The location of your video shoot can make or break your production. It can affect the mood, the lighting, the sound, the logistics, and the budget of your project. But how do you find and choose the perfect spot for your creative vision? Here are some tips to help you scout and select the best location for your next video shoot.
Before you start looking for locations, you need to know what your script requires. What kind of scenes do you have? What is the genre and tone of your video? What are the key elements and props that you need? How many characters and extras are involved? How long and complex are the shots? These questions will help you narrow down your options and identify the essential features of your ideal location.
Once you have a clear idea of what you need, you can start doing some online research. You can use platforms like Google Maps, Street View, YouTube, Instagram, or Airbnb to explore different areas and see what they look like. You can also search for local film commissions, location agencies, or location scouts that can offer you access to a variety of locations and services. You can also ask your network, your clients, or your friends for recommendations or referrals.
After you have a shortlist of potential locations, it's important to visit them in person. This will give you the opportunity to evaluate the space from a technical and artistic perspective. You should check the size, layout, and condition of the space, as well as the availability of power, water, and internet. Additionally, you need to assess the lighting and sound quality, accessibility and security of the location, permits, fees, and contracts involved. You should also consider the weather and time of day, as well as nearby facilities and amenities. Taking photos, videos, and notes of the location will help you compare them with your script and storyboard.
As someone who used to work in video production before VoiceOver, it also pre-dated the smartphone. How I would have longed to be able to take quick reference photos with an easy camera like the iPhone, and mark down specific exact locations using something like What3Words. Gamechanger.
Before you finalize your decision, you should do a test shoot at the location. This will help you confirm that the location works for your production and that you have all the equipment and resources you need. You should also involve your crew and cast in the test shoot and get their feedback and suggestions. You should also communicate with the location owner or manager and establish a good relationship with them.
We must always have a strong memory, use our best feeling when arriving at a place, turn on the senses to unite with the location, then all places can be maximized in your eyes and feelings
Finally, you should be flexible and creative when scouting and selecting your location. You may not find the perfect location that matches your vision exactly, but you can always adapt and improvise. You can use props, set dressing, lighting, sound, or editing to enhance or transform your location. You can also combine different locations or use green screen or other techniques to create the illusion of a different location. The most important thing is to have a clear goal and a plan for your video shoot.