I have a question about doing a location shoot

Plot Device · Dec 19, 2007

I'm planning to buy some books about location shooting. I wanted to know if anyone here could recommend any books they might have--or even videos/DVD's that explain the logistics of location shooting.

And I also wanted to know the job title for the person who sets up the encampment for a location shoot. The person who maps out the poisitoning of all the trailers (sleeping trailers as well as working trailers like make-up trailers and costume/prop trailers, etc) and the electrical junctures, the car pool etc. Is that person called the Set Coordinator? Or the Location Coordinator? Or something else maybe?

Thanks

Zelenka · Dec 19, 2007

Ours is referred to as the OB Production Manager, but that's for factual TV broadcasting. Not sure about film.

NikeeGoddess · Dec 19, 2007

And I also wanted to know the job title for the person who sets up the encampment for a location shoot. The person who maps out the poisitoning of all the trailers (sleeping trailers as well as working trailers like make-up trailers and costume/prop trailers, etc) and the electrical junctures, the car pool etc. Is that person called the Set Coordinator? Or the Location Coordinator? Or something else maybe

?

this all depends on the size and budget of the production. the smaller the production the more likely it is that one person could do all of these things. but as the budget grows then so does the crew. the jobs you have listed could be: location scout, location manager, production manager, production assistants, grips, drivers, etc.... you could probably find a site online that lists all of the jobs and their duties.

another factor is if you employ union workers or not. union workers have strict guidelines with their job responsibilities and usually do not stray from the union rules.

Plot Device · Dec 21, 2007

No books?

clockwork · Dec 21, 2007

I only have one book about directing which is Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics although it doesn't really go into any great detail about the practicalities of finding and shooting locations. I think because each location shoot is so wildly different, it's hard to standardise a set of working principles outside of union regulations. What works for a crowd scene in a desert will not work for an intimate two-person setup on a boat.

I'm sure there must be books that go into more detail about this kind of thing but you may have to search under the wider umbrella of 'production' to find individual chapters on best practices for location shooting. Sorry I can't be more help.

Plot Device · Dec 21, 2007

clock_work9 said:
I only have one book about directing which is Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics although it doesn't really go into any great detail about the practicalities of finding and shooting locations. I think because each location shoot is so wildly different, it's hard to standardise a set of working principles outside of union regulations. What works for a crowd scene in a desert will not work for an intimate two-person setup on a boat.

I'm sure there must be books that go into more detail about this kind of thing but you may have to search under the wider umbrella of 'production' to find individual chapters on best practices for location shooting. Sorry I can't be more help.

Actually, Chris, that's very helpful.

I have a vague sense of what is needed logistically on a location shoot, but I figured surely there must be a BASIC list somewhere of the absolute nitty gritty. I also figured surely someone had written a book about it like "My Life as a Studio Location Coordinator," or something like that. Even a blog by a location coordinator would be cool. But I guess there isn't any such animal at this time. I'd try to do a Google search for it, but I still don't have a "name" or a "title" for this person's job whereby I could do such a search (I'm just guessing that it's called a Location Coordinator but I might be completely wrong about that one). JessRamage very kindly told me what they call such a person in Britain, but no one's confirmed that the same title is used here in America. (And he said an " OB Production Manager" but he never said what "OB" even stands for and I feel too silly to ask.)

I'm kind of intrigued by those Smoking Gun pages with the actual specification sheets that itemize celebrity demands for whenever celebrities travel. Such as I think I recall Britney Spears demands that her dressing room always have stuff like two genuine leather sofas, a bottomless bowl of Skittles, three dozen chilled 12-oz bottles of Poland Spring Water. And her hotel room must have all cotton, 400 thread-count bed sheets on the beds.

I wanted to know about the logistics of:

--securing an encampment ground,
--renting all the trailers,
--setting up all the trailers,
--segregating the habitation trailers of the A-list actors from the rest of the crew,
--the level of security in place for the A-listers, (and security for the whole encampment for that matter),
--alloting cars to cast and crew (and who even gets a car vs. who doesn't),
--the Craft Services tent and ALL the secondary and supporting tents/trailers that might be needed by those guys,
--a medical/first aid trailer with a nurse or even a doctor on duty,
--whether they might need to set up actual electrical generators to supply power for the entire encampment,
--water supply
--how they handle blue water, grey water, and trash removal,
--concerns about heating and air conditioning,
--housekeeping for the habitation trailers and also for the working trailers,
--environmental issues,

and so many other things I'm surely missing.

Has NO ONE written a book about all of this? How about the entire 12-month-plus location shoot for The Lord of the Rings? How about the Tim Burton remake of The Planet of the Apes? Who coordinated all of THAT? And what did it all entail?

zagoraz · Dec 21, 2007

Though it doesn't deal specifically with just locations, I think you'll find the book Film & Video Budgets (boring title, informative book) by Deke Simon helpful. It contains a breakdown of every person's role on a film set in detail. There are also three examples of real budgets ($50,000, $200,000 and $2 million) that break everything down by Above The Line and Below The Line costs. Not witty or enthralling by any means, but infinitely helpful. I own it. Here's a link to it on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1932907106/?tag=absolutewritedm-20

Zelenka · Dec 21, 2007

Plot Device said:
JessRamage very kindly told me what they call such a person in Britain, but no one's confirmed that the same title is used here in America. (And he said an " OB Production Manager" but he never said what "OB" even stands for and I feel too silly to ask.)

Sorry

OB stands for Outside Broadcast. (And she's a she

)

For Lord of the Rings, there is a book called 'The Making of the Trilogy' by Brian Sibley that goes into some detail on the filming etc. Most big blockbusters have companion books now that give some details on the actual production. At the very least, they'll give you the credits, I would think, which might give you an idea where to start.

Plot Device · Dec 21, 2007

JessRamage said:
Sorry OB stands for Outside Broadcast. (And she's a she )

For Lord of the Rings, there is a book called 'The Making of the Trilogy' by Brian Sibley that goes into some detail on the filming etc. Most big blockbusters have companion books now that give some details on the actual production. At the very least, they'll give you the credits, I would think, which might give you an idea where to start.

Thanks, Jess!

You go, girl!

Plot Device · Dec 21, 2007

zagoraz said:
Though it doesn't deal specifically with just locations, I think you'll find the book Film & Video Budgets (boring title, informative book) by Deke Simon helpful. It contains a breakdown of every person's role on a film set in detail. There are also three examples of real budgets ($50,000, $200,000 and $2 million) that break everything down by Above The Line and Below The Line costs. Not witty or enthralling by any means, but infinitely helpful. I own it. Here's a link to it on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1932907106/?tag=absolutewritedm-20

OMG! I love you! :e2cheer:

Consider me enthralled!

clockwork · Dec 21, 2007

Plot Device said:
I wanted to know about the logistics of:

--securing an encampment ground,
--renting all the trailers,
--setting up all the trailers,
--segregating the habitation trailers of the A-list actors from the rest of the crew,
--the level of security in place for the A-listers, (and security for the whole encampment for that matter),
--alloting cars to cast and crew (and who even gets a car vs. who doesn't),
--the Craft Services tent and ALL the secondary and supporting tents/trailers that might be needed by those guys,
--a medical/first aid trailer with a nurse or even a doctor on duty,
--whether they might need to set up actual electrical generators to supply power for the entire encampment,
--water supply
--how they handle blue water, grey water, and trash removal,
--concerns about heating and air conditioning,
--housekeeping for the habitation trailers and also for the working trailers,
--environmental issues,

and so many other things I'm surely missing.

Has NO ONE written a book about all of this? How about the entire 12-month-plus location shoot for The Lord of the Rings? How about the Tim Burton remake of The Planet of the Apes? Who coordinated all of THAT? And what did it all entail?

I think even just one of the above would require a village of people and so the narrowing down of any one particular job title becomes difficult. I've never worked in any of those fields but I can imagine asking someone about the best way to learn about it would illicit the response, "find wherever they do it and get close to it," meaning volunteer, intern or perhaps you could simply find someone who's done this before and bend their ear.

I can imagine this kind of below-the-line logistics and coordinating is similar to the same kind of logistics and coordinating problems faced by people working for Delta Airlines or Microsoft. Maybe these people don't imagine their jobs to be book-worthy because as I said before, it'll be a different job every time but also because the best way to learn is probably just to do it.

I dunno. My two cents.

Plot Device · Dec 21, 2007

clock_work9 said:
I think even just one of the above would require a village of people and so the narrowing down of any one particular job title becomes difficult. I've never worked in any of those fields but I can imagine asking someone about the best way to learn about it would illicit the response, "find wherever they do it and get close to it," meaning volunteer, intern or perhaps you could simply find someone who's done this before and bend their ear.

I can imagine this kind of below-the-line logistics and coordinating is similar to the same kind of logistics and coordinating problems faced by people working for Delta Airlines or Microsoft. Maybe these people don't imagine their jobs to be book-worthy because as I said before, it'll be a different job every time but also because the best way to learn is probably just to do it.

I dunno. My two cents.

I tried to volunteer for a shoot in my area (New England) this past summer, but I never heard back on the e-mail I sent.

Beyond that, not too much filming in my area.

Beyond doing it, reading about it is my second choice.

clockwork · Dec 21, 2007

Well, good luck with your reading. I'll see if there's anything else I can dig up.

Plot Device · Dec 21, 2007

clock_work9 said:
Well, good luck with your reading. I'll see if there's anything else I can dig up.

LIVIN · Dec 22, 2007

Have you tried perusing this site:

http://locationmanagers.org/cms/

Also, may I ask why you're so interested in so much info on the subject?

Plot Device · Dec 22, 2007

LIVIN said:
Have you tried perusing this site:

http://locationmanagers.org/cms/

Also, may I ask why you're so interested in so much info on the subject?

Awesome!

So the correct title is "Location Manager." I'd heard of "location scouts," but not "location managers." I assumed scouts just sniffed out locations, took photos, and then made suggestions on different places to do the shoot. But beyond a location scout, a full-blown location manager seems to run the whole show once they get there. This is great!

And I just want to learn about it is all. I seriously want to know the whole she-bang of a location shoot.

LIVIN · Dec 22, 2007

It's like someone else said...

Only really small, independent films, you can have one person producing and doing everything location wise, and even possibly directing... and other crazy stuff.

On big stuff you can have hoards of people doing just location stuff.

Plot Device · Dec 22, 2007

LIVIN said:
Only really small, independent films, you can have one person producing and doing everything location wise, and even possibly directing... and other crazy stuff.

On big stuff you can have hoards of people doing just location stuff.

But the point is I WANT TO LEARN ABOUT IT! Telling me in one sentence that "hoards of people just do it" isn't learning.

PerditaDrury · Dec 22, 2007

Plot Device said:
But the point is I WANT TO LEARN ABOUT IT! Telling me in one sentence that "hoards of people just do it" isn't learning.

If you want books about production, take a look at the required textbooks at the top Cinema graduate schools.

But if you REALLY want to learn about it -- just go and do it. Volunteer, become an intern, whatever it takes. That's how you learn. When they ask what you can do, say you are willing to learn whatever they are willing to ask you to do.

I have done every job on a film set, other than being a director or a skilled technical person, at least once by being willing to do whatever needed to be done.

Now, when I produce, I do a lot of the "location" oriented jobs myself, assigning tasks to my assistants.

I have been a part of over 200 productions -- not one has ever been the same nor has the personnel roster. Each production, whether a feature, a television shoot or a commercial, has its own unique requirements.

If you really want to learn how things work, start dissecting budgets and talking to those who worked on a production. Skilled people do their jobs, in their own way, and they don't tend to try and write a handbook about something that isn't, and never will be, a standardized profession.

This is not a business you learn from books -- you learn by doing. And that includes writing too. I'd be more willing to listen to someone who has read 500 scripts and written 50 screenplays than someone who has read every book on the subject and written one screenplay. The former may not be good enough but he/she gets it while the latter is trying to force academic attitudes into the professional world. Doesn't work.

Every community has opportunities for working on a production of some sort. Seek out the ones in yours.

NikeeGoddess · Dec 23, 2007

I tried to volunteer for a shoot in my area (New England) this past summer, but I never heard back on the e-mail I sent.

suggestion: join this organization. the networking is worth the fee.
http://wifvne.org/home.php
and don't volunteer - ask for pay even if it's just a token. most even small independent features have some budget money for a location manager. and they're respect you for being more professional if you ask for money. and don't tell them you want to learn. tell them (esp if they're not local) that you have an edge because you know the area.

a location manager must: create driving directions for crew, find a spot for crew to eat and restroom facilities within walking distance of each and every shoot, get permits to close off streets, etc... you can do this because you "know the area"

odocoileus · Dec 23, 2007

Location Scouting and Management Handbook

This is the only book I can find specifically on location management. There are books on production management, like The Film Director's Team, but these focus exclusively on the jobs of UPM and first AD, so not much info on locations.

If and when you're in LA, it wouldn't hurt to call the Teamsters office, and ask for some contacts with working location managers. Make it clear that you're not looking for work (yet!). Offer to buy them a beer, coffee, whatever, and just talk to them about their jobs.

You might be able to to the same in NYC. I've never actually worked on a shoot in NYC, but I understand that locations in NYC can be particularly tough. I couldn't tell you if the union arrangement is the same, though the LA Teamster office could probably tell you how things work in NY.

As noted previously, Locations Manager is the correct title. A US TV show will typically have a Location Manager, an Assistant LM, and hire locations PA's as needed. Location managers are represented by the Teamsters Hollywood local.

http://www.hollywoodteamsters.org/Documents/tabid/83/Default.aspx

The area with the trailers for actors, hair, makeup, and wardrobe is always called base camp. Choosing the location and arrangement for base camp is done through a consultation between the Locations Manager, the Unit Production Manager, the First Assistant Director, and the Transportation Captain.

The Unit Production Manager is the head of the assistant director team, usually in charge of all the financial and budget decisions for the actual physical production. If the production is large enough, the UPM may have a line producer above him who has the final say on budget issues. Sometimes, the UPM has the additional title of line producer. Unlike UPM's and first AD's, line producers aren't in the DGA. Line producers are above the line.

The first AD is the on set supervisor of all the personnel, budget and schedule issues. He reports to the UPM, but his primary job is helping the director get through the shoot on time and on budget. The first AD will always participate in drawing up the plan for location shoots, and raise any objections or advocate changes he believes are necessary.

The locations manager will do the primary legwork in terms of finding the locations, getting permits, securing property owners cooperation, renting facilities, hiring security and/or police, based on what's in the script and what the UPM, first AD, and Transportation Captain have told him will be needed.

The Transportation Captain is the head of the Teamster crew who drives all the trucks and vans, transports the trailers, rents and purchases vehicles for the production. He will advise the other members of the production team what he will need in terms of space, entrances and exits, travel routes, time and cost.

Locations managers and their PA's are the ones who put up those foamcore signs you see all over LA, wired to lampposts, directing the crew and cast to the location. They have to get there before everyone else, often at 3 or 4 in the morning to make sure that everything is clear to move in millions of dollars of people and equipment. Locations managers may end up staying on location after the shoot's over to clean up and tie up any loose ends.

Plot Device · Dec 24, 2007

Even better! Thanks, odocoileus!

I have a question about doing a location shoot

Plot Device

A woman said to write like a man.

Zelenka

Going home!

NikeeGoddess

Plot Device

A woman said to write like a man.

clockwork

In the zone...

Plot Device

A woman said to write like a man.

zagoraz

Zelenka

Going home!

Plot Device

A woman said to write like a man.

Plot Device

A woman said to write like a man.

clockwork

In the zone...

Plot Device

A woman said to write like a man.

clockwork

In the zone...

Plot Device

A woman said to write like a man.

LIVIN

Plot Device

A woman said to write like a man.

LIVIN

Plot Device

A woman said to write like a man.

PerditaDrury

NikeeGoddess

odocoileus

Plot Device

A woman said to write like a man.