Systematic documentation of a location — photos, floor plans, light conditions, power supply, parking. Foundation for planning and permits.
You're standing in front of a potential filming location and need to decide: Does this work? For that, you need a location scout report — the systematic recording of all aspects your set, your crew, and your equipment require. This isn't optional, but the foundation of any clean production planning.
The location scout report documents the site with photos, video, floor plans, and precise measurements. You record lighting conditions at different times of day — where does sunlight fall, where are there shadows, where will you need artificial light later? Power supply is crucial: Where are the nearest outlets, what capacity does the location offer, do you need a generator? Parking for vehicles, catering trucks, equipment vans — all of this must be mapped out. You also document acoustics: Is the location noisy, are there disruptive sound sources? For interiors, you measure ceiling heights, wall and window distances — your gaffer needs to know where they have rigging points, your production designer where decorations will fit. Exterior locations require information on permits, potential camera blind spots, and protection from wind and weather.
In practice: You take digital photos from multiple angles, measure with laser devices, sketch or photograph existing plans. You note contact details of caretakers or owners, opening hours, restrictions — can I use the location on Sunday or not? Are there any neighboring properties I need to note? Your location scout report is then passed on to location managers, production designers, gaffers, sound technicians, and the production manager. They use it to decide whether the location is feasible for a specific scenario or if compromises are necessary.
Amateur mistakes: Submitting a good location scout report with an incomplete power analysis and later discovering that the planned lighting rig is impossible. Or photographic documentation without existing plans — then your production designer can't truly visualize the spaces. The best location scout report is precise, visual, and technically accurate. It saves you surprises on set later.