Is location management predominantly a logistical role?
In the recce stage it is more creative – it becomes more logistical the closer you get to shooting. When you are shooting it is a logistics role. It’s a 50/50 – you need to have a foot in both camps. Do you tend to work with the same people again and again? Yeah, I’ve built up teams over the years. My assistants stick with me for a while and then most of them go on to become location managers. You work with people you trust and I’m hopefully good friends with most of the people I work with. Besides the people surrounding you there must be key equipment, such as a vehicle, mobile phone, digital camera, laptop, that are necessary within this role? You need a decent digital SLR for the stability of the shot. I tend not to use tripods – there are the old tricks of leaning against walls that I’ve taught a few people. If you’re doing a period drama or a presentation to studio heads then you need to use lights and do a professional job. You can take as many shots as you like and then edit the
