MASTERY FILMS – FILM PRODUCTION SERVICES
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: BUILDING THE FOUNDATION OF A SUCCESSFUL SHOOT
Choosing the right location for your shoot is often one of the earliest things you’ll want to consider before your production starts firing on all cylinders. Once you know where you’re shooting, then all your other logistical departments ie. transportation, accommodations, art & set dressing, etc., can take the next steps in their preparation processes for the film production.
With this you’ll need location scouting, references, sourcing, updated photos and videos of locations, as well as information on current cost and filming conditions from your local film production company.
Let’s take a look at our usual process for this film production service at Mastery Films:
01
SOURCING & LOGISTICAL ASSESSMENTS
Once we receive your initial ideas regarding the type of locations you’re looking for, we'll be able to provide you with some initial feasible options for your shoot.
Speaking of feasibility, this leads into the next important criteria when considering a location: the production logistics. To put it simply, a location cannot just merely look good, but it needs to be efficient. Factors such as surrounding costing, noise levels, public foot traffic, power availability, structural limitations, weather exposure, and any other conditions are also worth considering.
Adding on to this, there would be other factors that are directly related to the other departments that will be there once production starts because on occasion, you may come to find that while the location generally works for both the creatives and logistics, one of the logistical elements requires you to set up stations such as your basecamp, talent staging areas, catering spaces and amenities elsewhere because where you’re filming cannot house anything and everything all at once without things getting too congested.
All of these things may influence filming activities are all the things we can and will advise you on when presenting the locations.
02
SCOUNTING AND TECH RECCES
From looking at the preliminary location options, you now have your short list and location deck. It’s time to send the location manager out for some location scouting!
It’s important to remember the reason why location scouting must be done: to minimize any potential surprises you might come across if you were to confirm a location just from the pictures alone.
The reason for this is because certain things might have changed, both in terms of physical appearance and permissions-wise. So, it’s best to make sure that you’re brought up to speed knowing the exact condition the location and what permits and permissions you might need.
Once that’s all sorted where the logistics have been made clear, and you know exactly what you’re getting into, you can then move on to the final phase for locations before you sign on the dotted line - bringing out your director and all the other department heads for a tech recce. This is when all things come into play and the project’s creatives take the forefront and each person will be able to ensure things are working from an updated perspective while also being able to identify any technical requirements prior to filming.
03
AGREEMENTS, PERMITS & PERMISSIONS
As your full-service production company, all location agreements, location release forms and any other permissions and location permits needed for the film process to be arranged seamlessly for your production.
Whether it be municipality permits, national park permits or historical sites & landmark permits, Mastery Films has a broad amount of experience in obtaining these, and will be able to collaborate with you make sure your permits are issued in time, as planned for your production.
What it all comes down to is finding the location that has the right balance between being perfect for your creative vision while also retaining the logistical practicality. It may not be easy to find such a location on your own, but that is why Mastery Films is here to help.
If you have a specific country or city in mind for your next shoot, you can check out our other articles and pages below regarding shooting locations.
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