The Recce

Recce is short for Reconnoitre It is a military term, which means to spy out the enemies position and strength.

In Film and Photography to carry out a recce is to check that the situation on location is appropriate for a full shoot. Reference pictures are taken which are then presented to the art director who either rejects or approves them before giving the go-ahead for the commission.

When carrying out a recce you will have a brief and a visual to help you

For this exercise you will have 4 visuals to work from:

You will go out today and return with reference pictures by 3pm

The door does not have to match the visual exactly, but it must be oldand have a sense of dread about it – scary looking. The image will be usedas a cut out.

Note that this is a wooden bench, and that it is a close up.The arm of the bench is at a precise angle and position within theimage area to accommodate the text, so the recce shots should show that this is possible.

This is obviously a long lens shot. The stack is long and has fourpots on it. This is the ideal shot, but get as close as you can.If there is any roof clutter such as aerials, make sure that they are easy to retouch out.

This tree has leaves (could be blossom) on it, and shouldbe easy to isolate against the sky without retouching.

Coming back from a recce with just one shot of each is notacceptable. Always present alternatives.

Keep the door open!

THE BRIEF IS…