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It’s not easy to shoot a film production on location. Not only are you battling the elements, but you are also trying to control the logistics of the crew, transport and equipment.

There are several steps you can take to ensure a successful and organised film shoot. Below, we have broken down our location tips in stages to help you plan your next film production.

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Film Production Tips

1 Booking a Location

Before you plan your production, you will need to find and book your locations. Go through your script and make a list of what types of places you need to find. Depending on your schedule, you will likely want to find locations within travelling distance of another.

There are two main types of production locations, film studios and location shooting. Film studios come with amenities such as access to toilets and guaranteed power. In contrast, location shoots might not have such facilities, for example, if filming in warehouses.

Scouty has a database full of film production locations. You can search our database using keywords, see prices upfront and view locations on google maps. Unlike other location sites, you can also chat directly with hosts, ask questions and book online.

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2 Prepping the Location

When you have booked your locations, it’s time to prep them for filming. In film production, it is typical to carry out a location recce which allows you to see the site before filming and figure out the logistics of the shooting day. For example, do you have access to power, or do you need to hire a generator?

As well as artistic set design, such as props and backdrops, your location needs infrastructure for filming. For example, consider where your crew will park their cars, where make-up and costume take place, and whether you need a green room or catering area.

By planning the logistics before the shoot day, you allow your day to run smoother. The organisation during pre-production is key for successful location shooting. Depending on your shoot, you might also need to acquire permission and location permits.

3 Location Management

Depending on the scale of your film production, you might have a locations department. The location manager oversees the location department during filming. They are the first person on set and in charge of looking after the site throughout production.

Another notable team member is the location scout, who helps them find locations and assists the manager. For example, making sure the crew park correctly and keeping the location is tidy. They might also conduct a risk assessment before shooting.

If you have a small film crew, the producer will need to look after the location. Consider taking photos of how the set looked before filming in to ensure that you leave it in the same condition. In general, keep the location tidy and follow the rules given by the host.

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4 Creating a Base

On large film productions, you will need to create a base location. This base is where your crew and cast work and rest during filming. Elements of a base location are makeup department, costume department, green room and parking spaces. You will need enough parking space for all department vehicles, including camera, grip and lighting vans.

Your set might also need a catering area and a place for background artists to wait. In addition, you will need to consider the location’s power supply, toilet situation and if you need an on-site production office. It’s common for a producer to hire porta-loos, generators and caterers for location shooting, especially for large film sets.

5 Managing Crew

When film production takes place, your first step is to organise the crew’s arrival and parking spaces. You can find what time people from each department will arrive each day on the call sheet. Likely the actors, costume and makeup departments are first to arrive.

You will want the crew car parking organised, making sure everyone can get out and in when needed. Some departments, such as the camera and lighting team, might have larger trucks and need to be closer to the filming location.

Once again, if you only have a small crew, the film producer and production assistants take charge of transport. On large sets, the location manager, assistant location manager and location scouts will organise everyone and have control over the logistics.

Find and book filming locations

We can help you search hundreds of unique studio spaces. Have a search on our location database. We list prices and location facilities, so you know exactly what to expect from a location.

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6 Blocking the Scene

Before the filming begins, the director will work with the actors to rehearse. This rehearsal is also called blocking the scene. When the director and actors have their performance, all of the crew watch a final rehearsal before recording the scene.

This last rehearsal allows you to make any changes to the location before filming. For example, moving any furniture, set design changes and props. When the camera starts recording, it to too late to make any location changes because of the continuity.

7 Film Production

After the rehearsal, it’s time to shoot the scene. The camera department sets up the first shot, and the lighting team will position the lights. The makeup and costume department will complete last checks on the actors. On professional film sets, the 1st AD will call the roll.

The film production schedule often is split mid-day by a lunch break. During this break, the crew will have toilet breaks and catering. It’s important to ensure the location is kept consistent throughout. For example, ensure no water bottles are in the shot after break.

Every film production needs planning specific to its location. For example, when filming in cold weather, you might need to hire heaters and extra blankets for actors. With experience, you will be able to make better predictions on what each location needs.

Book photo & film locations

Scouty can help you find a location for your next shoot. We have hundreds of unique spaces bookable in minutes and without any booking fees.

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8 Wrapping Up

Lastly, during your film production, you must make sure you leave every location the same as you found it. This includes tidying rubbish, putting furniture back in place and a general clean up. If you break anything, you will need to pay for it to get repaired or replaced.

To help you re-set the location, take photographs before filming so you remember how the set looked. Your host will also take pictures to compare the site after the wrap. Some locations, such as houses, might need extra care from the crew during filming.

If you follow your host’s rules and organise your location shoot correctly, you will make the most of your time on set. Finally, It’s also a good idea to keep on friendly terms with your hosts and look after the location just in case you need to hire the site again.

Find and book filming locations

We can help you search hundreds of unique studio spaces. Have a search on our location database. We list prices and location facilities, so you know exactly what to expect from a location.

Explore locations

Header image: Photo by Gordon Cowie on Unsplash