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FILM LOCATIONS FILM LOCATIONS The Jobs and Duties of Locations Personnel in the Film Industry Created by: John Grace IATSE Member, Local 480 © 2013 Limited Rights Available Under Creative Commons Attribution License

Locations Department in Film

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The Locations department is responsible for finding and contracting for filming locations when the scene can't be shot in the studio. This PowerPoint was created to introduce film students to the personnel, duties and responsibilities of the locations department in the film industry.

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Page 1: Locations Department in Film

FILM LOCATIONSFILM LOCATIONSThe Jobs and Duties of Locations

Personnel in the Film Industry

Created by: John GraceIATSE Member, Local 480

© 2013 Limited Rights Available Under Creative Commons Attribution License

Page 2: Locations Department in Film

Locations RequirementsLocations Requirements• Suitability of a Location Takes into

Consideration Many Factors, Including: Overall Aesthetic (Appropriateness to Script) Financial Costs to Production Logistical Feasibility Including:

Distance to Production Office Distance to Other Locations

Availability of Parking (Room for Base Camp) Facilities to Keep Cast/Crew Safe and Dry

Page 3: Locations Department in Film

Locations RequirementsLocations Requirements• Suitability of a Location Takes into

Consideration Many Factors, Including: Available Light (indoors or outdoors) Potential Weather Conditions (outdoors) Permission from and Cooperation of:

Location Owner Neighbors Local Government Law Enforcement

Page 4: Locations Department in Film

4 Cardinal Rules of Locations4 Cardinal Rules of Locations1. Reduce Liability to Production Co.

As Intermediary, Make Every Effort to Protect the Location and the Cast/Crew

Hire Only Certified and/or Bonded Vendors File Detailed Insurance Certificates

2. Save the Production Company Time Find Locations that are Close to the

Production Office and Close to Each Other Find Locations with Plenty of Parking or

Locations that have Parking Nearby

Page 5: Locations Department in Film

4 Cardinal Rules of Locations4 Cardinal Rules of Locations3. Be Prepared for Last Minute Requests

Have Answers Ready – Time is Money Always Be Able to Contact Property Owner Always Try to Accommodate Production but

Know When to Say “Yes” and to Say “No”

4. Never “Burn” a Location Locations are Hard to Find and Easy to Lose Examples of Los Ranchos and Las Vegas

and Bad PA on “Men Who Stare at Goats”

Page 6: Locations Department in Film

Locations PersonnelLocations Personnel• Location Manager

Oversees the Locations Department Reports directly to UPM or AD Oversees Department Staff Negotiates Contracts with Property Owner Arranges with Locality for Permits Maintains Relations with Property Owner Keeps Location Costs Within Film’s Budget

Page 7: Locations Department in Film

Locations PersonnelLocations Personnel• Assistant Location Manager

Assists Loc. Mgr. on all His/Her Duties Coordinates Location Scouting Trips Oversees On-Set Operations Holds Permits While on Location Maintains Relations with Property Owner Assures that Location is Left Clean

(Clean is cleaner than when production arrived)

Page 8: Locations Department in Film

Locations PersonnelLocations Personnel• Location Scout

Researches and Visits Possible Locations Maintains a Database of Possible Locations Sometimes Becomes the Location Manager Makes Initial Inquiries re: Cost/Availability Takes Extensive Photos/Video of Possible

Locations that can be viewed by Director Identifies Possible Base Camp Locations

(if there is not sufficient parking on site)

Page 9: Locations Department in Film

Locations PersonnelLocations Personnel• Location Researcher - Coordinator

Usually only on Larger Productions Researches Possible Locations Online and in

Various Location Databases Makes Initial Inquiries with Location Owners

about Availability and Possible Costs Makes Arrangements for Location Scout to

Visit Locations

Page 10: Locations Department in Film

Locations PersonnelLocations Personnel• Location Assistant

Hired by Location Manager On Set Before, During and After Production Opens Location for Other Crew Members Maintains Relations with Neighbors Maintains Cleanliness of Location Throughout

the Production Process One to Three Location Assistants at all times

Page 11: Locations Department in Film

Locations PersonnelLocations Personnel• Location Production Assistant (PA)

Usually Only on Larger Budget Productions Not On Set but Represents Locations

Department During “Preps” and “Wraps”• Parking Coordinator (Base Camp Mgr)

Hired as Needed to Oversee the Parking of Trucks in the Base Camp and Crew Parking

Sometimes Oversees Wiring of base Camp• Parking Staff and Cleanup Personnel

Hired as Needed to Help with Base Camp

Page 12: Locations Department in Film

Variables Affecting LocationsVariables Affecting Locations

• Bad Weather Always Have a “Cover Set” Available Location Rental Agreement Should Include a

Clause Regarding “Weather Holds”• Lack of Parking for Base Camp

There Needs to be Enough Parking for Trucks and Production Crew within a Mile or Two

• Sound Considerations A Location Near an Airport is a Bad Choice

Page 13: Locations Department in Film

Tech Scouting ExpeditionTech Scouting Expedition

• Personnel Attending a Tech Scout Location Manager & First Assistant Director and 1st AD Director of Photography Essential Producers Department Heads

• Camera & Sound• Grip/Electric• Production Design

Page 14: Locations Department in Film

Basecamp LayoutBasecamp Layout

• How to Arrange the Basecamp: Camera, Props, Grip & Electric Trucks Need to

Be Where Stake Bed Trucks Have Easy Access Catering Trucks Need Easy Access for Deliveries

and Room for Tents Hair/Makeup Wardrobe Production Dressing Rooms Honey Wagon

Page 15: Locations Department in Film

Online Scouting Resources:Online Scouting Resources:• NMFilm.com

http://www.nmlocations.com/loc_results.aspx

• ColoradoFilm.org http://www.coloradofilm.org/production/location

• AZProduction.com http://www.azproduction.com/locations.php