In addition to databases, location managers also rely on location scouting services and fixers. These are agencies and teams that specialize in finding unique and suitable locations for different types of productions in specific areas.
Typically, the production department and the locations department discuss ideas as to what a filming location should or could be. Then, research begins to find and document the location using location scouts.
The director and production design team therefore initially get a conception of each possible location based on photographs, taken by, for example, the location scout. A software like Yamdu offers a way to upload them so that they can be shared with all relevant parties.
That is the purview of the Director. However, he or she could be overridden by the studio if the location would be outside of the film's budgetary limits. The Location Manager, the writer and director all determine where a particular portion of any movie will be filmed.
Experts say that while some houses are used repeatedly, there is a constant search for new places to film. Two groups active in these searches are location scouts, who work for the folks doing the filming, and location services agencies, which represent property owners who want to host shoots.
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How do films get locations?
In addition to databases, location managers also rely on location scouting services and fixers. These are agencies and teams that specialize in finding unique and suitable locations for different types of productions in specific areas.
Rates can range from $500 to $10,000 per day, depending on the location and uniqueness of your space, as well as how many scenes can be filmed there. According to Saeta, the average day rate for filming is around $5,000.
A location scout is a key player in the film and television industry. They are responsible for not only finding the desired filming setting (think Northern Ireland's landscapes in “Game of Thrones”) but also working out the logistics to secure the area for production.
If you're in film school, they can help guide you through this process. Your film commission might even have a special contact in charge of helping students find locations. And if you're not a student, contact some students and ask for their help, even if they're younger than you.
It might come as no surprise that the home of Hollywood is the setting for most movies, with 543 films shot in Los Angeles. These include the Back to the Future trilogy and the Fast and Furious franchise. London comes in at a close second place, with an impressive 529 movies being made in the UK's capital.
Apartment rentals are a great option for long-term shoots where actors won't be changing locations too frequently, such as filming a TV series in one general area. Apartment living is more spacious and homey than living out of a hotel, allowing actors to settle in and get comfortable while they're on location.
It is common for films or television series to be set in one place, but filmed in another, usually for reasons of economy or convenience, but sometimes because the substitute location looks more historically appropriate.
Taking the top spot, Central park has featured in films as far back as 1908! With silver screen classics like Breakfast at Tiffany's and more modern movies including The Avengers all shooting scenes in this iconic landscape, it's no surprise Central Park tops our list with 352 movies.
IMDb defines the country of a title as the place or places where the production companies for that title are based, and therefore where the financing originated. This means, for example, even if a title is shot on location in France, if its production companies are all based in the USA, we record the country as USA.
Most movies are made in the United States, particularly in Hollywood, California. However, there are also significant film industries in other countries such as India (Bollywood), China, and the United Kingdom.
Cost. A perk of filming on location is that it can be cost-effective as there will be minimal set design and construction overheads. However, this will also depend on where the production is being filmed because if the chosen location is in a remote area it could cause other hindrances to the project.
For most drama shots, actors should look close to the lens but never directly at it (this is called 'spiking'). Changes of gaze should be very subtle. Experienced film actors keep their gaze within a limited circle around the camera lens.
Location scouts and location managers work collaboratively throughout the location scouting and selection process. Location scouts provide options and information to location managers, who then make the final decisions based on various factors such as budget, logistics, and creative vision.
It's the job of location managers to find that place in the physical world and make sure it's accessible, safe and not too expensive to hire. Based on scripts and discussions with the director, production designers and other department heads, location managers start their research.
It's the basic things like, the time the location can be accessed, or are there loo's nearby for the cast and crew? What are the neighbours like? If your location is next to a building site or a busy road, you'll need to make sure the cast and crew are safe from all hazards.
A successful on-location video shoot starts early, with shooting location scouting and other planning that occurs during pre-production. Working out the logistics of the shoot in advance — factoring in travel times and setting aside extra days to compensate for possible weather delays — can set you up for success.
Contact your local film commission and ask if they have any lists of location scouts or location companies in your area. Location companies and scouts keep a database of homes available for filming. These location companies are contacted by film companies whenever a commercial, movie, or tv show needs a location.
The film industry is in flux, and ticket sales alone don't drive revenue. There's merchandising, VOD, streaming video, foreign sales, and a plethora of other distribution channels that can help filmmakers, producers, and studios turn a profit.
