So you’re making a film, and there’s no budget for location scouting and management. No problem — here’s how you handle it yourself.
You’ve got your script, your cast and crew is lined up, and all your gear is in order. But where are you going to shoot your film? Location scouting and management can be a daunting task, and it’s usually something that independent filmmakers don’t have budgets for.
For low- to no-budget filming, the director or producer will have to take on this responsibility themselves. So here’s what you need to know.
Keep It Close
You’re producing a low-budget feature. The script breakdown calls for twenty locations. Where do you start? According to location manager Aaron Holloway, LMGI, “When you look at a script, focus solely on the main locations; don’t get caught up on all the secondary locations. Find the most important location, then find all the other smaller bits within 10 to 15 miles of it.”
To save time and money during production, you want as many — if not all — of your locations to be within 10 to 15 miles. “If you have stuff all over the map, you’re not gonna make your days!” advises Holloway. Time management is critical on set, and if you have to take half the day for a company move to drive across the city when you could have just driven down the street you’ll set yourself up for failure. The closer together your locations are, the better.
Know Where NOT to Look
If you have a large crew and lots of actors, it honestly may be more difficult to secure certain locations, especially if you don’t have a budget to pay for permits and lockdowns. While location scouting, you may come across certain locations that would be perfect for the scene: the set dressing is spot on, and it matches the period of the film — it’s an ideal location! However, if you know that you can’t fit your crew inside the building, or if all the gear vans and crew parking would cause road blockage or dangerous fire hazards, you may have to move on and compromise with a different location.
Filmmaker Zach Ramelan talks about his experience with guerrilla location scouting in this video tutorial.
Take a Lot of Photos
When you do come across a location that just might work for your crew size, budget, etc., be sure to take a lot of photos! Take the highest resolution you can, get every angle. Capture the small details and don’t just shoot one way! Even if the camera is only going to face one direction take pictures of the reverse. Go outside and take pictures. Walk around the neighborhood, and snap some photos. Cover everything in, around, and nearby.
This gives your director and production designer (or yourself) ample coverage of the location to plan direction and set dressing — or where to stage equipment or set up hair, makeup, crafty, etc. Plus, areas outside the intended location may be suitable for another setting in the film, which could save the production time and knock out multiple scenes at once.