Identifies how many locations are needed, where they should be, and how long they will be used for TV and film shoots — all to support the creative vision of the director and production designer.
Videos on the Web
- Location Manager- from: Youtube Search
Working Life
The Location Manager plays a very important role in any production. Their role involves liaising with the director and production designer to find the best filming locations to help them realise their creative vision.
Location Managers collaborate closely with the director and production designer.
The Department includes a:
- Location Manager
- Assistant Location Manager
- Trainee
The location manager identifies and photographs location options; negotiates and is responsible for issues such as permitting, insurance, and certain copyright issues; and manages all logistical issues in relation to the shooting location.
This includes ensuring that the location is safe, accessible, and suitable for shooting requirements, including considerations such as noise and light.
The locations manager is responsible for health & safety on set, so awareness of these issues is important.
It also helps to have good photography skills, a keen eye for the unusual, and an ability to spot potential and think laterally.
A full clean driver’s license and own car is essential.
Role and Responsibilities
- Scout, identify, and find suitable locations for a film or TV production.
- Thoroughly research the logistics involved in choosing a wide range of shooting locations and work within tight budget constraints.
- Be prepared for any logistical challenges at each location and keep the crew informed.
- Work within strict health and safety guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety.
- Responsibilities include organising access and permission to use locations, negotiating with location owners or local authorities, and signing contracts with them.
Works with
- Director
- Producer
- Production Manager
- Other Heads of Department
Qualities - Location Manager
Is this role right for me?
You should be a quick and creative thinker, excellent communicator, great at dealing with the public, very organised, and have some understanding and appreciation of the natural and built environment.
For this role, you need:
Excellent managerial and communication skills to work with crew efficiently to scheduled and budget.
Ability to understand the director’s creative vision for the project and have the knowledge and research skills to properly target and source the locations required.
Ability to multi-task, manage a team and delegate and interact with other departments.
Extensive knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation and procedures.
Experience to know how various locations might work logistically and in terms of budget.
Strong financial and budgeting abilities and an ability to plan in advance, including a legal understanding of contractual requirements specific to each location.
Interests - Location Manager
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Entry / Progression - Location Manager
Education Route: Relevant health and safety training is essential if you wish to excel in this role.
Career Path to Location Manager: There are no usual career paths for the locations manager. A location manager will often have worked their way through the location department, starting as a locations trainee. Years of experience working in the location department is vital to this role.
Career Path from Location Manager: Supervising Location Manager, Production Manager, Line Producer.
