Overview of the role
The location manager finds and manages locations for productions. In unscripted television these might be external locations, internal rooms or buildings and studios. They research and assess potential locations that match the production brief as well as meeting practical requirements such as cost, accessibility and safety. They arrange recces, negotiate permissions and contracts and obtain any official permits that are required. They also organise the logistics for using locations, enabling all departments to work safely and effectively.
Once shooting starts, location managers manage the location. They make sure everyone, crew and participants, know how to get there. They negotiate parking, noise reduction, power sources and catering requirements. They ensure the location is safe and secure as well as managing the location budget. On bigger budget productions they may work to a location head of department or a supervising manager and they may have a location assistant reporting to them. On other productions they work alone.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities in a particular job will vary depending on the scale / budget band / genre of production.
- Discuss the location requirements and brief with the director, production designer and other department heads
- Research possible locations that meet the brief
- Scout locations under consideration, taking photographs, videos and detailed notes
- Identify the required permissions, licences and any other logistical issues with the locations
- Negotiate any fees and identify all costs associated with each location
- Arrange for designer and director to recce the locations shortlisted
- Assess traffic management requirements, environmental implications and locations with specific needs, such as historic properties
- Agree use of locations with owners and prepare contracts for their use
- Check insurance, risk assessments and signed contracts are in place
- Organise parking facilities for technical vehicles, equipment, crew, participants and suppliers
- If necessary, liaise with local residents, organising resident meetings and consultations
- Confirm the nature of filming with the local authority, police and local residents and businesses and obtain permission for any parking suspensions or road closures
- Organise location security, signage and barriers
- Develop contingency plans to deal with issues, including environment and last-minute schedule changes
- Collaborate with own and other departments to check requirements, update plans and communicate changes to scheduled activities
- Create and securely store health and safety files and other certifications and production information
- Provide specific requirements and access for those with differing needs
- Identify resources required for each stage of filming and ensure they are sourced and supplied in time and within budget
- Make sure signs are in position and security positions and locations are secure
- Oversee systems to control access and escort visitors
- Provide for access or special needs requirements
- Monitor and record any breaches in security
- Pack and return equipment and materials after use
- Identify and report any damage to locations
- Coordinate location department team on set, where applicable
- Maintain line of dialogue with location owner about any developments or changes
- Collect and copy signed contracts, location releases and other legal documents
- Reinstate locations to their former condition
- Follow up with location owners, dealing with any complaints or insurance claims
Skills
Check out role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the role of location manager.
- Identifying and assessing locations against the production brief
- Having an eye for different spaces and the ability to visualise how a location could work for particular production needs
- Taking good photographs of locations to present to the rest of the production team
- Planning and implementing logistics for equipment and people
- Not getting lost: having a good sense of direction and the ability to read maps
- Being legally aware; knowing how to comply with public liability, trespass, public highway and health and safety legislation
- Able to communicate sensitively with location owners and members of the public
- Critical analysis: able to look at a situation and predict the pitfalls
- Communication: interpreting others’ requirements of locations and communicating to staff and colleagues
- Research: finding locations that meet production requirements
- Negotiation: agreeing location conditions of use and costs with location owners and contract terms with staff and suppliers
- Managing costs: managing location department budget
- Planning: planning practical requirements for locations to meet production needs
- Problem-solving: contingency planning and resolving issues with locations so that productions remain on schedule
- Management and leadership: building a good team, securing resources and managing crew and suppliers of the location department during production
- Resilience, enthusiasm and curiosity: adapts positively to changing work priorities and patterns, ensuring deadlines continue to be met. Proactive and explores new ideas and non-standard ways of working which will enhance and deliver the best results for the production
- Productivity: organises work effectively and achieves required results within deadlines. Demonstrates the drive and energy to get things done in pressurised situations and escalates appropriately when necessary
- Ethics and integrity: honest and principled in all their actions and interactions. Respectful and inclusive of others, and meets the ethical requirements of their profession
- Flexibility: willing to both listen and learn and to accept changing priorities and working requirements and has the flexibility to maintain high standards in a changing production environment