Film Locations: A Guide to Choosing the Best Locations for Your Film

A successful shoot starts long before the camera is turned on. Locations shape everything, from performance and blocking to lighting, sound, and schedule. Yet location planning is often rushed or handled informally, which is where problems creep in. The Filmmaking Planner is designed to bring ease and clarity to the process, helping you scout, recce, and prepare locations in a structured, reliable way.

By using the Location Scouting and Location Recce pages together, you create a clear workflow that improves organisation, saves time, and allows you to solve problems before they impact your shoot.

Step 1: Use the Location Scouting page to narrow your options

The Location Scouting page is your first filter. Its purpose is not to lock decisions in, but to help you compare options clearly and objectively.

Start by listing the script location—what the story needs emotionally and practically. Then record potential actual locations that could realistically serve that purpose. This simple separation keeps creative intention and practical reality from getting muddled.

As you scout, fill in contact details, websites, and estimated costs straight away. This prevents the common issue of “great location, no idea how to reach them.” Even if you don’t book the location, you’ll have a useful record for future projects.

By the end of this stage, you should have a short list of locations that:

Only then should you move on to a recce.

Step 2: Treat the Location Recce page as a checklist, not a form

The Location Recce page works best when you treat it as a guided walkthrough of the location. Take the planner with you on the recce and complete it on site rather than from memory to ensure you are getting the most accurate information. You can do this with whichever method suits you best, whether you want the physical planner with you, or to use the digital planner on your phone or tablet to take with you on the go.

Begin with the basics: site specifics, shoot purpose, and availability. This anchors the location within the context of your project and forces you to confirm dates and access clearly.

From there, work through the practical sections methodically:

Access:How do cast and crew enter the space? Are there stairs, lifts, narrow corridors, or security restrictions?

Consider the equipment you will need to bring with you. Lighting, sound and camera departments all need space to manoeuvre and set up - often large equipment - in these locations. Don't forget a space with lighting and outlets for hair and makeup, as well as a green room away from the chaos for actors to prepare in.

Parking:Is parking nearby, limited, paid, or time-restricted?

Take into consideration the tech vehicles that will need access close to the location, including a props van and shuttle bus, as these will be parked on site throughout the day. Then there is the transport that will come and go throughout the day; Crew running errands, actors being dropped off, lunch being delivered. You want to consider where these vehicles will be parked to ensure that people moving about won't be blocked in, as rearranging on the day will cost you precious time.

Power supply:Are there accessible outlets? Will you need extensions or generators?

Don't be afraid to ask! If you aren't familiar with how much power you will need or where these outlets should be located, don't be afraid to lean on your team. Get in contact with the HODs in your crew and ask how many outlets they need, how long the cables they have are and what else they'd require to give you a complete picture of the requirements you're looking for in each location. This way you won't be caught out by any surprises that require problem-solving on the day.

Toilets and food:Are facilities available on site, or will alternatives be needed?

These features are not deal breakers if the location does not have them, however you need to be aware of it in advance as providing these facilities additionally will cost extra, which needs to be taken into consideration when looking at budgeting. You may think one location is the cheapest options, but if you have to add toilets, a kitchen, generators and parking on top of that, it could end up being more expensive than an alternative location which has all these features included.

Step 3: Use photos to support decision-making and communication

The photo sections on the recce page are not just for reference—they are tools for planning. Take wide shots to show space and layout, and closer shots to highlight textures, windows, light sources, and problem areas.

When paired with written notes, these images allow you to:

Step 4: Identify limitations early and plan around them

No location is perfect. The value of the recce page lies in identifying limitations while you still have choices.

Sections like lighting, space, safety issues, and suitability prompt you to think critically. Is the space too small for your intended shot list? Does natural light change dramatically during the day? Are there noise issues, public access concerns, or hazards?

Writing these down turns vague worries into solvable problems. You may adjust the schedule, modify shots, bring additional equipment, or rethink how a scene is staged. The key is that these decisions happen calmly, not under pressure.

Step 5: Use the planner to support scheduling and crew preparation

Once your recce is complete, the information feeds directly into scheduling. Knowing access times, availability, and setup requirements helps you build realistic call times and shooting orders.

The planner also becomes a shared reference point. Instead of repeating explanations, you can refer crew members to specific notes and images. This keeps everyone aligned and reduces time lost to confusion.

Step 6: Build experience through repetition

Each completed scouting and recce page becomes a record of experience. Over time, you’ll start to recognise patterns—what questions to ask sooner, what locations tend to cause issues, and what compromises are worth making.

This is how the planner supports growth as well as organisation. It turns each project into preparation for the next.

Good Luck!

Running a smooth location scout and recce isn’t about perfection - it’s about preparation. These planner pages guide you through the process step by step, helping you think clearly, plan realistically, and walk onto set with confidence.

Which templates will help me the most?

If you're looking to get started with some simple organisation for your location scouting, then the Filmmaking Planner includes a checklist for what and who you should bring as well as look out for, and the easy organisation system for locations. If you're looking for the full system to carry out an in-depth recce of everything you should be looking for, then the Ultimate Film Organiser includes those additional location recce pages to make sure you don't miss a detail and keep your crew happy on the day. Both planners are available in hardback or digital editions.

When your locations are properly scouted and recced, the shoot runs more smoothly, the crew works more efficiently, and you have more space to focus on what really matters: telling the story.

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