Location Scouting: Why Walking Around Like a Tourist Is Actually Work

My partner watches me wander around Doncaster with my phone out, framing shots with my hands like some sort of directorial mime, and asks the eternal question: "Are you actually working or just avoiding real work?"

The answer? Yes. Both. Absolutely.

Location scouting is the unsung hero of filmmaking—and it's where most amateur projects fall apart. You can have the best camera, the most talented actors, and a brilliant script, but if your location is fighting against you, you're in for a world of pain.

The Car Park Incident

Early in my freelance career, I agreed to film a promotional video for a client without scouting the location first. "It's just our office," they said. "Nothing fancy needed."

I should have known better. I showed up to find fluorescent lights humming like angry bees, a window directly behind their desk creating an unholy backlight, a busy main road outside making clean audio impossible, and absolutely nowhere to position my camera without shooting directly into a glass partition.

I spent two hours trying to make it work, rigging lights with extension cords snaking through corridors, hanging blankets over windows, and eventually suggesting we "maybe try the meeting room instead?" The client was confused. I was mortified. The footage was... serviceable.

That shoot taught me a harsh lesson: always scout. Always. No exceptions.

What I Actually Look For

When I scout a location now, I'm not just taking pretty pictures—I'm solving problems before they happen.

Light Quality and Direction - Where's the sun at different times of day? Are there windows creating harsh shadows? Can I control the ambient light or am I at its mercy?

Audio Environment - I stand silently for five minutes, listening. Humming fridges. Traffic rumble. HVAC systems. That charming pub with exposed brick? Nightmare acoustics.

Power Access - How many outlets? Where are they? Do I need to bring extension cables?

Space to Work - Can I actually fit my tripod here? Is there room for an interview setup with proper depth?

Background Elements - Fire exit signs in shot. Clocks that show the wrong time. That unfortunate motivational poster.

The Unsexy Reality

Location scouting isn't glamorous. It's walking around with a light meter app and a voice recorder, making notes like "avoid this corner—weird buzzing sound" and "check if we can move that bin."

But it's the difference between a smooth shoot day and a nightmare. It's the difference between footage you're proud of and footage you apologize for.

So yes, when I'm wandering around looking vaguely lost with my phone out, I am working. I'm solving tomorrow's problems today. I'm finding the perfect spot for that interview. I'm mentally cataloging where the sun will be in three weeks when we actually shoot.

And occasionally, yes, I'm just enjoying being a tourist in my own town. But mostly it's work. Honest.