As a location scout, you know that finding the perfect spot for a film shoot is both an art and a science. It’s not just about stumbling upon a beautiful place—it’s about matching a location’s aesthetic and logistical qualities with the needs of the production. Over my 30 years in this industry, I’ve come to rely on certain tools that make this complex job a little easier and a lot more efficient. Today, I’m going to share with you some must-have tools that have become indispensable in my scouting kit, including an essential online service that has revolutionized the process for many scouts.

The Importance of Having the Right Tools in Film Location Scouting

Enhancing Efficiency and Accuracy

The right tools can make a world of difference in how efficiently and accurately you can scout locations. When I first started out, I relied heavily on physical maps, a basic camera, and lots of notes scribbled in a notebook. While these methods worked, they were time-consuming and often left room for error. Nowadays, technology has drastically improved how we can manage our work. With the right tools, you can streamline your scouting process, reduce the time it takes to find and document locations, and ensure that every detail is captured accurately.

Locamundo: The Ultimate Online Service and Management Tool

One tool that has revolutionized many scouts’ processes is Locamundo. This all-in-one online service is designed specifically for location scouts, offering everything you need to manage your locations, photos, and client communications in one place.

Streamlining Location Management

Locamundo allows you to store all your location details securely, including photos, contact information, and notes. This means you no longer have to juggle between different apps or physical files. Everything is accessible in one place, making it easy to retrieve and share information with clients or production teams.

Features That Make Locamundo Essential

Some of the features scouts find most valuable include secure photo storage (with optional watermarks to protect your work), tools for marketing your locations to potential clients, and collaboration options that let you work seamlessly with other scouts. There’s also a function to store the original photos without watermarks for internal use, which is incredibly handy.

How Locamundo Enhances Scouting Efficiency

Using Locamundo has saved countless hours for many scouts. For instance, on one project, a scout managing multiple locations across different cities was able to keep track of all the details without missing a beat. When the client needed quick updates, they were able to provide detailed, organized information almost instantly.

Staying Competitive in a Demanding Industry

In an industry as competitive as ours, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. Clients expect quick turnarounds, precise details, and an ability to adapt to their evolving needs. By equipping yourself with the right tools, you’re not just making your job easier—you’re also positioning yourself as a top-tier professional who can deliver results under pressure.

Must-Have Tools for Location Scouting

High-Quality Digital Camera or Premium Smartphone

Importance of Capturing Locations Accurately

Capturing the essence of a location is critical. Whether you’re showcasing a wide-open landscape or the intricate details of an interior, your visuals need to convey exactly what the client is looking for. In the past, I always relied on a high-quality digital camera for this job, but the technology in today’s premium smartphones has caught up in impressive ways.

Smartphones vs. Traditional Cameras

These days, premium smartphones with advanced camera systems can serve as viable alternatives to traditional cameras. Many scouts have found that the latest smartphones not only offer excellent resolution and versatile shooting modes but are also incredibly convenient—especially when you need to quickly capture a location and send photos to a client on the go. In some cases, smartphones can even be preferable because they integrate seamlessly with software like Locamundo. This allows you to use the mobile’s features, such as the camera and GPS, for faster and more efficient management of your locations directly within the app.

Essential Gear: Tripod, Spare Camera, and Memory Cards

When using a digital camera, it’s important to always have a tripod with you. A tripod ensures stability, especially in low-light conditions or when you need to take long-exposure shots. Additionally, having a spare camera is crucial—equipment failure can happen at the worst possible time, and a backup camera can save the day.

If your digital camera uses memory cards, make sure to carry extra cards with you at all times. Running out of storage space in the middle of a shoot is a scenario you definitely want to avoid. Having spare memory cards on hand ensures you’re always ready to capture the perfect shot without any interruptions.

Features to Look for in a Camera or Smartphone

Whether you opt for a digital camera or a smartphone, look for features like image stabilization (to avoid blurry photos), high resolution (for crisp, detailed images), and good performance in low-light conditions. These features ensure that your photos will meet the high standards expected by production teams.

Recommendations

For digital cameras, models like the Canon EOS R5 or the Sony Alpha series are excellent choices. If you prefer using a smartphone, the iPhone 14 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are both equipped with top-of-the-line camera systems that can handle most scouting needs. For tripods, consider lightweight and durable options from brands like Manfrotto or Joby. Also, be sure to invest in high-quality memory cards, such as those from SanDisk or Lexar, and carry a reliable spare camera from the same brand or another trusted manufacturer.

Smartphone with Scouting Apps

Versatility and Convenience

Your smartphone is more than just a communication device—it’s a versatile tool that can support various aspects of your scouting work. With the right apps, your phone can help you with everything from tracking weather patterns to taking precise measurements of a location.

Recommended Apps

There are several apps that are considered essential for location scouting. Sun Seeker and PhotoPills are great for tracking the sun’s position, which is crucial for planning shoots. Google Maps is excellent for getting a detailed view of potential locations, while Evernote or Notion can help you keep your notes organized. And of course, having a good weather app like AccuWeather can help you avoid unpleasant surprises on the day of the shoot.

Don’t Forget a Power Bank

Given how heavily you’ll be relying on your smartphone, it’s mandatory to carry a power bank. Extended scouting sessions, especially in remote areas, can quickly drain your phone’s battery. A reliable power bank ensures that you won’t run out of battery power just when you need it most—whether it’s to capture a perfect shot or to navigate back to civilization.

Recommendations

When choosing a smartphone for scouting, look for models with long battery life, excellent camera quality, and ample storage. The iPhone 14 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are again strong contenders here, offering robust performance across the board. Additionally, consider power banks from brands like Anker or RAVPower, which offer high capacity and fast charging.

GPS Device or Mapping Software

Navigating and Marking Locations

When scouting in remote or unfamiliar areas, a reliable GPS device or mapping software is indispensable. You need to be able to navigate to locations easily, mark spots for future reference, and share precise coordinates with your team.

Offline Capabilities

One lesson I learned the hard way was the importance of offline capabilities. I was once scouting in a rural area with no cell service, and my mapping app became useless without an internet connection. Since then, I always ensure I have a GPS device or app that works offline, such as Garmin’s GPS devices or the Gaia GPS app.

Recommendations

For dedicated GPS devices, Garmin GPSMAP 66i is an excellent choice, offering rugged durability and reliable performance even in challenging environments. For mapping apps, Gaia GPS and Google Maps Offline are must-haves.

Portable Lighting Kit

Assessing Lighting Conditions

Lighting can make or break a location’s suitability for a shoot. Whether you’re scouting an indoor space or an outdoor location with tricky shadows, a portable lighting kit allows you to better assess and present the lighting conditions.

What to Include in a Lighting Kit

A good portable lighting kit should include items like LED lights, diffusers, and reflectors. These tools help you manage natural and artificial light, ensuring you can show your clients exactly how a location will look under different lighting conditions.

Recommendations

I recommend looking into LED lighting kits from brands like Aputure or Godox. These kits are compact, easy to set up, and powerful enough to illuminate even large spaces.

Drone for Aerial Photography

Capturing Unique Perspectives

Aerial photography can provide a unique perspective that’s impossible to capture from the ground. Drones have become a vital tool for location scouts, allowing you to showcase the full scope of a location, especially in outdoor or large-scale settings. While drones are increasingly in demand and can offer incredible value to your scouting toolkit, they may not yet be considered mandatory by all scouts. However, they can definitely add a fun and creative element to your work.

Key Features, Regulations, and Restrictions

When using a drone, it’s important to consider features like camera quality, battery life, and ease of control. Additionally, make sure you’re aware of and compliant with local regulations regarding drone use, as these can vary widely. Always check if there are any restrictions in the area you intend to fly, such as no-fly zones near airports or protected natural areas. Following these guidelines ensures that your drone usage is safe and legal.

Recommendations

For drones, the DJI Mavic Air 2 and DJI Phantom 4 Pro are popular choices among professionals. They offer excellent camera quality and are relatively easy to fly, making them ideal for capturing stunning aerial shots of your locations.