Scouting movie locations is an important part of pre-production, and a great way for film directors to find good shooting locations for film. Locations create a distinct atmosphere and environment in a film. When doing a location scout, it's important to bring key crew members with you, such as the director of photography and the sound mixer, so they can help you make the final location decisions.
- Locations are a huge part of the…production value of your film,…and also go a long way in setting the mood of your film.…As we looked at in series three,…I think the location we got for The Assurance…was one of the best things to happen to the film.…So, during pre-production, you'll definitely want…to be a part of the scouting process for the locations.…A location scout is when you go to…potential shooting locations…and evaluate if there'll be a fit or not.…If possible, I recommend taking some…extra crew with you as well.…Your cinematographer and sound mixer can be helpful…as an extra set of eyes and ears about the…unique visual and auditory properties of the location.…
It might be exactly what you're looking for…in terms of geography, but maybe the sound mixer…notices some potential audio issues that…would've been disastrous to be unaware of until production.…Also, remember to not look for what is there,…but what you can make the audience believe is there.…The council scene actually takes place…in a covered picnic area, but we set up some C-stands,…
Author
Chad Perkins
Released
8/18/2016Watch and learn how to shoot a script, using visual motifs, atmospherics, framing, and different types of shots to tell the film's story. Find out how to give direction to your crew and be a good leader, while staying on budget and on schedule. Plus, get tips to improve shots during retakes or in post, and to become a better director, storyteller, and communicator.
Note: Like the rest of the Creating a Short Film series, this course was shot during the production of The Assurance. It offers a unique window into the actual struggles and challenges filmmakers have to overcome to get films made. Find the rest of the courses in the series on Chad's author page.
- What a director does
- Interpreting the script
- Scouting locations
- Choosing the tone and theme of the film
- Using motifs
- Shaping the story through visuals
- Being a good leader on set
- Respecting budgets and schedules
- Planning shots
- Moving the camera: on a tripod or dolly or in handheld shots
- Using rolling takes
- Framing shots
- Adding atmospherics
- Directing in post-production
- Becoming a better director
Skill Level Intermediate
Duration
Views
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Introduction
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What does a director do?1m 53s
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The Assurance7m 43s
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1. Preparing for Production
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Choosing your crew1m 37s
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Interpreting the script2m 4s
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Creating a visual style2m 36s
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Scouting locations1m 37s
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2. Themes and Tone
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Controlling the tone4m 39s
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Using themes1m 58s
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Using motifs2m 13s
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About the blur motif2m 18s
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3. Shaping the Story
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Killing darlings3m 59s
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Cutting to add clarity1m 54s
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Adding tension2m 19s
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Showing, not telling4m 35s
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4. Running the Set
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Being a good leader3m 29s
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Sticking to your vision3m 3s
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Throwing away your vision2m 57s
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Knowing when to reset2m 45s
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Wearing multiple hats1m 25s
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5. Planning Shots in a Scene
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Understanding the scene2m 45s
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Planning the shots4m 19s
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6. Getting the Shot
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Getting coverage4m 2s
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Cheating and stealing shots3m 20s
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Utilizing rolling takes4m 10s
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Breaking the "fourth wall"1m 45s
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Fixing it in post1m 43s
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7. Improving the Shot
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Improving takes4m 11s
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Using extras3m 38s
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Framing the shot5m 28s
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Adding atmospherics3m 8s
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8. Directing in Post-Production
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Directing the edit1m 36s
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Directing VFX shots1m 49s
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Directing audio choices2m 46s
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Conclusion
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Becoming a better director1m 31s
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Directing resources2m 52s
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Final thoughts1m 1s
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Video: Scouting locations