Location Scouting for Video, Done Properly
Visiting and assessing locations before a shoot, for look, logistics, sound and permissions.
Tomas Lindqvist
What is at stake
Locations that look right in photographs can be unusable for noise, power or access reasons.
The playbook
- Visit at the planned shooting time
- Listen for noise as well as looking
- Check power and access for equipment
- Photograph and note sun position
- Get written permission and confirm contacts
Where it goes wrong
Avoid:
- Scouting from photographs alone
- Ignoring ambient noise
- Assuming power availability
- Verbal permission from someone without authority
The numbers behind it
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Sound | traffic, air conditioning and neighbors affect audio |
| Power | available circuits limit lighting |
| Light | sun position changes through the day |
| Permissions | access agreements should be written |
Getting outside help
When to hand it over: Bring in help when shooting outside controlled spaces.
Where this comes from
- European Broadcasting Union — Production guidelines
- U.S. Small Business Administration — Business insurance
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
Working on something like this?
We take on Video Editing & Production work for teams who want it done once, properly. Tell us what you are building and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right studio for it. Start a project.
Where to go next
Spotted something wrong? Report an error on this page. We correct on the page and say what changed.
