Tag Archive for 'studios'

Wants to put movie studio in Hudson - The Jersey Journal - NJ.com

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An Australian-born cinematographer who has been involved in the making of 30 films is looking to set up a film and TV production studio in Hudson County.

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Film producer has plan to bring big-budget movies to NC - StarNewsOnline.com

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on September 26, 2008
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To manage this state-wide stage system effectively, he said, the State Film Office would need to oversee the stages moreso than our regional film …

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Plan to convert an empty airplane hangar into a film studio is … - Los Angeles Times

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on September 19, 2008
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Last edited: September 20, 2008
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The hangars in Playa Vista south of Marina del Rey where aviator Howard Hughes built his Spruce Goose transport plane are a popular film location, however, …
  • Boeing site going Hollywood Long Beach Press-Telegram

    • …read more…






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    Filming Is Slow in Los Angeles

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    Los Angeles Times | Entertainment | Major studio film shoots in Los Angeles grind almost to a halt | Production was ramped up in anticipation of a possible actors strike, with most big-budget movies for next year wrapping by June 30. | By Richard Verrier, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
    August 26, 2008 | via LocationTalk

    “If not for an epic struggle between alien robots, the streets of Los Angeles might be devoid of major studio drama.

    Filming of big-budget movies has ground to a virtual halt across the city and much of the county, a slowdown partly driven by scheduling decisions studios made a year ago to prepare for a possible actors strike.”

    …read more…

    feed L.A. Times - Entertainment News
    • Life’s little dramas on ‘Southern Belles’ | Sunday, 5 July 2009, 3:00 am
      The women of Louisville grin and bear it on the Soapnet reality series. But on this decorum- heavy series, the unspoken is equally intriguing. The thr. […]
    • Movies reboot as TV shows | Sunday, 5 July 2009, 3:00 am
      This fall brings ‘Eastwick,’ ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ and ‘Parenthood,’ each based on a successful film. “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”. […]
    • At Outfest, redefining gay film | Sunday, 5 July 2009, 3:00 am
      This year’s festival includes movies by LBGT filmmakers who are broadening the milieu of their stories. In “La Mission,” screening Thursday as the ope. […]
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    MFO: Soundstage Planned For South Boston

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    Massachusetts Film Office | Boston Herald | Developer wants to build South Boston soundstage | By Scott Van Voorhis | August 7, 2008 | via LocationTalk

    “Welcome to Southie-wood.

    Developer Tim Pappas is floating plans to build an L.A.-style movie production complex on a vacant lot he owns at the corner of West First and E streets, according to state Rep. Brian Wallace (D-South Boston), who was briefed on the proposal.”

    …read more…

    feed Massachusetts Film Office
    • DOR: MOVIE SPENDING IN MA IS $676 MILLION | Friday, 3 July 2009, 4:20 pm
      When DOR’s “ripple effect” multiplier is factored in, the total economic output topped $870 million, which–as of the end of FY 2008–came at no. […]
    • No Lie: Mill City Shines in Gervais Movie Trailer | Monday, 29 June 2009, 2:07 pm
      The movie’s trailer was officially released Friday. It is only two minutes and sixteen seconds long, but it is all there: La Boniche, The Dubliner, Ma. […]
    • YouTube: Trailer for INVENTION OF LYING | Monday, 29 June 2009, 1:15 pm
      INVENTION OF LYING, shot in Massachusetts in 2008, opens in theaters nationwide on September 25, 2009.
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    links for 2008-06-18

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    links for 2008-06-10

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    links for 2008-05-31

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    links for 2008-05-21

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    Monster That Ate Hollywood

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    PBS - Frontline: The Monster That Ate Hollywood:

    “Have risk-averse MBAs killed Hollywood’s magic? Studio executives, producers, filmmakers, and critics talk about how the movie business, and movies themselves, have changed.”

    …read the rest…

    Press Reactions

    Frontline: The Monster That Ate Hollywood (2001) (IMDB)

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    update 5/16/2008 | added map / links / general cleanup | original timestamp February 16, 2006 at 10:40 am


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    links for 2008-05-16

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    Creative Directory (Chicago / Midwest)

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    Last edited: July 23, 2008
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    Creative Directory

    “The midwest’s leading source for the creative community | Creative Directory Services provides an umbrella site for all aspects of the production community servicing the Midwest”

    …read more…

    Category Headings of resources (visit Creative Directory for links):

  • Computer / Print / Prepress / Animation / Systems Design
  • Photo / Photographers / Assistant Photographers / Stock Photo / Footage / Images / Photolabs / Service Bureaus / Finishing / Make-Up / Hair Stylist s/ Food Stylists / Home Economists / Photo Stylists / Location Scouts / Sets / Props / Costumes / Stunts / Special Effects / Photo Reps / Illustrator Reps
  • Art / Design / Retouchers
  • Print / Color Separators/ Proofing / Comps / Finishing / Converting / Binding / Direct Mail / Fulfillment / Printers / Promotional Products / Specialty Imprinting
  • Photo / Photolabs / Service Bureaus / Finishing
  • Multimedia / Foreign Language Services / Subtitles / Staging / Exhibits / Trade Shows / Meetings / Location / Sites / Events
  • Film and Video / Production Companies / Studios / Producers / Video / Film Crews / Production Company Reps / Director Reps
  • Audio / Sound and Music Studios / Composers / Sound Design / Music Libraries / SFX / Production Music / Location Recording / Sound
  • Post / Production / Film Laboratories / Captioning / Duplication / Replication / Distribution
  • Equipment / Sales / Rental / Service / Film Stock / Bulk Tape / Recording Media / Teleprompters / Grips / Lighting / Rolling Stock / Studio Rental / Stage Rental / Art Supplies / Photo Supplies
  • Talent / Model Agencies / Performing Talent / Casting / Coaching / Choreographers / Dance Companies / Talent Payment
  • Media / Creative Staffing / Freelance Writers / Marketing Communications / Public Relations / Advertising Agencies / Associations / Organizations / Media Buying / Messenger Services / Business Services / Caterers / Hotels

    • …visit Creative Directory…

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    links for 2008-05-14

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    Location Scouting Tips

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    Last edited: July 31, 2008
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    Location, Location, Location: Scouting Tips | By Scott Spears - Cinematographer

    “Just like in real estate, when you leave the studio (if you were ever in one) one of the biggest factors to a good shoot, is location, location, location. I’ve been on many a location scout and have seen some great location and so not so great locations. One of the biggest things when seeing what looks like a great location is you have to think will it work logistically. The factors to locations are cost, sound issues, power and logistics. We’ll break those down in a minute.”

    …read the rest…

    Location, Location, Location: Scouting Tips Sub-Headings:

  • Cost
  • Sound Issues
  • Power
  • Logistics
  • Paperwork
  • Final Thoughts
  • Location, Location, Location: Scouting Tips was also published at Internet Video Magazine - Scouting Tips for Shooting on Location

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    Filmyard Berlin

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    Filmausstatter Filmyard Berlin, Unterwasserdreharbeiten, Locationscout, Unterwasserfilmarbeiten

    Website is in German - excerpted translated texts in English (via Google Translate) are in italics

    Film Sets Berlin Film Yard, Underwater Filming, Location Scout, Underwater Film Works

    From Unterwasserfilm & Fotoproduktionen Underwater Film & Photo Production:

    Service

    “Seit 2001 arbeitet filmyard, mit Sitz in Berlin, erfolgreich für Film-, Werbe- und Fotoproduktionen.
    Since 2001, filmyard, based in Berlin, successfully for film, advertising and photo productions.
    Wir bieten unseren Kunden den Full-Service für alle Herausforderungen im Unterwasserbereich – planen, realisieren und optimieren Ihre Unterwasserfilm- und Fotoarbeiten.
    We offer our customers the full service for all challenges in the underwater area - to plan, implement and optimize the underwater film and photo work.”

    …read the rest…

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    updated 5/9/2008 | general cleanup, added map | original timestamp: February 27, 2006 at 10:59 am


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    links for 2008-05-02

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    links for 2008-04-26

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    Melody Ranch Film Location

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    Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio | Newhall, CA

    “Since 1915, when the studio was first opened for business, an endless string of hard riding shoot-em-ups have been produced at this location. Monogram Studios made 750 “B” westerns before selling the ranch to singing cowboy Gene Autry in 1952. Legendary cowboy actors, including William S. Hart, Gary Cooper, Tom Mix, Roy Rogers, Bill Boyd, and John Wayne filmed their westerns here until 1962 when a fire swept through Placerita Canyon destroying the main western street.”

    …read the rest…

    The website for this piece of entertainment history has lots of photos of areas available for filming. The ranch is most famous to many people as belonging to Gene Autry, “The Singing Cowboy”. Currently, Melody Ranch is part of Veluzat Motion Picture Studios, owned by Andre Veluzat and Renaud Veluzat.

    Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio Main Street exterior

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    Motion Picture and Television Photo Archive (MPTV)

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  • Motion Picture and Television Photo Archive (MPTV)
  • Motion Picture and Television Photo Archive Blog

    • Motion Picture and Television Photo Archive | About:

    “Problem:
    The Hollywood photograph is part of our cultural history, documenting as it does, the development and growth of a uniquely American industry. Some are significant works of art in their own right. Thoughtless of the future, some film studios and periodicals, even Photographers themselves, discarded old negatives and prints, or stored them haphazardly. We have already lost too many through deterioration and disposal. If these fragile and irreplaceable images are allowed to disappear, they can never be recaptured.

    Solution:
    Fortunately, we have come to realize that these fast disappearing works substantially shaped and influenced the lives of most twentieth century Americans, and will provide an invaluable visual resource for present and future generations. However, as in the case of other endangered species, it is crucial to act now.

    The aim of MPTV is to provide a permanent photography center with a special emphasis on the Hollywood photograph and the creative achievements of the Photographers.”

    …read the rest…

    This organization, founded by late Hollywood celebrity photographer legend Sid Avery, has an amazing collection of entertainment industry photographs online available for browsing (…and of course, buying! ;-)

    check em out…

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    links for 2008-04-24

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    links for 2008-04-17

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    Last edited: April 21, 2008
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    links for 2008-04-11

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    The Acme

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    About The Acme

    How The ACME Resource Network came to be

    “Necessity is the mother of invention and her name is Libby Woolems. A successful art director who just had to have her way, or at least a better way, to research, create, locate and build the myriad of designs for her commercial and entertainment clients…

    …The idea for The ACME began as a vision, or more like a mirage, that floated before Libby while she sat in her sweltering car thumbing through two milk crates of Yellow Pages and well known entertainment resource directories. On this particular Saturday morning she had one hour to locate a prop that was needed for the first set up and shot of the day. Libby thought to herself, “If only these businesses would simply list their hours.” And so it began in 1997.”

    …read the rest…

    The Acme Resource Network     is a diverse directory of production resources of particularly likely interest to set designers, set builders, film / photo stylists and other art department personnel as well as other production entities such as media production companies in general, line producers and production coordinators, assistant directors and location managers / scouts - particularly those people and companies located in such production-hub areas such as Hollywood (CA), Los Angeles (CA), New York (NY), North Hollywood (CA), San Francisco (CA) and West Hollywood (CA). (these are the “featured cities” from The Acme’s home page)

    I like the name har har :-) - remember in all those Chuck Jones / Road Runner cartoons all of Wile E. Coyote’s “weapons of mass destruction” ;-) and other props were always “Acme” brand?

    p.s. All Chuck Jones’ stuff came straight outta Burbank (Warner Brothers is there) just like The Acme! ;-)

  • nyc.locationscout.us profile on The Acme
    • feed Acme :: RADIO_ACME

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    Journal of Popular Film and Television

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    FindArticles in Journal of Popular Film and Television

    “Journal of Popular Film and Television offers sociocultural perspectives on commercial films and television. Essays discuss networks, genres and audiences, as well as studios, directors and stars.”

    Note: 2/22/08 The above article is 404 not found - RH original datestamp 2/16/08

  • Search for “Journal of Popular Film and Television” at FindArticles

    • Heldref Publications: Journal of Popular Film and Television

    “The Journal of Popular Film and Television answers such far-ranging questions by using the methods of popular culture studies to examine commercial film and television, historical and contemporary.”

    …read more…

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    # Note: Post Updated 7/22/08


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    Estimating

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    on January 11, 2008
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    As a producer or production coordinator, when asked to estimate production costs for a specific shoot, there are almost always some of the basic line items that have to be covered…

    The following laundry list is presented with the caveat that, every production is uniquely different and can, in fact (and often does) change on the fly. The following should be used ONLY as a very basic jumping off point:

    1. assumes the shoot is for commercial / advertising or editorial / corporate still photo shoot with high production values
    2. local (no overnight travel) location shoot
    3. a. specific in some cases to the New York City area
    4. assumes there is professional talent (models) to be involved
  • Note: Does not attempt to cover photographer’s production fees or photography licensing fees.
  • Rates: Fees vary significantly from market to market - if a stable of familiar crew used on past jobs does not exist, best to call as many qualified candidates as possible and get a range of day - rates.

    • Basic Line Items to Consider:

    • Crew

    1. Producer (you!;-)
    a. PrePro Day(s) (research, crewing, coordination…)
    b. Shoot Day(s)
    c. Strike / Wrap/ Returns Day(s)

    2. Location Scout
    a. Research / File Pull Fees / Clearing / Permitting
    b. Location Scouting - Photography / Organization / Presentation / Storage
    c. Tech Scouting with Photographer / Client
    d. Location Management - on set presence on shoot day

    3. Casting Director
    a. Research / Booking Day(s)
    b. Casting Day(s)

    4. Stylist(s) (Wardrobe / Set / Prop Stylist(s) as appropriate
    a.Research / PrePro / Prep Day(s)
    b. Shopping Day(s)
    c. Shoot Day(s)
    d. Wrap / Strike / Returns Day(s)

    5. Hair and Makeup / Groomer
    a. Shoot Day(s)

    6. Digital Tech
    a. Prep / Research / Rental Equipment Pickup / Returns Day(s)
    b. Shoot Day(s)

    7. Assistants
    7a. First Assistant
    a. Research / PrePro / Rental Equipment Pickup / Returns Day(s)
    b. Shoot Day(s)
    7b. 2nd Assistant
    a. Research / PrePro / Rental Equipment Pickup / Returns Day(s)
    b. Shoot Day(s)
    7c. 3rd / 4th Assistant(s)
    a. Shoot Day(s)
    7d. Stylist Assistant(s)
    a. Research / PrePro / Prep / Shopping Day(s) / Returns Day(s)
    b. Shoot Day(s)
    7e. Casting Assistant(s)
    a. Research / Prep Day(s)
    b. Casting Day(s)

    • Talent
    • Location(s)

    1. Photo Location(s)
    a. Prep / Wrap Day(s)
    b. Shoot Day(s)
    2. Casting Studio
    a. Casting Day(s)
    3. Stylist Prep Space
    a. Prep Day(s)
    4. Talent Holding / Equipment / Prop Staging Space(s)
    a. Prep (Staging) Day(s)
    b. Shoot Day(s)

    • Equipment Rentals

    1. Photo Equipment (often as coordinated btn and specified per photographer / digital tech / assistants)
    a. Cameras
    b. Computers / Accessory Hardware
    c. Lighting / Grip

    2. Stylist / Misc Rentals
    a. Steamer(s) / Clothes Rack(s) / Hangers/ Iron/ Ironing Board/ Tools (some items may be part of kit?)
    b. Folding Tables (as may be needed for equipment / props / wardrobe / catering / client workspace)
    c. Folding Chairs (as may be used by idle crew / talent / client workspace)
    d. Golf / Sun Umbrellas / Folding Canopies / Tent(s) (if outdoors)

    • Props / Wardrobe

    1. Possibilities to be either/ or purchase(s) / rentals. Coordinate with Photographer/ Stylist / Client

    • Set / Prop / Model Construction

    1. Set Building is more often related to a studio shoot but probably worthy of mention / consideration here

    2. Prop or Model / Miniature / Mock-Ups

    • Catering / Food Service / Refreshments
    • Transportation

    1. Motorhome (if needed)
    a. Shoot Day(s)
    2. Equipment Truck(s) / Van(s) Rental
    a. Prep / Pickup PrePro Day(s) (if equipment not delivered by vendor)
    3. Crew Transportation (Cabs / Subways / Auto Rentals as might be used by crew - could be mileage paid if crew owns vehicle)
    a. Photo Asst(s) Equipment Rental Pickup / Return
    b. Stylist / Stylist Asst(s) Shopping / Prep / Returns
    c. Location Scout
    d. Casting Director (i.e. Street Casting)
    e. Talent (especially if location is outside Manhattan)
    4. Trucking and Deliveries / Pickups (if not done by crew as may be appropriate)
    a. Product/ Merch (if not arranged by client)
    b. Equipment (Cameras / Computers / Lighting / Grip)
    b. Props / Wardrobe
    c. Couriers (client / crew production hard copy correspondence as may be appropriate)
    d. Catering Delivery / Pickup (often part of Catering Fee from caterer)

    • Misc

    1. Shipping (i.e. hard drives / merch / props to / from client)
    2. Gas / Tolls / Parking
    3. Copies / Printing/ Misc Office Expenses (i.e sundry call sheets / production books / other office correspondence
    4. Long Distance Phone Charges / Faxes

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    • InBaseline - The Industry’s TV and Movie Database | Sunday, 26 April 2009, 9:53 am
      InBaseline - The Industry’s TV and Movie Database #filmindustry #tv #directories #InBaseline
    • [Exit, Produced By A Bear] | Thursday, 16 April 2009, 5:38 pm
      [Exit, Produced By A Bear] #mediaproducers productionpeeps ####################
    • Judy Inc | Tuesday, 31 March 2009, 10:43 am
      Judy Inc | Fashion / Wardobe | Hair / Makeup | Off Figure / Product | Prop / Room Set | Food / Tabletop | Creative Services

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    Lightbox-NY

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    on December 19, 2007
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    Last edited: July 23, 2008
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    Mark McKennon and I recently had the opportunity to tour Lightbox-NY, a 10,000 sf rental studio / industrial location in the Bronx, on Barretto Street, in the Hunts Point area, in the building complex I have always known the Bronx Apparel Center.

    Lightbox-NY opened this past year and is owned and operated by local NYC location scouting legends David Appleson and Carl Bellavia.

    The space is unique in that it fills (at least a part of…) a current shortage of shoot-ready industrial aesthetic film locations in the New York City area. The space features a “raw” industrial interior with large, factory-typical windows and skylights as well as an accessible rooftop which includes a unique graphic element of the skylight’s shapes and the Bronx as a cityscape backdrop. Additionally, Lightbox-NY provides 10,000 sf more of production-wired raw studio space with potential for use as a propped, built-set sound stage for the local film production market.

    Best wishes and good luck to David and Carl on their venture and hopes we might have an opportunity to shoot at their space sometime soon! -RH

    Lightbox-NY - 841 Barretto St, Bronx, NY - 718-759-6419

    Lightbox-NY interior

    Lightbox-NY exterior - roof

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    New York State Filming / TV Incentives Kick In: Commercials Up Next?

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    on March 12, 2007
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    Last edited: August 6, 2008
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    Shoot Magazine (print edition) | or Seeking Deja Vu: N.Y. Looks To Fuel Spot Business (subscription required) | Commercial-making Incentives Hope To Mirror Success of N.Y. Feature Film / Television Program Tax Credits | By Robert Goldrich

    “February 23, 2007 — For Alan Suna, co-owner of Long Island City-headquartered Silvercup Studios, a New York stage facility mainstay, the success of the TV series pilot filming season bodes well for spot production in the Big Apple. Just as the upsurge in film and TV lensing, including pilots, has increased dramatically since New York’s feature/TV tax credits…”

    Tax incentive legislation enacted in New York at the state level beginning 2004-2005 has increased feature film and tv production significantly, but initially, somehow, the tv spot end of the industry was left out.

    All that is about to change, thanks to new tax incentives that include commercial production as well.

    On a local level, the New York City Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcast’s (MOFTB) “Made in New York” program, which includes tax incentives, a concierge service as well as additional vendor discounts and other perks has increased film production volume dramatically over the past two years, attracting $2.4 billion in new production business including a record number of tv pilots. Like the state’s original program, the city’s current tax incentives only include films and tv shows, however, the Mayor’s Office and New York City Council are presently considering a companion program to New York State’s new program that includes commercial production.

    For all of us in the film production business, including location scouts and location managers, ANY program, especially a tax incentive program that, according to figures per current programs in place quoted in the Shoot Online article generates $1.34 in increased overall income per $1.00 in tax incentives and generates new, increased business= a good thing! The overall local economy benefits as well, as film production relies on a myriad of local vendors not neccesarily always linked directly just to film production, including many areas of the hotel and hospitality industries and as “everyday” as hardware/building supplies, car services, dry cleaning and general retail to name just a few.

    Specifically regarding film location services, local property owners and the real estate industry benefit and in the case of studio filming there are benefits as additional studio space is leased to accommodate increased filming. The aforementioned Shoot article also quotes SilverCup Studios (Long Island City, NY) co-owner Alan Suna reporting that business volume has been sufficent enough for Silvercup to open SilverCup East and plans are in the works to open SilverCup west on the east bank of the East River in Long Island City. SilverCup is one the the New York City area’s largest film studio/sound stage businesses, regularly hosting studio shoots for many major motion pictures, television programs and commercials.

    Complete list of U.S. State’s film industry tax incentive programs (January 2007)

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    New York Location Scouts to Lose Scouting Tag Priveleges

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    on June 13, 2006
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    Last edited: August 5, 2008
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    MOFTB: Scouting Tag Program Discontinued

    “May 23, 2006- Effective June 30, 2006, the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting will no longer issue production scouting tags and all existing scouting tags will expire. Due to the success of the “Made in NY” tax incentive program, the City has accomplished its goal of attracting increased production business and employment for New Yorkers who work in the entertainment industry. In an effort to balance the needs of production and the communities in which they work, the MOFTB will no longer issue scouting tags. Easing the impact of parking upon neighborhoods will serve to keep locations film friendly, and allow the City to attract even more employment for our local entertainment professionals. The MOFTB will continue to issue tags to essential production vehicles with the shooting permit.”

    Cinematical | NYC Cuts Film Industry Perk | Posted Jun 13th 2006 8:01PM by Christopher Campbell | Filed under: Newsstand

    “Just when the city of New York is enjoying a surge in film production, hopefully cutting down on movies set in NYC but shot in Canada, a new decision is pissing off a lot of people in the movie business.”

    …read more…

    “The Reeler | Tag, You’re Out: NYC Location Scouts’ Parking Perks Revoked | June 13, 2006

    “AM New York’s Chuck Bennett today has the “latest” on the troubles affecting New York’s location scouts, whose liberal, city-sanctioned parking privileges will expire June 30–never to return. The news is kind of old–the Mayor’s Office for Film, Theater and Broadcasting made the announcement May 23–but in case you wanted to hear location scouts bitching on the record, here you go:”

    …read more…

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060614/ap_en_mo/film_scout_parking_2 (dead link) | By SARA KUGLER, Associated Press Writer Tue Jun 13, 8:11 PM ET

    “NEW YORK - Film scouts trolling New York City for its picturesque stoops and street corners won’t be free to park wherever they want now that officials are halting a special parking-permit program.”

    I was interviewed by phone today (but evidently, not quoted by name) by Sara Kugler from WABC-Radio in New York City. Here is some of what we discussed and points I tried to make:

    Looks like we location scouts might be losing our location scouting tag priveleges come July.

    “And what exactly is a location scouting tag privelege?”, you say?

    Well… upon completing a New York City filming permit application at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcast (MOFTB), requesting scouting tag(s) and approval of MOFTB, location scout(s), (for the duration of time allotted on the permit) have considerable leeway and freedom to park anywhere in the five boros in order to see locations with potential for use in their production.

    This is indeed a gift in a city the size and density of New York. Public parking is scarce at best and fraught with not only arcane parking restrictions, but sometimes those arcane parking restrictions are obscured further by the fact that the parking signs that contain those arcane parking restrictiction are, in fact, often absent, whether it be by theft/vandalism, perhaps having been in a spot where an auto accident occurred… there are a lot of reasons a parking sign could be missing in a town the size of NYC.

    The location scouting tag basically gives you the privelege to park wherever you can (with the intention of performing your duties as a location scout), provided you dont place human life in jeopardy (i.e. obvious no-no’s like parking in front of a firehouse driveway, or in an ambulance exitway) and be immune to the city’s ubiquitous “Brownies” (NYPD Traffic Enforcement) and the quite pricy parking citations they are employed to hand out (the last parking ticket I got some years back cost something like $85). If you receive a ticket, you turn it in with your scouting tag- it goes away.

    Doctors and foreign diplomats, as well as some members of the press (this could be an incomplete list) are eligible for many of these same priveleges.

    Alas, reports of abuses as well as the fact (per the excerpted article above) that the city has achieved its filming incentive goals combined with the undebatable fact that parking in New York is scarce in the first place may spell the end to scouting tag priveleges for NYC location scouts.

    I had a scouting tag once; I was working on a feature film, 9A several years go. The shooting schedule was tight, we were facing significant challenges regarding fulfilling locations required by the script, including scouting for night shots (at night) in what most would consider “less than desirable” parts of town; the scouting tag helped. A lot.

    Another argument for continuing the scouting tag privelege in NYC:

    New York is a world-class city. Some of the world’s most famous films (including tv shows, commercials, videos and photgraphs) have been made in NYC.

    As a location scout, one of the reasons you live in the NYC area is to have an opportunity to work on projects of this caliber.

    It is not unreal to assume that you could, in fact, find yourself driving around NYC (showing locations) in the same car together with an Oscar-winning director or acclaimed director of photography, a producer you just read about in a tabloid and a bazillion-dollar net-worth executive producer or financier, with the power between them to give the nod or say no to bringing $100 million or more in jobs or business to the city. (This is “economic development”. It’s good for cities. Production is good at that. And production doesnt pollute the air and water.) Anyway, I am sure you can see the motivation to let these people feel special and get their jobs done quickly and easily.

    In contrast, the film industry has changed a lot in the past few years, nowadays, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of smaller budget films in production in New York each year, thanks to the advent of the internet and digital imaging, which have effectively taken content distribution out of the hands of a few big-money players and put it into the hands of anyone with a passion to tell a story and can afford a camera, a crew, talent and their locations. Individually, these types of productions dont always spend that much, but as the sum of the parts, this group represents a sizable chunk of change in New York’s annual production income. It is this group that will be most affected by the scouting tag change, as they will have to figure into their budgets that their scouts will either have to pay for parking or for parking tickets. New York is already a fairly expensive town just to exist in, period; discontinuing the location scouting tag privelege could be one of many ways that production might have an incentive to go elsewhere. This is what is known as “runaway production”

    It’s a couple of more weeks till the scouting tag priveleges are scheduled to go away. It’s been good.

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    Movie Maker Magazine Article

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    R. Richard Hobbs
    on May 22, 2006
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    Last edited: October 13, 2008
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    Note: The following is a draft of “Securing A Great Location”, published in Moviemaker Magazine’s 2005 Beginner’s Guide To Making Movies

    MovieMaker Magazine | Securing a Great Location | By © R. Richard Hobbs 2004

    Chances are, before too much time goes by, you, as a film maker, will be forced to reckon with venturing out of the cozy, controllable confines of a studio/soundstage and into that great wild beyond known as a location.

    If you are a director, your job, (among a plethora of other tasks, of course!), is to think of creative ways to bring a story to life visually.

    If, like me, you are a part of the locations department (location scout and/or location manager), your job is to help the creative team toward this end, and while hopefully thinking equally as creatively and presenting actual real-world location possibilities, at the same time you are obligated to pay quite a bit more attention to the practicality, logistics and nuts and bolts of actually pulling the shot off at the location(s) you might suggest and following up on same.

    Depending on your budget and/or method of working, even though your title may be Director, Assistant Director, Production Manager or even Executive Producer, you may be required to deal with some of the issues yourself that by rights are normally the Locations Department’s; in any case a little “cross-training ;-) ” and insight into what some of the other crew does cant be any less than a good thing!

    All this said, my story will attempt to offer some useful information toward securing the perfect location from the locations department’s point of view.

    As mentioned before, (the aesthetics aspects notwithstanding), there are a number of practical aspects to consider when choosing a location. What follows is by no means complete, but here are a few items in no special order:

    Does the location you are considering work from all technical & logistical points of view? Some questions to ask yourself:

    Where will I put all those trucks and people?

    Is there room for (if not normally legal, then permitted) parking? It is imperative that you or someone from your crew scout the area adjacent to the set beforehand to make sure there is room and to be sure that room is not in front of a hydrant, fire department or bus stop, etc.

    If parking is “tight “ (in high demand) you need to be sure that parking will in fact exist when your crew arrives! Having a permit to park there is one thing, actually “owning” the parking space(s) is another! (As we all know possession is 99% of the law;-)

    In New York City (where I work) there are specialists called Parking Coordinators or Coneheads (for the orange cones they put out). Hire them.

    You need to be sure you can meet the electrical requirements of your shoot. Be sure there is sufficient house power or you can get your genny truck close enough, and be sure you have sufficient electrical cable in any case!

    Is there holding? (a comfortable place to “hold” people while they are not on set) If you are using SAG actors, a requirement is that they have a separate, private area for changing clothes. Be sure there is air conditioning or heat if the weather requires it!

    Does the location work logistically?

    Be careful with scheduling! If you are shooting a scene on one side of town in the morning and it takes an hour to drive to the second set, another hour to set up and then an hour of shooting, you are probably already into meal penalties. Try to find locations close to each other when scheduling scenes to be shot/ talent on call on the same day.

    Is there room to work?

    The most gorgeous room in the world is useless is there is not enough room to get the camera/dolly/lights/actors in there for the angles needed to make the shot.

    What if it rains?

    Do you have a “Plan B” in your pocket? Be careful with weather and cancellations of locations, talent and equipment. It can get expensive.

    Is there light there?

    Is there the correct lighting for the mood you are trying to achieve (or can you make it?) A location can look significantly different on a cloudy day from the day you scouted it and there was daylight streaming thru the branches casting patterns on the ground!

    Are you absolutely sure you have permission to be there?

    Does the owner understand that it won’t just be someone with a camcorder stopping by for a few moments? We become so used to our own world that it sometimes ceases to occur to us that people outside the film industry most often have (or have any reason to have an) inkling about what is actually involved in making a film. You need to be straightforward and accurate about all those trucks, equipment and people that will be showing up for 12-14 hours.

    You should have also prepared in advance a synopsis of the story and the specific scene(s) you are shooting and explain this in detail to the owner. Sure, we love our story, but everybody has their own views and what seems perfectly normal to us may seem controversial or blatantly offensive to someone else (for no apparent reason to us) yet it is they that will have to live with being associated with the film. This is a very large, diverse, very politically correct world we live in today!

    You should always use a property release form and get it signed by the location owner. A property release, in a nutshell, is written permission for you to depict a property to the public on film. Without it, you may leave yourself open to claims of invasion of privacy or other damages. Just do a Google for “property release”, there are standard forms around you can use.

    You should always find out beforehand if there are any local or municipal permits or fees required where you are filming and comply fully with those requirements. A local film office, the city clerk or police department for a given municipality should be able to tell you what, if any filming permit requirements may exist.

    Q: What could suck worse than finding out you don’t have time or money for a permit? A: Getting your production shut down in mid-shoot because you don’t have a permit.

    There a few other general suggestions I might offer that may help you in your quest for the perfect location:

    Never underestimate the power of a film office!

    Local film offices are some of the most underutilized FREE resources available to film makers. A film commission can get you “in” places you could never touch on your own. They have the credibility of being associated with government plus can be an advocate for your project! They can be a godsend if you are filming outside your home turf- They most often have listings of local crew and location ideas for you. They know the local customs and any permit requirements that may exist! Be nice to film offices!

    If you want to find out if there is a film office in your area try here first: www.afci.org

    Leave time for permitting/getting permissions

    I can’t begin to tell how many great locations have been aborted (or lost!) because there was insufficient time allowed to get permission or secure permits. This malady seems to especially afflict film makers just starting out for some reason (?).

    Q: Hey, can you get me and my crane on a rooftop in NYC to shoot tonite?

    A: Sorry, ain’t gonna happen, bubba.

    If time is tight one option may be to use a location agency. These are people/companies (often scouts or location managers) that have an archive of existing pictures of locations that have often been previously used (or scouted and not used for one reason or another) Sometimes time can be saved this way, but don’t expect miracles- permissions must still be obtained and fees negotiated on your behalf.

    Do you have insurance?

    I personally won’t go on a shoot or book locations for a production without insurance. You should have a minimum $1,000,000 (standard now actually seems to be $2,000,000) commercial liability policy that allows for additional insurance of third parties. If you are using payroll and have employees then you should have workmen’s comp. Some locations require proof of this.

    Use the right tool for the job!

    You wouldn’t use a screwdriver to drive in a nail (or maybe you would ;-) ! Anyway, hire a location scout/manager! We are there for u!

    Adios, good luck and p.s. please invite me to the Oscar Party!

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    Wikipedia Location Scouting

    Published
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    R. Richard Hobbs
    on May 22, 2006
    in content
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    Last edited: July 14, 2008
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    Location Scouting / Wikipedia

    “Location Scouting is a vital process in the pre-production stage of filmmaking and commercial photography. Once scriptwriters, producers or directors have decided what general kind of scenery they require for the various parts of their work that is shot outside of the studio, a search is begun for a suitable place or “location” outside the studio. Location scouts will also look for appropriately spectacular or interesting locations beforehand, to have a database of locations in case of requests.

    Location scouts are also often tasked with negotiating legal access to filming locations.”

    …read the rest…

  • Note: I started this article and contribute to it regularly.
  • I also started and regularly contribute to Location Library on Wikipedia
  • Wikipedia-n-Me

    • …elsewhere on nyc.locationscout.us:

  • Wikipedia / Location Manager
  • Wikipedia / Location Library
  • Wikipedia / Filming Location
  • Wikipedia / Film Producer
  • Wikipedia / Film Production (Film Making)
    • feed Location scouting - Revision history

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