 

The ability to work well with others is also important. As you would imagine, those who want to become locations managers typically already have some experience in their desired field, usually as a production assistant.

   

They will have managed the logistics of other productions, and they are familiar with working on location.

The next step is to obtain an entertainment business management degree from an accredited university. This will provide you with the necessary theoretical background and give you a solid foundation on which to build your career.

After obtaining this degree, you can begin working at a film location company or another related organization in order to gain practical experience.

This provides you with the opportunity to put into practice everything that you’ve learned so far and begin climbing the ladder toward your ultimate goal of becoming a location manager.

Key Responsibilities Of A Location Manager During Film Pre-Production

A location manager must be a proactive advocate for the film’s production budget. 

When scouting new locations to rent, they must be mindful of how much the rental will cost, while still taking into account the overall budget and how much money is left over for set construction costs.

They must be adept at creating detailed lists and spreadsheets that compile the costs associated with each location. These documents will be used by producers to determine which locations are feasible for filming.

Location managers should be familiar with nearby hotels and motels in case cast or crew members need accommodations while in town scouting or filming at a location.

Location managers should also have experience working in local government offices and businesses to help ensure that permits are acquired quickly and easily during filming. 

Location managers must also be skilled in communicating with local residents about their concerns regarding noise or other disturbances resulting from filming activity.

Additionally, they put together contingency plans in case unexpected problems arise.

Application Process:

In most cases, location managers work for film production companies on contract basis only. Some companies advertise for temporary jobs during filming season, but there is no one standard way to get hired.

Salary & Benefits: How Much Does A Film Location Manager Make?

Location Managers are responsible for choosing and securing the right location for film production crews. They work directly under the Director, and their role is essential to the success of a film or  TV project.

Most people outside of the film industry have no idea how much these professionals get paid, so let’s take a look at how much salary & benefits a film location manager makes.

Location Managers make between $30,000 – 90,000 per year on average.

This salary range may vary depending on their experience and credentials. 

Entry level salary and benefits for a Film Location Manager start around $30,000-40,000 per year. 

A mid-level Film Location Manager with 3-5 years of experience can make about $50,000-70,000 per year. An experienced Senior Film Location Manager can earn in upwards of $80,000-90,000 per year.