Filming is about control, and production teams do so much work into ensuring the conditions they are filming in are as controlled as possible.
This is part of the reason why working in a production studio is so popular; the stage is designed with filming in mind, meaning that audio and visual elements are completely within the control of the filmmakers.
However, there is no substitute for the gritty grounded feel of a real physical location, and location shooting has been a critical part of filmmaking for as long as cameras have been even slightly portable, powered by hired generators.
Here are some top tips for making location filming as hassle-free as possible.
Scout Smartly
The most important part of a location shoot happens long before any cameras, lights or generators are taken to a location and any footage is shot.
Checking out potential locations, scouting them and ensuring they make logistical sense for you is massively important and involved, but also is mostly about ensuring that the most basic elements that could affect your project are covered.
Is the location appropriate for the scenes you wish to film there? When can you access it, and what facilities are nearby that you can use instead of having to bring your own? What is the weather like?
Visit anywhere that has potential and listen out for potential noises that could interrupt filming, as well as the types of lighting you already have to work with. Whilst you might not be able to do a full lighting test, it does give you an idea of the equipment you may need.
Take lots of photographs and make lots of notes.
Have A Plan For Changeable Conditions
If you are shooting outdoors, make sure you have a contingency plan for several potential eventualities, and give yourself more time than you think you need.
Shooting in the UK, in particular, is putting yourself at the mercy of famously changeable weather conditions, that can go from heatwave-level midsummer sun to a torrential downpour and back again in the space of a few minutes.
This means that irrespective of the season you are shooting in, you need a plan for all seasons, need to pack protective gear for cameras and lighting rigs and have a shelter in place for your cast and crew.
By all means track the weather and aim to maximise your chances of perfect conditions but also look into what you can do if you do not get them. Can the scene be altered to match the climate?
Can you make adjustments in post-production to make a freezing-cold beach look like a summer holiday?
Get Permission Wherever Possible And Clean Up After
Be a conscientious crew. If you are shooting in a building or on land with a clear owner, get in touch with the facilities manager and explain what you need. They can sometimes help out, but they can certainly prevent any potential major problems from emerging.
Beyond that, try to leave no trace of your crew. Clean up any mess, do not damage the location with your equipment and generally do what you can to avoid leaving problems for your gracious hosts.