Appendix
Location photographs are generally taken with 35mm color film and printed in a larger 4x6" format. The idea is to give the producers a 180 degree panoramic view of the location so that they can see the entire area at one time. (Generally videos or panoramic cameras are not as effective for this kind of photography.) You don't have to be a professional photographer to take good location photographs. You just need a little time and practice. The key is to take your time, and have patience. Practice helps.
To take panoramic photographs (pans) , you must stand in one spot without moving your feet. Keep the camera as level and still as possible. It's often more effective to turn the camera on it's side to get vertical rather than horizontal shots of the location.
Point the camera to the far left of the 180 degree area you are shooting. Take one picture. Then take a second picture so that it overlaps slightly with the first picture. Continue shooting overlapping pictures until you have covered the entire area. It should take you 5-8 pictures to cover 180 degrees. It's helpful to find an object which will help you determine how the pictures fit together. For example, a telephone pole on the far right side of picture one should appear on the far left side of picture two. This will keep you oriented and will help you to determine where you want to place the camera for each shot. It's also useful for putting the pictures together when you get ready to mount them later. When planning your shots, it's also good to put the main focus of your pan in the center.
After you shoot one pan, you need to turn around and shoot the other side as well. This is called the "reverse" and is designed to show the entire area in which the location is situated. It's important that the producers know what other buildings or scenery might be nearby that might impact filming.
It's a good idea for you to get two sets of prints of the pictures you have taken. That way you can have an extra set in case the first one gets lost in the mail, or in case you get a request for the same location again. Always remember to carefully date and label the negatives, and to protect them for future use.
The pictures need to be placed into folders before they are sent to the producers. We use ordinary legal sized file folders for this purpose. You may need to tape several of these together depending on the number of pans you have taken. Below is the process used to create location folders.
- Find a large flat work surface. Be sure that you don't get the pictures out of order when you take them from the package.
- Divide the photos into the separate panoramas you have shot.
- Lay one pan out on the table. Beginning with the center picture, tape the photos together with clear tape. Place the outer photos in the pan on top of the inner photos if possible. This will allow you to fold the pans up if they are too large to fit into.
- Now you are ready to put the pictures into the folder. Tape the pans into the folders in a logical order. Many people find this the most difficult part of location photography. Generally, the most logical order will be the order in which you took the pictures. Try imagining, for example, that you are walking up to a farmhouse in the country. The first pan you would put into the folder would put the pictures of the road to the house, then pictures of the land and front of the house. You may want to follow that up with photos of the sides and rear of the house. Then group all of the pictures of the interior together. Start with the front hallway, and downstairs rooms. Then finish with the upstairs rooms. If it feels like a logical progression to you, then it probably will feel the same way to the producer.
- Be sure that pans which are reverses of each other are together, and mark them as "reverses" of each other. Don't be afraid of making notes on the folder. You may want to write the address, directions or other items of interest which you feel it's important for the producer to know.
There are many terms associated with a film project that will probably be unfamiliar to most people. The following are a few which you may need to be know if a project comes to your area.
Art Director: The person who is responsible for the design of a particular production, and who oversees the props and set dressing.
Assistant Directors: There are usually two assistant directors who work with the director on each production. The First A.D. is responsible for scheduling and keeping things moving on the set. The Second A.D. manages the actors and production assistants and keeps the records associated with filming.
Best Boy: Head of the Grip or Electric Department. The Best Boy Electric is responsible for the electricians and Best Boy Grip is responsible for the Grips.
Camera Department: Responsible for the camera equipment and film, and for the actual photography on a film. Members of this department include the Director of Photography, Camera Operator and Camera Assistants.
Catering: Provides on-site meals to the cast and crew.
Craft Services: Provides beverages and snacks that are available to the cast and crew throughout the day.
Cinematographer: Responsible for all technical aspects of the photography. This can include, among other things, lighting and the placement of the cameras.
Director: Is responsible for translating the script onto film. Has overall responsibility for the artistic interpretation of the script.
Director of Photography: (see Cinematographer).
Dolly: A small sturdy truck built to carry a camera and operator to facilitate the movement of the camera during shooting.
Editor: Assembles the film into a coherent whole after it's been shot.
Electrician: Person who sets and adjusts the lights.
Gaffer: The chief electrician on the set. Responsible for setting up lighting.
Grip: Crew members who work with the Camera and Electrics Department of the film, setting up and moving the equipment necessary to shoot the scene.
Honeywagon: Large mobile unit with dressing rooms and toilet facilities.
I.A.T.S.E.: The union which represents much of the movie crew, including grips, projectionists and wardrobe employees.
Key Grip: In charge of the grips and grip equipment.
Line Producer: Responsible for controlling the expenses and keeping costs down.
Location Scout: Person who searches out locations and photographs them to show the director, designer and producer.
Location Manager: Person responsible for finding locations, and negotiating permission to use them. Also responsible for coordinating all issues related to location filming, including permits, parking, police, and catering.
Principal Photography: The filming of all the speaking parts of a film.
Post Production: The process of completing a film. Involves editing, adding music and sound effects, and preparing the film for release into theatres.
Producer: There are many different kinds of producers. Generally, they are responsible for bringing all the elements of a production together, including selecting the stars and key members of the production team. Also, the producer is ultimately responsible for supervising the film while it is in production and post-production.
Production Assistant (P.A.): P.A.s basically do anything they are asked to do, from running errands to managing extras to getting coffee.
Production Designer: Responsible for the design of the sets, costumes and props used in a production.
Props: Objects appearing on a set which are movable, including things like chairs, lamps, dishes, etc.
Publicist: The person responsible for handling all media requests during filming. Also responsible for setting up interviews, managing press conferences, and arranging set visits.
Screen Actors Guild (SAG): The union that represents the actors.
Script Supervisor: Keeps track of re-writes on the script, and the number of "takes" each scene requires. Also responsible for continuity, which involves ensuring that parts of a scene shot at different times match each other in every detail.
Second Unit: Crew that shoots scenes that don't involve principal actors, often at remote locations.
Set Dressers: Finds and places movable items on the set, such as furniture, decorative pieces, or rugs.
Stunt Coordinator: Plans and manages stunts and ensures that they are carried out safely.
Transportation: Responsible for everything involving the vehicles. This involves maintenance and parking for the semi trucks, trailers, cars and vans.
Unit Manager/Unit Production Manager (UPM): Coordinates and manages the shooting schedules and locations and assists with the day-to-day financial operation of the shoot.
Wardrobe: Responsible for the costumes while they are on the set.
Wrangler: Cares for any animals who appear on the set, and any equipment and vehicles used in association with animals.
The undersigned lessor as owner of the premises described herein irrevocably grants to _______________as lessee the right to use and photograph (including without limitations by means of motion picture, still or video device) both the real and personal property located at the premises generally described as follows:
Lessor warrants that Lessor is the owner (or the agent of the owner) of said premises, that Lessor is fully authorized to enter into this agreement and has the right to grant Lessee the use of said premises and each and all of the rights herein granted.
Lessee may take possession of said premises on or about_________and may continue in possession until the completion of all photographing and recording for which Lessee may desire the use of said premises, estimated to require about________________days of occupancy over a period of about_______days.
Lessee agrees to pay as rental for said premises__________________________.
All charges shall be payable upon completion of the work contemplated unless specifically agreed to the contrary. Lessee may at any time elect not to use the premises in which case neither party shall have any obligation hereunder.
In the event Lessee desires to photograph retakes or other scenes, Lessee may reenter upon and use said premises for such period as may be reasonably necessary therefor, commencing at any time within eighteen months after completion of principal photography on this location, and in this event the above rental rates shall apply.
Lessee shall leave said premises in substantially as good condition as when received by it, excepting reasonable wear and tear and use of said premises for the purposes herein permitted; and Lessee shall have the right to remove all of its sets, structures and other material and equipment from said premises.
Lessee shall indemnify and hold Lessor harmless from and against damages for injury to or death of persons and for damage to or destruction of property of the owner occurring during Lessee's use of said premises and caused by the negligence of Lessee or any of its employees in the conduct of Lessee's motion picture operations hereunder to the extend such loss is not otherwise covered by any insurance provided that Lessee's liability shall be limited to one million dollars.
All rights of every kind in and to all photography and sound recordings made hereunder shall be solely owned in perpetuity by Lessee and its Successors, and neither Lessor nor any tenant or other party now or hereafter having an interest in said premises shall have any right of action, including without limitation any right to injunctive relief against Lessee, its Successors and/or any other party arising out of any use or non-use of said photography and/or sound recordings.
Lessor hereby irrevocably grants to Lessee and its Successors the right, in perpetuity, throughout the world, to duplicate and re-create all or a portion of said premises and to use it in connection with any motion picture, theme park, motion picture studio tour and/or merchandise in connection with any of the foregoing and/or in connection with any publicity, promotion and/or advertising of same.
Lessor hereby waives, in behalf of himself and his insurance carrier, all rights of subrogation with respect to any claim or claims which may arise under any and all policies of insurance now or during the term hereof in effect insuring any property of Lessor situated in or upon said premises.
Neither Lesser nor its Successors shall be obligated to make any actual use of any photography, recordings, depictions or other references to the premises hereunder in any motion picture or otherwise.
Company
___________________________
Property Owner
Staff members of the Virginia Film Office always try to schedule a final meeting with representatives of the company before they leave the state to determine what kind of experience they had while in Virginia, and we recommend that the person who is acting as the liaison with the company do the same. It is important to find out from their point of view what went well and what could have gone better so that we will know how to do better next time. In addition, if there are any unresolved issues with property owners or merchants, this is the time to get them resolved. It's important to tie up all the loose ends before the company disbands. You should also have a production expense form of some kind along with you at this meeting so that you can find out approximately how much money the company has spent in your area.
It may take years of diligence before a film finally chooses your area for filming. You may answer many of our faxes, take lots of photos, and spend lots of time on the phone before someone even comes to scout. There will be disappointments along the way. Maybe a film company will select a neighboring community or state for filming. It's not unusual for a film to lose it's funding at the last minute and decide not to come at all.
Why do it? When a film is made on location, it spends approximately 25% of its budget in the place where it is filming on things like salaries, goods, services, and housing, restaurants and shopping. It is the kind of industry which requires no infrastructure, and leaves behind no pollution. A film or documentary project can act as an effective advertisement for a community and can be incorporated in brochures and promotion.
In many ways the most lasting effects that a film will have on a community is on its citizens. It is exciting to have a film in your community, and thrilling when you see familiar places and faces on the screen. It is an unique and unforgettable experience that creates memories which last a lifetime.
