What does it mean to prepare for a location photo or video shoot? One of the primary tasks is to scout your site. Included in this article is a printable checklist with some of the topics you might want to consider when you do.
Ideally, when you do a location scout as many of your team’s departments heads as possible will be there with you. Anyone who is responsible for making sure that the right crew and equipment are there for the shoot should see the location far enough in advance to take the measure of the place and ask any questions they may have. And if you are the one who is ultimately responsible for any or all of these aspects of the shoot then you need to take responsibility for them at the scout.
By the same token, when planning the scout, you should do everything you can to make sure that the people who can answer these questions will be there as well. Try your best to get your contact at the location to bring to your scout all responsible parties (security, engineering, electrician, house manager, anyone else).
Some items you will want to bring:
Measuring tape (or better yet, a laser measuring tool):
Measure any distance you might possibly need to know later. How large is the space? How far is it from that outlet on the second circuit to that spot where I want to put that fill light? Sometimes when we are in the location we are certain that we will remember everything later but memory, as we know, can be unreliable. Measure it and you will know for sure.
Camera:
- to remind you of what things actually look like
- to share pictures with others on the crew
- to test the focal length of the lens
- to measure available light for color temperature and exposure
Computer:
- to test connectivity
ALC Field Checklist:
- to ensure that you ask (and answer) all the important questions regarding the location of your production. Print it out and take it with you to your scout.
- Instructions for printing and folding the pocket size guide can be found here.
By the time you finish your scout you will practically have a road map for your entire shoot. Putting together your call sheet and your lighting plot should be almost effortless.
Even if you’re a one-man-band, it still behooves you to treat the job as if you’re leading an army. Doing a good scout means you’ll show up for the shoot having thought about how your production day is going to flow and having the tools at hand to do the job right. Good production IS pre-production!
