Location shooting is the practice of filming in the actual setting in which a story takes place rather than on a sound stage or back lot. In filmmaking, a location is any place where a film crew will be filming actors and recording their dialogue. A location where dialogue is not recorded may be considered as a second unit photography site.
In film, the second unit is a discrete team tasked with filming shots or sequences separate from the main or "first" unit. The second unit will often shoot simultaneously with the first unit, allowing the filming stage of production to be completed faster. For more information about the second unit click here
Below is the second unit director for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Peter MacDonald.
Filmmakers often choose to shoot on Location because they believe that greater realism can be achieved in a "real" place. However, location shooting is also often motivated by the films budget. For instance, the independent horror film Marianne was shot entirely on location in Sweden. However, many films shoot interior scenes on a sound stage and exterior scenes on location.
It is often mistakenly believed that filming "on location" takes place in a location where the story is set, but this is not necessarily the case. Most films do a bit of both location shooting and studio shoots. Although low budget films usually do more location shooting than bigger budget films because the cost of shooting at someplace that already exists is much cheaper than creating that place from scratch. Before shooting on location it is generally wise to conduct a recce.
There are some pros and cons that come with filming on location, here are a few of them;
Pros
- It can be cheaper than constructing large sets.
- The illusion of reality can be stronger - on set, it is hard to replicate real-world wear-and-tear, as well as architectural details.
- Lack of control over the environment - Lighting, passing aeroplanes, traffic, pedestrians, bad weather etc.
- The difficulty of finding a real-world location which conforms with the requirements of the script.
- Members of the audience may be familiar with a real-world location used to double as a fictional location.
- If a particular location lacks production companies (supply sets and equipment) then transporting all the crew and equipment just to film on location can be extremely expensive.
Production Design
The most obvious department that will play a part in this
decision is the art department. On location, the space is already built. It may
need to undergo some scenic work, such as a new paint job, or it may need to be
furnished differently. But, everything is done on the surface. On a sound
stage, everything would need to be built. This means not only the walls and
furniture, but also any texture that can only be achieved through years of
activity in a space. So, a lot of money can be spent recreating a genuine
environment.
Camera
This department's advantages and disadvantages are closely
linked to those of the art department. On location, the camera is locked into
the space that exists. If you want to get a wide shot, you can only put you
widest lens on and get as close to the wall behind you as possible. However, in
a sound stage, your set walls can be built to fly away. This means much more
flexibility as far as camera placement goes, and overall more working space
available.
Lighting
On location, the sun plays a huge part in lighting
conditions. If you are spending an entire day in a room with lots of windows,
the light is going to change from morning, to afternoon, to evening. This means
a lot of equipment is needed to control said changes and maintain continuity
throughout the scene.
In a studio space, you do not have this problem because all
the light (even a hypothetical sun) is artificial and therefore entirely in
your control. However, you now need more lights in order to simulate the said
sun as it would appear in each of your set's windows. You also need to account
for what you can see through these windows, and how you would like to deal with
that. On the other hand, studio lighting wins one more advantage with an
available rigging grid, complete with electricity above the set.
Sound
There is a reason that it is called a "sound
stage". A studio should be completely sound proof. No sound other than
what is in the room can ruin a take. On location, you have to deal with
"holding for a plane," strange plumbing sounds in your building, or neighbours
yelling. Having control can make this department run seamlessly.
Production
At last, the biggest department of all. A good location
manager should always be asking herself, where will we stage equipment? Where
will actor holding be? Where can we park the trucks? Where are the bathrooms?
Is there Internet available for the production team? Is there an elevator to
get equipment to the sixth floor? All these questions are eliminated in sound
stage shooting. Studios have all of these things taken care of for the
production. The kicker is that the studio space costs money.
Locations and sound stages both have advantages and
disadvantages. In many cases, the choice will come down to cost, but there are
many other factors to consider as well. Also, keep in mind that you need
location permits to shoot in many public places.
Here are some examples of films being shot on location and the locations that were actually used in the making of these films;
Jurassic Park
One part of Jurassic Park was filmed in Isla Sorna, Molokai, Hawaii. The excuse for the return Isla Sorna is the disappearance of young Eric Kirby while parasailing along the coast of the raptor infested isle.
Here are some examples of films being shot on location and the locations that were actually used in the making of these films;
Jurassic Park
One part of Jurassic Park was filmed in Isla Sorna, Molokai, Hawaii. The excuse for the return Isla Sorna is the disappearance of young Eric Kirby while parasailing along the coast of the raptor infested isle.
Another part in Jurassic Park was filmed in Washington DC: Home of Dr Ellie Sattler. The location is 1230 Milan Avenue, Monterey road, South Pasadena.
Jurassic Park shooting on Location.
Jaws
Here are some of the locations used in the filming of Jaws;
American Legion memorial bridge and sengekontacket pond, Martha's vineyard, Massachusetts.
Chief Brody gets paintbrushes in the town centre of Amity Island, Edgartown, Martha's vineyard, Massachusetts.
The mayor has a word with Chief Brody. Chappaquiddick island ferry, Martha's vineyard, Massachusetts.
The orca sets sail and Quint's workshop. Menemsha Harbor, Martha's vineyard, Massachusetts.
Shooting on Location;
E.T
Elliot's house below the San Gabriel Mountains, Lonzo drive, Tujunga.
The flying Bicycles. White Oak Avenue, Porter Ranch.
Back to the Future
Doc Brown's house in the 50s. Gamble house, Westmoreland place, Pasadena.
Marty visits George as Darth Vader. 1711 Bushnell Avenue, Pasadena.
Marty's mum's house across the street. 1727, Bushnell Avenue, Pasadena.
Enchantment under the sea dance. First united Methodist church of Hollywood, Franklin Avenue, Hollywood.
Site of Doc's house in the 80's. North Victory Boulevard, Burbank.
The McFly home. Roslyndale Avenue, Arleta, California.
Green Street
The lads gather for a pre-match drink at "the abbey." The Griffin, Brook Road South, Brentford.
Bostonian Matt takes an unusual route from Paddington to Chelsea. Bank, City of London, EC3.
Matt stays with Shannon and her husband Steve in a very exclusive part of Chelsea. Cadogan Gardens, Chelsea, London.
Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly Station. Fenchurch street station, Fenchurch street, London.
Matt talks to his dad at the pub. New Moon Pub, Leadenhall market, London, EC3.
Matt is spotted at the newspaper office. Lime Street, London, EC3.
The Goonies
Jake Fratelli is sprung from jail. Clatsop County Building, Astoria.
Mikey's dad works at Astoria Historical Museum. Flavel house museum, 8th street, Astoria.
The Goonies follow one eyed Willy's map. Cannon Beach, Ecola state park, Oregon.
The Goonies emerge into daylight. Goat Rock Beach, Bodega Bay, Northern California.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Home of the Dursley's "4 Privet Drive." 12 Picket Post Close, Martin's Heron, Berkshire.
Harry talks the the Serpent. Reptile House, Regent's park zoo, London.
The entrance to the leaky cauldron. Bull's head passage, Leadenhall Market, London.
The interior of Gringott's bank. Australia House, Strand, London WC2.
The film's platform 9 3/4. Platforms 4 and 5, King's cross station, London NW1.
Platform 9 3/4. by the entrance to platform 9, King's cross station, London NW1.
The corridors to Gryffindor at Hogwarts. the cloisters, Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester.
The quadrangle of Hogwarts. Durham Cathedral, County Durham.
Hogwarts classrooms. Lacock Abbey, Lacock, Wiltshire.
Professor Snape's Potions class. Sacristy, Lacock Abbey, Lacock, Wiltshire.
Professor Quirrell's Defence against the dark arts classroom. Warming room, Lacock Abbey, Lacock, Wiltshire.
Another Hogwarts location. Alnwick Castle, Northumberland.
Professor Flitwick's class. Harrow old schools, Harrow-on-the-hill.
My next post will be shooting on location - Day 1.
