Location manager
Location managers are responsible for making all the practical arrangements for film or photographic shoots taking place outside the studio. Productions are made in a wide range of places and location managers need to research, identify and organise access to appropriate sites.
As well as arranging and negotiating site use, the role usually includes managing sites throughout the shooting process. This involves working to strict budgetary and time limits and maintaining a high standard of health and safety and security. The demands of organising crews and dealing with a range of people make this an intense and varied role.
A location manager's role follows a sequence of activities from pre-planning to the completion stages of a production. Typical activities include:
For an overview of typical work activities and some of the challenges a location manager may encounter see Location Works - How to Become a Location Manager .
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree, HND or foundation degree in a subject related to communication or media studies, or photography, film or television, may increase your chances.
Entry without an academic qualification is common, but all applicants should be able to demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to the media industry. Doing a course that involves film or media production experience may be useful, but it is important to ensure that courses offer appropriate training. You can get details of courses and funding sources from Creative Skillset: The Sector Skills Council for the Creative Industries . The Skillset/BFI course database also provides details of media courses and course providers.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following skills:
Pre-entry experience is likely to be required and it is advisable to have some understanding and knowledge of media production, so get involved with film, video or photography activities at university and try to get some work experience. Initially, you are more likely to find opportunities for experience in general production support than specifically in location management support. The BBC, via BBC Jobs , runs a number of work experience placements each year.
You can get details from Skillset about the new entrant training scheme, which can provide routes into media, as well as the opportunity to make industry contacts.
Independent cinemas host special screenings of television or film productions that are sometimes followed by Q&A sessions with writers, directors and producers who can give an insight into what happens before, during and after a shoot. Check monthly programmes in advance as tickets will be limited.
The Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematographic and Theatre Union (BECTU) runs regional networking and skills events which are free to attend and incorporate workshops and career-focused one-to-ones with industry professionals.
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 visit. Some established freelance location managers take on assistants. The regional film agencies (RFAs) around the UK hold 'availability' databases of freelancers. For a list of English RFAs, see Creative Skillset: The Sector Skills Council for the Creative Industries . See also the Highlands of Scotland Film Commission , Northern Ireland Screen and Wales Screen Commission . There are also websites for those seeking opportunities in all aspects of production.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
There are limited formal training opportunities related to location management. It is mainly the responsibility of individuals to take the initiative in identifying and following up relevant training. The Skillset/BFI course database lists up-to-date details of all of the media courses available in the UK.
'A Bigger Future 2' is the film skills strategy of Creative Skillset: The Sector Skills Council for the Creative Industries , which aims to meet the training and skills needs of the UK industry by delivering funding through the Film Skills Fund (FSF). A network of screen academies and a film business academy have been approved by Skillset as centres of excellence in education and training for film. Skillset also lists a range of National Occupational Standards relevant to professionals already working in this area. Browse Skillset's website for links to a network of training partners, and information about training and bursaries.
Short courses in location management are available, such as those run by The National Film and Television School . Courses may be available to freelancers at a subsidised rate through Skillset. The Guild of Location Managers (GLM) also provides training events for members, as well as opportunities to network and share good practice.
Some courses in production management may be useful to location managers as some of the skills used in these fields overlap. 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 to gain experience of producing stills shoots and knowledge of photographers' technical requirements.
It is beneficial 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 keep up with, and working with local authorities and the police requires knowledge of procedures and byelaws.
Developing a career in location management takes time, as getting 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. With experience, it is possible to build a career in a specific area, such as drama or commercials.
In moving-image location work, it is common for current students or recent graduates to get experience as a runner, assistant director or camera person in production, or specifically in location running. A common career progression route is for a location runner to move on to location assistant, location scout or, in larger productions, unit manager and eventually location manager. You need to show willingness to get involved, be prepared to work hard and undertake basic tasks, and demonstrate problem-solving skills.
Career development for freelancers usually takes the form of progressing from small productions to larger and more ambitious projects. Because projects vary from one-day shoots for a pop video or commercial advertisement to major feature films or television dramas that take several weeks or months, this aspect of the work offers great scope for the development of a location management career.
Some location managers set up their own company or location agency, either independently or with other professionals. Others go on to work for location companies or become producers, directors or production designers, and there are a few rare opportunities to work in-house for film or production companies. New opportunities in roles such as film officer are also developing with regional film agencies.
The film and video industry in the UK is made up of the following types of organisations, which are the typical employers of location managers:
Projects for which location managers are needed include corporate, educational, entertainment, advertising and pop promotion videos, television programmes and trailers. These types of projects provide much of the work for location managers, most of whom develop their own specialist areas as freelancers. Some skilled and experienced location managers may choose to work across a variety of productions.
Broadcasting companies usually commission freelance location managers, who are employed to provide services for the making of a specific programme, but there are also very limited opportunities to work in-house, with drama or light entertainment programmes being the most common sources of work. Various genres of programmes, such as factual, news or current affairs, may incorporate location management functions within the in-house production team.
Film companies and independent production companies that make films usually recruit location managers for individual productions and are most likely to appoint on the basis of previous experience and reputation.
Location managers and scouts also work within specialist location agencies and companies that provide services to television and production companies.
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