The Right Place at the Right Time

Scouting locations ahead of time is a great way to avoid last-minute surprises and big headaches on the day of your shoot.

Consider this: a scene in your short film takes place in a coffee shop. You know you could never pass off your living room as the local java joint, so you decide to shoot that scene on location. It's time to hit the road and find the right spot. There are several elements to keep in mind:

Identify Your Power Source

Power outlets are essential for lights, batteries or other equipment. For such important elements, these power sources are easily overlooked. As you scout the location, ask yourself:

  • Are there enough outlets that work?
  • Are outlets close enough to where you'll set up lights and camera? If not, how many extension cords will you need?
  • Are the outlets grounded?
  • Can the location handle the wattage of all of your equipment without tripping a breaker?

If you plan to use a generator, make sure you can place it far enough away that it won't cause audio issues or create a safety hazard. For an event video, plugging into an outlet may not be an option, When scouting, look for out-of-the-way outlets for recharging a spare batt…

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