Location scout
Locationscout (also: Location Scout) is an artistic profession in the media industry. Location scouts find locations for film and photo productions. The search for the motifs is preceded by reading the script and an intensive artistic exchange with the set designer . But he must also take into account the logistical and financial requirements of production. The search for a motif used to be part of the set designer’s work , but was then increasingly outsourced. Since the 1990s, the profession has become more and more popular with production companies. Hardly any advertising or feature film production does without the professional "film view" of the location scouts. In contrast to the location manager, who is responsible for the logistical aspects of filming locations, the location scout determines the locations in which a film or photo production moves according to artistic aspects. The Federal Association of Locationscouts (BVL) has existed as a professional association of active location scouts in Germany since 2010.
tasks
The tasks of the location scout are:
- Searching for and locating the locations according to the specifications of the script and in consultation with the production designer and director
- Documentation of the locations with photos or videos, checking for potential difficulty factors,
- Examination of the possibility of filming permission
- Checking the infrastructure on site
- Organization of motive tours (filming location visits) for the director, cameraman , set designer and representatives of the production.
- After acceptance by the director, the transfer of the locations of the design manager or carried manager , which then takes care of the logistic and organizational part.
Project-related search
The location scout discusses the script with the director and the set designer. In some cases he also has a certain right to have a say or to make changes if technical or organizational adversities or difficulties arise (e.g. requirements by the motivator or authorities) or if the locations described in the script cannot be found exactly as described.
Project-independent search
Location scouts look for and collect interesting locations on their own and put them in their own location databases. There are agencies that specialize in certain locations . Not infrequently they are even responsible for the corresponding extra series . This species is mainly found in the USA , but is finding more and more imitators in Europe .
Online location scouting
In order to keep the costs of scouting low, suitable locations are often researched online in advance with the help of Google Maps , image databases or location platforms.
Location platforms
There are specialized online location databases with directories of private, public and commercial film locations for the various regional markets. These are mostly operated by film commissions , location agencies or other commercial operators. Here customers have the opportunity to view a location online. Depending on the database, you can book the location there or trigger an inquiry. Depending on the model, location scouts and motivators can offer and market their own locations and receive inquiries.
Other research options include travel and photography blogs, platforms for housing and office brokerage (e.g. AirBNB), architecture blogs and forums, and business directories.
literature
- Ralph Gerstenberg: Hard on the edge. Detective novel. Grafit, Dortmund 2002, ISBN 389-425-264-2