Location Scouting: Finding the Ideal Setting for Your Brand’s Story.

When it comes to photography and video production, the importance of location cannot be overstated. The right setting can make or break your project, setting the stage for your brand’s story and enhancing its visual appeal. As a location scout for St. Louis Locations, I understand the crucial role that location scouting plays in the world of visual storytelling. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the art and science of location scouting and how it can help you find the ideal setting for your brand’s story.

The Art of Location Scouting
Location scouting is an art as much as it is a science. It requires a trained eye, creative vision, and an in-depth understanding of the storytelling process. Let’s dive into the key aspects of location scouting:

1. Understanding the Story
Before embarking on a location scout, it’s essential to have a deep understanding of the story you want to tell. What is the mood, message, and visual style of your project? This knowledge will guide your search for the perfect setting.

2. Research and Preparation
Effective location scouting begins with thorough research. Investigate potential locations based on your project’s requirements. This might include checking permits, regulations, and other legal considerations.

3. Visual Composition
Composition is a critical factor in location scouting. A visually appealing location should complement your project’s aesthetic. Consider elements like framing, lighting, and how the location interacts with your subject.

4. Seasonal Considerations
Different seasons can drastically alter a location’s appearance. Understanding how a location changes throughout the year is crucial. For instance, the lush greenery of summer may contrast starkly with the snowy landscapes of winter.

5. Access and Logistics
Is the location easily accessible? Can you transport equipment and crew without issues? Consider logistical concerns such as parking, proximity to amenities, and potential disruptions from nearby construction or events.

6. Safety and Permits
Ensuring the safety of your crew and complying with local regulations is paramount. Obtain the necessary permits and assess potential risks associated with the location.

7. Budget Constraints
While searching for the perfect location, keep your budget in mind. Some settings may require additional expenses, such as location fees or travel costs. Balancing the ideal location with budget constraints is a skillful task.

8. Location Scouting Tools
Modern technology has revolutionized location scouting. Various tools and software, such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems), can assist scouts in mapping and assessing locations effectively. Drone photography and 360-degree virtual tours are also invaluable resources.

The Science of Location Scouting
While the art of location scouting focuses on aesthetics and creativity, the science of scouting involves data-driven decision-making. Here are some key aspects of the scientific side of location scouting:

1. Geographical Considerations
Understanding the geography of the location is crucial. Factors like proximity to urban areas, natural landscapes, bodies of water, and elevation can significantly influence your choice.

2. Demographics
Who is your target audience, and where are they located? Knowing your audience can help you select locations that resonate with them.

3. Climate and Weather
Weather conditions can greatly impact your shoot. It’s essential to consider the local climate and its potential effects on your production.

4. Historical and Cultural Significance
Sometimes, the historical or cultural significance of a location can enhance the narrative of your project. Be sure to explore this aspect during scouting.

5. Environmental Impact
Consider the environmental impact of your shoot. Are there protected habitats or areas that should be preserved? Ensure that your production doesn’t harm the location’s ecosystem.

6. Property Rights
Respect property rights and ownership. Make sure you have the necessary permissions to film on private property, and adhere to any restrictions set by property owners.

7. Technical Considerations
Think about the technical requirements of your shoot. Does the location offer the necessary facilities and infrastructure, such as electricity and internet connectivity, to support your production?

The Role of a Location Scout
A location scout acts as the bridge between your creative vision and the practical requirements of your project. Here’s how a location scout can benefit your photography or video production:

1. Time and Resource Efficiency
A skilled location scout can save you time and resources by finding the right location quickly and efficiently. They have the expertise to filter out unsuitable options and present you with top choices.

2. Problem Solving
If challenges arise during scouting, such as legal issues or logistical complications, a location scout can navigate these obstacles effectively, ensuring your project stays on track.

3. Creativity and Vision
Location scouts possess a creative eye and can help you visualize how a location can fit into your project’s narrative. They can suggest unique settings that you might not have considered.

4. Risk Management
Location scouts have experience in assessing and mitigating risks associated with a particular location. They can identify potential issues and recommend solutions to keep your production safe and on schedule.

5. Cost Savings
An experienced location scout can negotiate deals and secure permits, potentially saving you money and reducing budget overruns.

St. Louis Locations: Your Trusted Partner in Location Scouting
St. Louis Locations is a full-service video and photography production company based in St. Louis. With a deep understanding of the art and science of location scouting, we can accommodate all your location scouting requirements. Our team of experts is well-versed in every aspect of location scouting and management for your production.

Here’s how St. Louis Locations can help you:

Expertise: We have a team of seasoned location scouts with years of experience. We understand the nuances of storytelling and can find locations that perfectly align with your vision.

Local Knowledge: As a St. Louis-based company, we have an in-depth understanding of the local area and its diverse landscapes. We know where to find the hidden gems that will make your project stand out.

Regulatory Compliance: We are well-versed in the legal and regulatory aspects of location scouting. We ensure all necessary permits and permissions are obtained, so your production proceeds without hiccups.

Cost Efficiency: Our team has a knack for finding cost-effective locations without compromising quality. We’ll make the most of your budget.

Safety: Your safety and the safety of your crew are paramount. We conduct thorough risk assessments and ensure that your production is conducted in a secure environment.

Creative Vision: We’re not just about logistics; we also bring a creative touch to location scouting. We understand how a location can enhance your story and make it visually compelling.

As a creative location scout, St. Louis Locations has worked with many businesses of all types and sizes in the St. Louis area. We are experts at finding just the right location for your shooting projects.

If you’re in need of a professional location scout, look no further than St. Louis Locations. Contact us today, and let’s embark on a journey to find the ideal setting for your brand’s story. Your project’s success starts with the perfect location, and we’re here to make it happen.

Remember, your location is not just a backdrop; it’s an integral part of your brand’s narrative. With St. Louis Locations, you can ensure that your story is set in the most captivating and fitting environment, making your photography and video projects truly exceptional.

Mike Haller
4501 Mattis Road
St. Louis, MO 63128
stlouislocations@gmail.com
Studio 314-892-1233
Cell 314-913-5626

Scouting for the best location

Why is Location Scouting Important?

Location scouting is about more than just finding the right room or park for a specific scene. Location scouting allows key members of the crew to walk through the space they want to shoot in and ensure it not only looks great but can support the needs of the shooting crew and cast.

 

It also is a great time to uncover any potential problems with the location, such as lack of adequate lighting or power.

While this may seem obvious, the script holds the most important information when it comes to finding the right location to shoot a certain scene. Each and every noteworthy element must be considered.

Is the shoot a period piece? Does it take place in a certain kind of park in a certain part of the world? What elements does the writer describe being included in the space the scene takes place? What time of day is it supposed to be?

 

Film, video and photography location scouts in St. Louis

 

Carefully review every part of the script so that you can go into your location scout with a solid picture of exactly what kind of location you’ll need for each scene you’re planning to shoot.

Mike Haller – Cell 314-913-5626

St Louis Location Scout | Drone Photography and Video

There are a few important things to take into consideration when on an initial location scout.  The most obvious is you want your locations to match (as best they can) the brief that the director created and the mood he or she is after.  Besides the overall look you need to also be thinking about the logistics of the location.

The production will do their best to make company moves easy, parking easy, and take care of all the other things but a DP has to be on the look out for things like 2nd story locations, tight access for rigging and cardinal orientation of a set.  The earlier you spot a problem the more likely you will be able to fix it before the shoot.

 

We are also well versed in flying drones and can help scout your location and provide drone aerial images and video.

Mike Haller
314-892-1233
stlouislocations@gmail.com
9910 Claywood Court
St. Louis, MO 63126

Location scouting in St. Louis to find the best location for your video or photography shoot is imperative!

Selecting the right location for a successful shoot.

 

Scouting locations is a vital pre-production step that will help you meet almost any challenge when you shoot video or photography in the field. Here are several tips that will help you as you scope out potential video shooting locations.

Location Scouting in Saint Louis and Missouri - family on the run

1. Know your script. Choose a site that matches the setting of your story. This is the first rule of location scouting. As you set out to evaluate locations, you’ll likely face countless possibilities: natural areas, historic sites, distinctive buildings, urban landscapes and waterfront settings, to name a few. Remember, above all, that you have a story to tell. Choose a location that lends itself to the story you want to produce. You should never be bound by your locations. Locations are simply raw materials. You need to know what the script demands before you can select a suitable location.

2. Scout at the right time. Be aware that locations can change. It’s wise to check your spot on the day of the week and the time of day that you’ll be taping: these factors can produce surprisingly large changes on the suitability of a location.

Automobile traffic and noise, visitors to recreation and entertainment spots, and tourists at scenic or historic areas (to name just a few examples) all come in waves that vary dramatically based on the time of day, the day of the week and the season.

3. Look at light. Churches, ballrooms, restaurants, auditoriums and homes generally feature low amounts of available lighting. Check light levels by shooting a few seconds of test footage with your camcorder.

Solutions for poor lighting might be as simple as scouting out window blinds and curtains that can be opened to add daylight. In some cases you may wish to bring in lights or ask permission to replace the bulbs in accessible light fixtures with brighter-burning units.

4. Follow the sun. Outdoor lighting conditions can be as challenging as those indoors; exterior illumination changes all day long. As you’re scouting locations, pay attention to whether a given spot is in full sun, partial sun or full shade. Bright sun can be harsh on people’s faces, and light-colored surfaces can blow out in full sunlight, causing automatic camcorder lenses to underexpose shots. Partial sun can be tricky, as well; today’s camcorders, though sophisticated, can have trouble handling the high contrast in this situation. Ultimately, you may find that fully shaded locations or overcast days produce the most consistent results.

5. Check for power supplies. Many outdoor locations are far from power sources and even some indoor locations can pose AC challenges, so multiple camera batteries are always a good idea. But you’ll still need to evaluate your power options at any location.

St Louis location scout - Missouri locations

How will you power your lights? What if you do end up draining all your batteries? Is there anywhere to plug in the charger? Is the spot remote enough to make a car-lighter AC adapter a good idea? In a location that does have power, you may be able to plug in, but you’ll still need to think about the system’s pre-existing load and whether or not you can get to the fuse (breaker) box in case something blows.

6. Listen. Clean, high-quality sound is critical in making a video that rises above the ordinary, and its silence that ensures you get the location sound that you came for.

The whooshing of traffic, the white noise of moving water, and the echoes of voices and movements can all get in the way of high-quality audio. As you scout a location, check for any of these conditions by listening to your camcorder’s microphone pickup through headphones. Test your wireless mike at the site as well, listening closely for any type of interference.

7. Examine the elements. Sun, rain, wind, snow, heat, and cold — all of nature’s elements can help or hurt, depending on what you’re hoping to capture on film. So, it’s critical to check the forecast as you’re scouting.

Video cameras don’t like rain, salty beach air or moisture from waterfalls. Smeared lenses and water or salt inside the card reader can spell disaster. Bright, hot locations with lots of sunlight can also be a problem: black and gray camcorder bodies absorb the sun’s rays and can cause overheating when left exposed. A beach or patio umbrella can help protect your gear from the elements in both sun and rain.

Cold temperatures can drain batteries and make you and your helpers uncomfortable very quickly. Plan to keep equipment warm by storing it inside a coat or car until you’re ready to shoot, and by wrapping it in a spare scarf or jacket while taping. And watch out when bringing cameras back into warm interiors from the frigid outdoors: this can cause significant amounts of moisture to condense inside both optics and electronics.

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8. Decide where to set up. Make sure that there’s adequate space for you to set up all of your gear, so that you’re able to get the shots you have in mind. A small shed may seem like the perfect location for a shoot, until you realize that there isn’t enough room to position your gear. You may have plenty of room in a large space like a church or an auditorium, but you may not be able to roam freely. As you scout your locations, verify that you can physically get to the spots you intend to shoot from.

9. Get permission. Be aware that you’ll need to secure permits and other legal permissions to shoot at certain locations. As you’re looking at a location, do a legal reality check.

Have you chosen a street or sidewalk location that will impede traffic? Do you plan to shoot on someone else’s property? Cemeteries, malls, grocery stores, corporations and businesses are all private property. Many owners will be happy to accommodate you if you ask, but if not, you’ll need to choose another location. It’s better to get permission in advance than to have a shoot interrupted by the authorities.

10. Evaluate the area. Check on communications: Is there cell phone reception in the area you’ve chosen to shoot? How about a nearby pay phone? If you’re driving a long way, have you planned for a breakdown?

Search the area for quick food stops to satisfy you and your crew in the midst of a busy schedule and double-check the address of a local electronics store, just in case you need to replace a cable or adapter.

One day, something will go wrong; it’s inevitable. But when you’ve scouted out the backup possibilities at a location, you can take most obstacles in stride.

11. And finally, take notes! When you sit down to evaluate a location after a day of exploring, you’ll be glad you have scouting reports to refer to. In your scouting expeditions for a shoot, in your daily travels, on your family vacations, and in your mind’s eye, you’ll come across countless locations and changing conditions, each of which will be unique and potentially important to you.

Write them down, take still photos or shoot a little video with a running audio commentary. Note the time of day, the quality of the light, the sounds in the air, and the things you felt. One day you might return.

314-892-1233

Mike Haller

St Louis Location Scout

mikeh@hallerconcepts.com

Saint Louis, Missouri, USA | Midwest Location Scouting

film production st louis | st louis video production

St Louis Film Production

If you are planning on shooting in St Louis you really should call us first.  We can help you with all pre production scouting and logistics as well as production and post production.  If you’ve been around the Midwest as long as we have Scouting & Managing Locations is a natural in our business. We just might know what you are looking for. You just have to know where to go, who to talk to and when to get the right image! We do St. Louis and Midwest location scouting for Film, Video, Photography and the Web.

film production st louis

Mike Haller

314-892-1233

St Louis Location Scout

Member – Location Managers Guild of America (LMGA)

Our corporation has been in business since 1982, we are deeply experienced in film, video production, photography and print.

missouri film scout | film production st louis

We’ve been scouting in Missouri and Illinois for a number of years and are quite familiar with the Midwest region. Kansas City, Springfield, St Louis, Joplin, Cape Girardeau, we know the areas and we can help your production. Good quality location scouting can make your production better and less expensive.

 

Missouri film and video location scout for American Idol Winner Phillip Phillips

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Film and video scouting in Missouri.

American Idol Winner Phillip Phillips in Springfield, Missouri and surrounding Missouri county areas this recent January 2013 music video and film shoot .  Great person, wonderful film and video crew production.  Thanks everyone!

Missouri Film Scout Mike Haller for American Idol Winner Phillip Phillips.

St Louis Missouri film scout | film production | producers

st louis and missouri location scout and manager

Mike Haller

314-892-1233

St Louis Location Scout

Member – Location Managers Guild of America (LGMA)

Our corporation has been in business since 1982, we are deeply experienced in film, video production, photography and print.

Missouri Film Scout | film production st louis

St Louis Missouri location scout Mike Haller 314-892-1233, surveyed and recommended all Missouri and Illinois locations involved with these commercial campaigns for S-R Automotive and General Motors.