Location manager

As a location manager, your job is to find - often referred to as 'scouting' - the perfect location to film a TV show or movie. Productions are made in a range of places, so you'll need to research, identify, and organise access to appropriate sites.

As well as arranging and negotiating site use, the role usually includes managing the location throughout the shooting process. This involves supervising crew, organising transportation, working to strict budgetary and time limits, and maintaining a high standard of health and safety, as well as security.

The demands of organising crews and dealing with a variety of people make this an intense and varied career. However, it’s one of the most important roles when it comes to producing TV and film, which can be exciting, creative, and rewarding.

Responsibilities

As a location manager, you'll need to:

• assess and interpret scripts or storyboards to get an understanding of the location required prior to filming (known as 'pre-production')
• meet with the director and designer to discuss projects, and work to their creative visions
• collate ideas and undertake research, using resources such as the internet, specialist location libraries, local and regional film commissions, and agencies
• hire support staff, such as a location scout and location assistant
• visit and photograph sites within budget to decide on their suitability
• understand laws around access, trespassing, and public liability
• make preliminary enquiries regarding access, parking, and location use, including arranging permits via local authorities and the police
• negotiate access and draw up a contract with location owners
• negotiate the best prices for access to facilities
• research practical information and logistics for potential places to film, making bookings and travel arrangements where appropriate, including flights, hotels, and transportation
• liaise with key members of the production team to assess visual and technical specifications
• ensure no disruptive noises or events are likely to occur during the shoot
• schedule crew arrival dates and times, and keep everyone informed
• ensure the technical specifications for equipment, power sources, and crew accommodation on-site are met
• ensure compliance with health, safety, and security requirements, and undertake risk assessments
• distribute maps and directions to locations, often known as 'movement orders' to ensure all services and crews reach the locations as directly, safely, and quickly as possible
• provide relevant support information to all services and crew
• arrange schedules for the day with the assistant director
• manage the location during filming and resolve practical or people-related issues as they arise
• supervise location support staff throughout production
• keep members of the public and those without permissions away from the location during filming
• ensure the final clearing up (known as the 'wrap') runs smoothly and thank site owners at the end of the production.

Salary

• While rates vary widely, the average salary for a location manager is around £32,000 to £37,000 for more entry level positions.
• With experience, you can expect to earn in the region of £40,000.
• Most location managers work as freelancers and are paid on a contract basis. They may charge roughly £230 per day, depending on experience, the type of production, and reputation.

Many enter the career as an assistant manager or location scout, so would start on a lower salary.

Location managers working on major television dramas or feature films can expect to earn more than those working on low-budget productions. The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union (BECTU) has recommended ratecards for location managers in film and television. has recommended ratecards for location managers in film and television.

Location managers working on photographic ('stills') shoots collaborate with smaller crews but also take on the role of producer. Their rates of pay are therefore higher, but photography shoots are less governed by unions, so there is greater variation in rates.

Income information is intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Work levels vary seasonally, with winter traditionally being a quiet period and summer being the busiest.

On filming days, the location manager is normally the first to arrive and the last to leave, so hours are often long and unsocial. Due to the need for constant availability during production, part-time work is rare.

What to expect

• Work is often outdoors, so it's important to be adaptable to all kinds of environments and weather conditions.
• Location managers work under pressure. They are often required to find sites in a short period of time, foreseeing problems and responding quickly when issues arise.
• Work is usually offered on the basis of recognition or recommendation, so you need to maintain a network of contacts, as well as build up your experience and reputation.
• The role often involves dealing with members of the public who accidentally walk onto film sets, or neighbours who are concerned about noise or access, so community liaison is likely to be a key part of your day.
• Spending time away from home is common, as location managers need to visit many potential sites where they will then be based for the duration of shooting.
• Employment is only available in restricted locations. The irregular nature of the work may lead to periodic relocation and financial insecurity. There may be opportunities abroad for experienced and established location managers. It's also important to note that if a film or television production is set in a particular town, city, or even country, it won't necessarily be shot there.

Qualifications

You can become a location manager with a degree in any subject, but the most relevant courses are those related to media or production, such as:

• communication or media studies
• design for film and television
• film and television production
• media or broadcast production
• photography.

It's important to make sure that any course you're considering offers the appropriate training. ScreenSkills, the skills body for screen-based creative industries, has a list of courses available at various levels that they fund, as well as courses offered by other providers. Entry without an academic qualification is possible, but you'll need to demonstrate knowledge of, and commitment to, the media industry. Finding volunteer work at film events and music events, such as festivals where you manage sites, facilities, and crowds, is useful.

You may also be able to find a location manager role following an apprenticeship in film or television, although these are hard to come by.

Skills

You need to show evidence of the following:

• excellent organisational, planning, and timekeeping skills
• good budgeting skills, as well as the ability to negotiate
• dependability
• excellent communication skills, including being able to work with a diverse range of people
• leadership abilities, in order to manage the location team and different aspects of the project
• adaptability, so you can deal with external factors when organising the environment required for the shoot
• good administrative skills
• community liaison know-how and a diplomatic approach to persuade people as situations demand
• a passable knowledge of architectural styles
• for specific jobs, a strong knowledge of where filming will take place
• knowledge of health and safety regulations
• knowledge of trespassing and access laws
• the ability to problem solve and think laterally
• artistic and creative awareness, as well as competence as a photographer
• a good sense of direction and local knowledge
• stamina to cope with working long hours and under pressure
• a full driving licence and preferably ownership of a vehicle.

Work experience

To be a location manager, you'll likely need some pre-entry experience, and it's advisable to have some understanding and knowledge of media production. Get involved with film, video, or photography activities at university, gaining some work experience that way.

You may be able to find a role as a location assistant or runner to build up your skillsets and get your name out there. You could also volunteer at festivals and events.

Initially, you're more likely to find opportunities in general production support than in location management. Try large organisations, as well as smaller production companies. The BBC offers taster days as part of their Get In taster experiences, with opportunities for short, paid placements.

The Production Guild of Great Britain runs relevant courses, including Scouting for Location Managers, which is a day course on how to find good locations.

Independent cinemas host special screenings of television or film productions that are sometimes followed by Q&A sessions with writers, directors, and producers. These represent a chance to gain useful insight into what happens before, during, and after a shoot. Check monthly programmes in advance, as tickets will be limited.

Vacancies are not usually advertised, so be creative about looking for an opening as a location assistant or scout. Send your skills-based CV to as many production companies as possible and always follow up with a phone call or email.

Some established, freelance location managers take on assistants. Directories listing such possibilities are available, including:

• Kays
• Screen Global Production
• The Knowledge Online

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

The film and TV industry in the UK is made up of the following types of organisations, which are the usual employers of location managers:

• independent production companies
• post-production and facilities houses
• community film and video projects
• film companies.

There are a variety of projects for which location managers are needed, including:

• corporate
• educational
• entertainment
• advertising
• music videos
• television programmes and trailers.

Broadcasting companies usually commission freelance location managers. These are contracted to provide services for a specific programme, but there are also very limited opportunities to work in-house, where drama or light entertainment programmes are the most common sources of employment.

Various genres, such as factual, news, or current affairs, may incorporate location management functions within their own production team.

Film companies and independent production companies usually recruit location managers for individual productions but are most likely to appoint those with experience and a good reputation.

Location managers and scouts also work within specialist agencies and companies that provide services to television and other studios.

Look for job vacancies at:

• The Mandy Network
• ProductionBase
• The Production Guild - has an availability service for members, which informs the industry about your experience, credits, and when you are available for work.

You can make speculative applications and should use industry directories to identify location managers and companies.

Professional development

Most of your training will be completed on the job, as there is limited formal training for location managers. You will be largely responsible for taking the initiative in identifying and following up on relevant training and development.

The Production Guild runs the Assistant Location Manager course, which is aimed at those already working in location departments, but are looking for the next step up.

The course includes practical on-set learning, online and classroom sessions, and mentor support. You may also consider the Budgeting for Assistant Location Managers course.

Training in production management may be useful to location managers, as some of the skills used in these fields can overlap.

Other sources of relevant training opportunities include:

• BBC Academy - has a production department and offers advice, information, and training.
• ScreenSkills - offers lots of useful guidance and information about developing your career, while also listing current courses you can book. Some bursaries are available.
• National Film and Television School (NFTS) - runs short courses, as well as Masters, diplomas, and certificate-level qualifications in various areas of television and film production.

Members of The Production Guild and BECTU have opportunities to network and share good practice.

Maintaining and developing basic photography and video skills is also useful. Location managers working on stills shoots generally train with one or two photographers over a period of time. This allows them to gain experience and knowledge of photographers' technical requirements.

It's helpful to maintain up to date knowledge of issues relating to health and safety by attending short courses. Public liability and legal contractual matters are other aspects to consider, especially as working with local authorities and the police requires knowledge of procedures and bylaws.

Career prospects

Developing a career in location management takes time, as finding work often depends on industry contacts. Making yourself known to production companies and working flexibly but professionally is a key part of early career progression.

In film or television location work, it's common for students or graduates to get experience as a runner, assistant director, or camera person in production. Specifically, they can go into location running.

A common career progression route is for a runner to move on to location assistant, location scout or, in larger productions, unit manager and eventually location manager.

Showing that you're willing to get involved, are prepared to work hard and undertake basic tasks, and that you have good problem-solving ability will all help you progress.

It's more common to progress from small productions to larger and more ambitious projects.

As projects vary from one-day shoots for a pop video or commercial advertisement to major feature films, this aspect of the work offers great scope for the development of a location management career. With experience, it's possible to move into a specific area, such as drama or advertising.

Some location managers set up their own company or agency, either independently or with other professionals. Others go on to work for location companies or become producers, directors, or production designers.

There are also rare opportunities to work in-house for film or production companies. New opportunities in roles such as film officer - which is a more administrative role, where you may be promoting films - are also developing within regional agencies.