Location Scouting: Choosing the Perfect Settings for Your TV Production

Location scouting is a crucial aspect of TV and film production, as it involves finding real places to serve as the fictional locations described in a screenplay. The right location supports the narrative and helps to create a believable world.

A location scout’s primary job is to find settings best suited for a particular scene or production by breaking down the script and consulting with the production manager, director, and/or writer to ensure the locations fulfill their vision for the project. When scouting for locations, it’s essential to consider factors such as the script, budget, aesthetic appeal, accessibility, safety, lighting conditions, noise levels, permits and permissions, availability for shooting dates, and cost.

By following a step-by-step process, filmmakers can ensure they find the perfect locations to bring their creative vision to life.

Factors to consider when scouting locations for TV production

When scouting locations for TV production, several factors should be considered to ensure the suitability of the chosen settings. These factors include:

1. Script and Creative Vision: The locations should align with the script and the creative vision of the production. It’s essential to consider the genre, tone, and themes of the TV show to ensure the locations convey the intended message.

 

2. Budget and Schedule: Establishing a clear budget for location scouting is vital. It’s important to prioritize locations that align with the creative vision while staying within budget. The constraints of the project’s budget and shooting schedule heavily influence the feasibility of potential locations.

 

3. Aesthetic Appeal and Safety: The locations should have the desired visual appeal and should be safe for the cast and crew. Factors such as lighting conditions, noise levels, and overall aesthetic quality are crucial considerations.

 

4. Accessibility and Permissions: The accessibility of the locations for the cast, crew, and equipment is an important factor. Additionally, obtaining the necessary permits and permissions for filming at the chosen locations is essential.

 

5. Availability and Cost: The availability of the locations for the required shooting dates and the overall cost, including any location fees, should be carefully evaluated.

 

By considering these factors, the production team can ensure that the chosen locations are well-suited for the TV production, align with the creative vision, and are feasible within the allocated budget and schedule.

How to determine the suitability of a location for TV production

To determine the suitability of a location for TV production, several factors should be evaluated. These factors include:

1. Purpose and Style: The location should match the genre, theme, and atmosphere of the production. For example, a horror film may require a dark and isolated setting, while a comedy may need a bright and lively location.

 

2. Practicality and Accessibility: Consider the practicality and accessibility of the location, including how easy it is to get there, the space and equipment needed, and any logistical challenges such as remote access and availability of power.

 

3. Aesthetic Appeal and Safety: Evaluate the visual appeal, lighting conditions, noise levels, and the safety and security of the location. It’s important to ensure that the location aligns with the creative vision and is safe for the cast and crew.

 

4. Permissions and Cost: Obtain the necessary permits and permissions for the location and consider the overall cost, including any location fees. It’s essential to prioritize locations that align with the creative vision while staying within budget.

 

By carefully considering these factors, the production team can effectively evaluate the suitability of potential locations for TV production, ensuring that they align with the creative vision, are feasible within the allocated budget, and contribute to the overall quality of the production.

Common mistakes to avoid when scouting locations for TV production

When scouting locations for TV production, it’s important to avoid common mistakes that can impact the quality and efficiency of the production. Some of these mistakes include:

1. Insufficient Research: Failing to conduct thorough research on the locations being considered. This includes understanding the history, culture, geography, climate, and architecture of the place, and how it relates to the story, characters, and themes of the film.

 

2. Ignoring Noise Levels: Overlooking potential noise issues at a location, such as being in the flight path of an airport or near a noisy highway. It’s essential to consider potential noise disturbances that could affect the quality of the audio in the production.

 

3. Lack of Budget and Schedule Consideration: Not adequately considering the budget and schedule of the production. Location scouting can be costly and time-consuming, so it’s important to align potential locations with the available resources and shooting timeline.

 

4. Inadequate Permissions and Documentation: Failing to obtain the necessary permits and permissions for the chosen locations. It’s crucial to ensure that all legal and logistical requirements are met to avoid issues during the production.

By being mindful of these common mistakes, the location scouting process can be more effective, leading to the selection of suitable and practical locations for TV production.

How to research a location before scouting it for TV production

Before scouting a location for TV production, it’s essential to conduct thorough research to ensure the suitability of the potential settings. Here are the steps to research a location before scouting:

1. Define Your Vision: Have a clear vision of your TV production, including the genre, tone, and themes you want to convey. This will serve as a foundation for your location scouting process.

 

2. Determine Your Budget: Establish a budget for location scouting, considering expenses such as travel costs, permits, and location fees. Prioritize locations that align with your vision while staying within budget.

 

3. Research and Brainstorm: Watch films, TV shows, or commercials with a similar look and feel to your project. Make note of the locations used and any details that stand out. Additionally, brainstorm with your team and seek their input on possible locations.

 

4. Create a Location Checklist: Develop a checklist of essential criteria for your locations, including factors such as aesthetic appeal, accessibility, safety, and lighting conditions.

 

5. Document Everything: Keep detailed records of your location research, including photos, notes, and any relevant details about the potential locations. This documentation will be valuable when making decisions about which locations to scout in person.

 

By following these steps, you can conduct comprehensive research to identify potential locations that align with your creative vision and production requirements.

Online resources for researching a location for TV production

When researching locations for TV production, several online resources can be valuable for finding and evaluating potential settings. Some of these resources include:

1. Location-Specific Platforms: Online platforms such as Location Hub, Peerspace, and Wrapal allow users to browse and book locations that match their criteria. These platforms can provide a wide range of options for different types of productions.

 

2. Google Maps, Street View, and Google Earth: These tools can be used to explore different areas, understand the geography, assess traffic and landmarks, and plan routes and schedules. They provide a convenient way to virtually visit and assess potential locations.

 

3. Social Media, Blogs, and Forums: These platforms can be sources of photos, videos, reviews, and recommendations of potential locations from other filmmakers and locals. They can offer valuable insights and perspectives on various settings.

 

4. Online Articles and Guides: Websites such as StudioBinder and Wrapbook offer articles and guides on location scouting, providing essential tips and resources for researching and evaluating potential locations.

 

By utilizing these online resources, location scouts and production teams can effectively research and identify suitable locations for TV production, ultimately contributing to the success of the project.

Helpful blogs for researching a location for TV production

When researching locations for TV production, several online resources can be valuable for finding and evaluating potential settings. Some of these resources include:

1. Wrapbook: The Wrapbook blog provides a comprehensive guide to location scouting for film and television, including the importance of considering each location from multiple angles and the influence of a project’s budget and shooting schedule on the feasibility of potential locations.

 

2. Evercast Blog: The Evercast Blog offers 10 tips for finding the perfect location for a TV production, emphasizing the importance of using the script as a guideline, accounting for weather and seasons, and taking detailed notes during location scouts.

 

3. StudioBinder: StudioBinder’s blog presents 11 essential location scouting tips, covering the importance of location scouting in video production, the impact of the filming region on the scouting process, and the need to consider permits, fees, and logistics when finalizing locations for a shoot.

 

4. The Michael Group: The Michael Group’s article highlights the importance of location scouting in finding the perfect spot for a production, emphasizing the need for location scouts to stick to the script and understand the motives behind various scenes to choose settings that emphasize the story’s setting.

 

5. Yamdu: Yamdu’s blog provides a guide to successful location scouting, offering insights into factors to consider, such as cost, proximity, and suitability, and the technical, logistical, and artistic preparation of filming locations for shooting.

 

By utilizing these online resources, location scouts and production teams can effectively research and identify suitable locations for TV production, ultimately contributing to the success of the project.

How to prepare for a location scout

To prepare for a location scout for a TV production, consider the following tips:

1. Use the Script as a Guideline: Carefully review the script to understand the specific requirements for each scene you plan to shoot. This will help you have a clear picture of the kind of location you’ll need for each scene.

 

2. Account for Weather and Seasons: Factor in the weather and seasons when scouting locations. Take detailed notes about the location and its features, as you may only have one visit to the site before the day of the shoot.

 

3. Time Your Visit Properly: Ideally, scout the location at the time you will be shooting, and take photos. Let the production team know what the ideal shooting times would be.

 

4. Take Notes and Photos: During the scout, take detailed notes and capture photos and videos of the locations. This will help in the decision-making process and serve as a reference when discussing the options with the production team.

 

5. Factor in Cost, Proximity, and Suitability: Prepare the locations technically, logistically, and artistically for shooting. Consider the cost, proximity, and suitability of the locations to ensure they meet the demands of the script.

 

By following these steps, you can effectively prepare for a location scout, ultimately contributing to the success of the TV production.

Tips for scouting locations that are outdoors

When scouting outdoor locations for a TV production, consider the following tips:

1. Capture Quick Shots and Take Detailed Notes: Use a digital camera or smartphone to take quick shots at each potential location and maintain a notebook listing each spot visited. This will help you remember what worked and share ideas with others back at the office.

 

2. Listen Carefully and Evaluate Logistics: Stand still at the location and listen for ambient and artificial noise. Additionally, evaluate the load-in and load-out logistics to ensure a smooth and successful shoot.

 

3. Document Natural Lighting: Take photos to document how various areas are naturally lit while scouting. This will help in predicting how the light will change and in creating a schedule of shots.

 

4. Factor in Cost, Proximity, and Suitability: Prepare the locations technically, logistically, and artistically for shooting. Consider the cost, proximity, and suitability of the locations to ensure they meet the demands of the script.

 

5. Scout at the Right Time and Follow the Sun: Be aware that outdoor lighting conditions can change. It’s wise to check the spot on the day of the week and the time of day that you’ll be shooting. Additionally, consider the changes in exterior illumination throughout the day.

 

By following these tips, you can effectively scout outdoor locations for a TV production, ultimately contributing to the success of the project.

More Tips for scouting locations that are indoors

When scouting indoor locations for a TV production, consider the following tips:

1. Understand the Script: Carefully review the script to understand the specific requirements for each scene you plan to shoot. This will help you have a clear picture of the kind of location you’ll need for each scene.

 

2. Check for Power Sources and Wattage Limits: Assess the availability of power sources and any wattage limits at the indoor locations. This is essential to ensure that the locations can support the technical needs of the production, such as lighting and equipment.

 

3. Take Detailed Notes and Photos: During the scout, take detailed notes and capture photos and videos of the indoor locations. This will help in the decision-making process and serve as a reference when discussing the options with the production team.

 

4. Factor in Cost, Proximity, and Suitability: Prepare the indoor locations technically, logistically, and artistically for shooting. Consider the cost, proximity, and suitability of the locations to ensure they meet the demands of the script.

 

5. Scout at the Right Time: Be aware that indoor lighting conditions can change based on the time of day. If possible, scout the locations at the same time of day you plan to shoot to understand how the light will interact with the space.

 

By following these tips, you can effectively scout indoor locations for a TV production, ultimately contributing to the success of the project.

Working with C&I Studios for location scouting

Hiring C&I Studios, a TV and film production company, for location scouting is beneficial for several reasons:

1. Expertise and Experience: C&I Studios have experienced professionals who understand the intricacies of location scouting. Their expertise can help in finding the most suitable and visually appealing locations for a production.

 

2. Understanding of Script Requirements: C&I Studios have a clear understanding of the script and the specific requirements for each scene. This enables them to identify locations that align with the creative vision of the production.

 

3. Budget and Schedule Consideration: C&I Studios are adept at considering the constraints of a project’s budget and shooting schedule. They can effectively balance the creative needs of the project with its financial and logistical limitations.

 

4. Negotiation and Legal Access: Location scouts within C&I Studios are skilled in negotiating legal access to filming locations. This is a crucial aspect of the process, and their expertise can streamline this aspect of the production.

 

5. Comprehensive Approach: C&I Studios provide a comprehensive approach to location scouting, considering factors such as overall aesthetic, financial cost, logistic feasibility, and availability of essential facilities and resources.

Hiring C&I Studios for location scouting ensures that the process is approached with expertise, aligns with the script requirements, considers budget and schedule limitations, and effectively navigates the legal and logistical aspects of securing filming locations.

Contact C&I Studios to get started today.