Getting a location can be the biggest task in producing a film project.
After you figure out what your location(s) will be, you can then work out a lot of other logistical issues such as sound issues, transportation needs, how the director will get the shots that you need, lighting, and additional costs (such as having to pay for parking for you crew.)
If you were going to do it the straight and narrow route, you would need permits and more permits and insurance and bonds and payments to the town, county, state in the area and clearances signed and, and, and, and…
I think this would be a good time to mention again that I’m not a lawyer.
Before I write this section, I want to just state that I am not a lawyer and there are a lot of issues about getting and securing film locations that could be an entire website in itself. Be safe; call a lawyer to find out the details you need to protect yourself. I am not legally responsible for what I put up here and this is not legal advice, just some dumb-ass, know-it-all, short-filmmaker’s humble opinion.
Scouting Locations
If you’re not familiar with the concept of “scouting” for locations, what that generally entails on feature films is the Locations Manager searches out places to shoot the movie.
Leverage What You’ve Got
Scouting Locations for Short Films with Low Budgets or No Budget.
Cost of Location
“Cost” doesn’t always mean money. You can benefit whomever is letting you use their space in a lot of different ways that can create a win-win situation.
Other Film Location Issues
Sound check. Driving between two locations. Other issues that producers don’t often think about until the day of the shoot.
Outdoor Locations
My unofficial, “fast & dirty”, don’t-blame-me-if-you-get-in-trouble, words of wisdom.
