You have an AWESOME idea for a video, movie, commercial….you can see it in your head, …the colors, the angles, the story….you think, I have a camera, I just need to find the right location and a crew it will turn out GREAT!!!
Hate to be the bearer of bad news but that is just not going to work out for you without a little planning….ok, a LOT of planning. There are many elements to address in any size production, but today we are focusing on selecting a location and some issues you should consider.
Long before the folks with cameras arrive you must determine what challenges you may face on your projected location site. Here are a dirty dozen items to get you thinking like a pro….
- Is this the location publicly or privately owned?
- Do you require a permit for public land use?
- Do you require a waiver or a rental contract for private property?
- Is any special insurance required?
- What type of parking is there for crew and talent?
- What type of access for driving equipment into site?
- Is there security for the site?
- If outdoor, will weather become an issue during shoot?
- What are the lighting challenges for the location?
- Outdoor lighting: How many daylight hours needed? Light/ shadows change over the course of the day and the shoot schedule can be affected.
- Indoor lighting: Is there power? Where are the outlets located? What are the circuit ratings? Will it handle the power requirements of the equipment I will need?
- What are the audio challenges? Indoor: machine hums from air conditioners, refrigerators, facility lighting etc. Outdoor: planes overhead, street noise, ocean crashing, etc.
Stay tuned for more pre-production tips. We know there are some nightmare stories based on pre-planning oversights, so let’s bring it.
Written By Sheila Romero