Finding the Right Filming Location for a Movie

There are several aspects that a film crew must keep in mind when it comes to where a movie will be filmed. The location should be ideal in all possible ways for the type of movie. The budget and scope of the film is the largest deciding factor determining the location. You most likely don’t even think about how much effort is put into this whole process, when you are watching your favorite movies. Read on for a glimpse into what considerations go into choosing the perfect location for filming movies.

Looking for the Prime Spots

The first step is to figure out what you need for each scene of the film. The director will have a vision in mind, and it is up to the film crew to scope out filming locations, whether they are private or right out in public. This is something that can take up to several weeks, depending on how complex the movie is and how many different places are necessary to film. In many cases, multiple individuals weigh in on the decision. The people who undertake this task are known as “location scouts”. A scout can advance in the field, and become a “Location Manager” after they have a certain amount of experience.

The following are just some of the things that are considered when choosing a location:

• Financial cost
• Weather conditions and natural lighting
• Overall aesthetic (how visually appealing is it?)
• Availability of electrical power, or how feasible it would be to bring generators on-site
• Availability of parking and facilities, in order to keep the crew, actors, and extras safe and dry
• The logical feasibility, including how close it is to the studio
• If it is possible to acquire permission from the local government, law enforcement, private owners, and neighbors to shoot at the location

Making a Final Decision

The Locations Department and Production team look over the potential options. For this step, it is important to have as many alternatives as possible, in case the preferred choice does not work out for some reason. There may be a great deal of back and forth between the two departments before the location is secured.

Gaining Permits

It is necessary to go through the appropriate channels for permission to utilize the space that is desired, whether that is private owners or the government. This is known as “clearing the location”, and may take several steps. Paperwork must be drawn up and completed before anyone from the film crew begins shooting any scenes, and fees may have to be paid at this time. This is the point when an entertainment lawyer would assist with handling all of the legal formalities, to ensure that there will be no trouble at a later time. Once the team is ready to go, any delays (especially legal) can be frustrating and quite costly.

In the case of a private residence or property, the scout or manager should have proper identification such as a business card and state I.D. on hand. The individual or family can be wary of a stranger coming to their door to ask about using their home or property for a film location. The professional should be courteous, friendly, and state his or her business right away. If the owner seems interested, the scout or manager can set up a formal meeting with representatives for the movie to discuss what would happen and any details to finalize the deal. It is important to have a location release and a shooting permit in this instance.

Scheduling

Filming a movie means long days and nights. Most of the time, nearly everyone is on location for at least 10–14 hours each day, for several days in a row. The pressure is on, and sometimes this can mean waiting around and conducting many takes for the optimal shot. The area may be blocked off, if it is a public space. Sometimes, it is filmed during a slow period at that location, like 5 AM or late in the evening. For private residences, everyone does their best to minimize noise and any other inconveniences for the owner(s) and neighbors. For any scenes that are filmed at locations outside of the studio, it is ideal to work as fast and efficiently as possible.

Using a Film Location Agency

Film location agencies do a lot of the leg work and scouting for you. Some friends of mine Hanif Surani and Salima Surani founded All Pictures Media in Los Angeles that does just this. They’ve also recently expanded Internationally to Dubai and Istanbul. Visit allpicturesmedia.com to browse their extensive list of film & photoshoot locations or contact them with any specifics and they’ll narrow your search down for you. They can even list your property if you’re interested in renting your property for filming.