• In the case of film shoots, either a script or storyboard arrives at our office. This is
  broken down into locations and a schedule.
  
  
• In the case of ‘stills’ advertising, a layout may arrive from the photographer or
  advertising agency for advice for locations, local models, props etc.
  
  
  Research possible locations.
• There are locations that are easy to find, and others that are difficult. Finding the
  location is only one part of the problem....
  
  
• Do a "recce"
  
  
• To get all government/non government permissions and permits before
  commencement of shooting.

Over the years, Films & Adfilms has collected considerable information and photographs, which is usually the first port of call when we start looking for a location. Now we have a computerised location library with thousands of photographs and transparencies.

No matter how large and comprehensive our library gets, there is no substitute for a location manager visiting the site and working out the logistics. We might have a picture in the library of the very spot, but each project is different, and the photographer's or director's requirements must be matched to the right location. So we always do a recce to match the clients requirements.

It's not just that the location must look good and confirm to the brief, it must also make practical sense. It's pointless looking for the right place on a busy main road, since we will want to stop traffic during the photography. There must be suitable spot to put up the camera, and it must be far back enough to get the right perspective on the scene. If, behind the camera, the land slopes away suddenly, we might need to build a scaffolding tower to get the camera into the right position. There's the parking of our own vehicles and the equipment of the special effects team also to be taken into consideration.

Bearing all the above in mind, the location manager aims to find and photograph several possible locations. He doesn't just climb in his car and drive! He'll have all the local survey maps, and will have spent some time identifying the right places to look. Notes will be taken about orientation, and the photographs taken by the location manager will show the locality comprehensively.

So with any luck our location manager/photographers will return from his recce with rolls of film to be processed and mounted up. These will be shown to the photographer/director/film company/agency and a decision taken about the one that looks best.

Of course, on top of everything else, the location manager will have the names and phone numbers of the local council, local police, found a suitable hotel and also spoken to the farmer who owns the field or the owner of any property chosen at each of the locations. Once the location is finalized, it's simply a matter of phoning up the right people and telling them we're coming. Its simple as that.