When boiling down sprawling stories into short videos, field producers rely on a variety of tools, including the art of location scouting. In this article, we will cover some of the goals Matty D. Media maintains while scouting a location.
Sometimes, our crew can capture a documentary without first visiting the space. However, the more information we can gather during the pre-production, the better the final video will be. Therefore, this outline should be a great simple overview for location-scouting, whether you’re an aspiring field producer or a future video production client.
We are using a property shoot in this hypothetical scenario. However, these rules can apply to any setting.
Top 10 Goals During a Location Scout
1. Developing a Questionnaire by Understand the Property’s Story
We produce documentaries driven by commentary of every day people and professionals. Sure, during a location scouting session, we are looking for the best visuals. However, it’s important to know that we are also listening for the most important elements of the story. During pre-production we are developing a list of talking points. Those topics of conversation are crafted into a questionnaire that our field producers ask during on-camera interviews. And so before we look at the setting in person, it’s important to know what we are listening for.
During a first visit to a setting, expect some “stupid questions” from the field producer. Ask what makes the property unique. Favorite views, trails, ponds, barns, wildlife, gardens, or seasonal features often become the strongest visual moments.
2. Choose the Best Recording Locations
Walk the property to identify the strongest interview spots, scenic views, and natural landmarks. Look for locations that tell the story of the land or space.
During a location scouting session, the field producer will start to map out a rough draft of the storyboard. The storyboard is a visual outline of what shots should be gathered, with what possible angles, and how the camera can be framed. A storyboard may also direct an action sequence that makes sense (ex. An establishing wide shot, followed by a group shot arriving, followed by a close-up of the main character).
Our top 10 list of considerations consider below, but those first two goals are the most important. Ultimately, we are focused on the interview and the supporting shots. Please continue reading to see what else a field producer should be doing while location scouting in pre-production.
3. Listen for Sound Challenges
Identify anything that could affect recording quality, such as nearby roads, farm equipment, barking dogs, airplanes, wind, or running water. Planning ahead helps the crew bring the right audio equipment.
4. Plan Around the Best Light
Visit or discuss when the property looks its best. Sunrise, sunset, shade patterns, and seasonal lighting can dramatically improve the finished video. If the video shoot is already scheduled, aim to do the location scouting near that same time of day. If it’s shortly after sunrise, a field producer can take inventory of what the lighting (and shadow) situation will be.
5. Review Privacy and Boundaries
Determine which buildings, family members, vehicles, personal belongings, or neighboring properties should stay out of the video. Confirm any areas that should not be recorded, including drone no-fly preferences.
Our storyboard can also list a column of shots to be gathered from the ground, as compared to the sky.
6. Build a Recording Schedule
Choose recording times that fit the property’s activity. Consider weather, livestock, landscaping, deliveries, and other factors that could either improve or interrupt the production.
7. Look for Supporting Visuals
Ask whether aerial photos, historical photos, maps, trail layouts, or previous property images can help tell the story and reduce recording time. For example, if the client has photos (or video recordings) he or she wants to volunteer to the video production crew, the location scouting session is the best time to transfer those. This is not only a checklist item that can be accomplished during this housekeeping, but those photos may help shape how a question is asked in any future interviews on-camera.
8. Identify the Property’s Best Selling Points
Discuss the features of the setting that the client (and therefore future buyers) care about most. Wide-open spaces, privacy, recreational opportunities, nearby attractions, or recent improvements may deserve extra attention.
If there is a selling point that is currently having its “off-season,” brainstorm ways to still tell that story. For example, a cornfield may lie empty without any plants currently growing. If that cornfield is an important part of the story, it’s the field producer’s job to consider how that image can still be delivered. It might be an older photo that’s given more life. Or, the space may be shown with a voiceover that explains what it will look like in the future. In the right situation, an artist rendering or 3D modeling can be used.
9. Know the Target Audience
Clarify who is most likely to purchase the property or use the space. The video should speak directly to the needs of that buyer, whether they are looking for a family home, hunting land, farmland, or a peaceful country retreat.
10. Prepare Everyone for Recording Day
Explain what to expect during production. Let participants know the interview will feel like a relaxed conversation with open-ended questions, and that the final video will be carefully edited into a polished story.
The post What to expect when field producers conduct location scouting before filming appeared first on Matty D Media.
