Introduction to high-end TV location management

Do you have an interest in working in the UK’s booming television industry?  A key role in high-end TV is the role of location manager, which involves finding and organising filming at all of the locations that have been written into the script.

To help you explore and develop a potential career in this important department, ScreenSkills has launched a free introduction to high-end television location management training and placement programme. The programme is supported by the ScreenSkills High-End TV Skills Fund with contributions from UK high-end TV productions and will be delivered by Screen Yorkshire.

The programme will start with an online introduction detailing the work of the location manager and how their role fits into the wider production of television drama. 

After the introduction, applications will be open for 20 places on an in-depth training course whcih will put you in the shoes of a location manager, researching and presenting some location finds to an experienced high-end TV director and production designer.

Following the course, 11 placements will be available on high-end television dramas throughout the UK. 

Who it's for

The role of location manager takes creative flair, lateral thinking, resilience and strong organisation and communication skills. In addition to being a potential department career switch for those already working in the industry, the role may suit someone from an events management, music festival or travelling theatre organisational background looking for a change of direction in their career.

Numerous location managers currently working in the industry have come from military backgrounds too, so we welcome applications from former armed-forces personnel.

Course Leader Richard Knight from Screen Yorkshire (himself a former location manager) said: “having run this course several times in the past few years, we know that ScreenSkills’ Introduction to high-end TV| location management programme has worked well, really well. Many former course participants are now enjoying rewarding careers in the industry all over the UK. Nevertheless, the demand for new staff in the location department appears to be insatiable, so we’re delighted to be delivering the course again. If you’ve ever considered a career in high-end TV locations, you can join the overview session and enjoy a whistlestop tour of the role. Then, if you like what you see, there’ll be the chance to apply for the in-depth training and really get to grips with location scouting and management in a series of interactive sessions based entirely around the locations you find. Rounding off this particular course, we’re adding a brand-new session on the practicalities of day one in the department - and further career progression - which will feature fresh and informative contributions from previous participants.  I can’t wait to meet you all online.” 

This programme is open to anyone with a right to work in the UK who is interested in working in the television drama locations department.

What it covers

The introduction will be a two-hour online session (with breaks), detailing the work of the location manager and how their role fits into the wider production of television drama.

Kristian Vanpe, who participated on the February 2022 Introduction to high-end TV location management course said: “I really enjoyed the Screenskills course. It gave me good insight into what being part of the locations team was like. I never thought about locations and was unaware that it was a position in the industry but I immediately fell in love with it.  

"After landing my 12 week placement with Disney+ through Screenskills, I was asked to stay on for the remainder of the project. I have been promoted from trainee to location assistant and now to assistant unit manager.  

"After struggling for months to get into the industry, and changing my career later in life, this course has been invaluable." 

Jenna Robertson also took part on the February 2022 course. She added: “The Introduction to high-end TV location management training course was excellent and has proven to be very beneficial to me.   

"Through the course, I secured a placement as a location trainee working on ITV's Vera.  The placement allowed me to put into practice what I had learned, and it has been great getting to see how the locations department supports the entire production.  

"Following on from my role as a trainee, I have secured a more permanent role as location assistant on the drama and look forward to further progression of my career in the industry."

How to apply

Click ‘book now’ to confirm your place on the introduction session: you must login or register before you are able to complete your booking.  

Applications for the in-depth training course will open at the end of the overview session.