Scout

 Scouting: My Secret Weapon for Stress-Free Shoots 

Really …. It’s All about saving myself, and ultimately the client, a whole lot of grief.

Think of it as an investment in a smooth-running production. Sure, it might seem like extra effort, but trust me, a little pre-planning goes a long way in avoiding those on-set surprises that make everyone want to pull their hair out.

So, what exactly am I looking for during a scouting trip? It’s all about anticipating potential problems:

• Location Logistics: Can we get our trailer in and out easily? Is there crew parking nearby? If we’re parking on public or private property? Do we need to worry about parking permit? These might seem like minor details and yes you can get a lot of answers over the phone and through Google Earth. But better be sure and safe, than sorry!
• Terrain Check: Flat and smooth sailing, or are we dealing with hills and uneven ground? Knowing the terrain beforehand helps us plan for ramps, risers, but more importantly, overall time management and staying on schedule. (Getting to “The Revenant” session pictured above, it took us 20 minutes on a gravel road from the freeway driving 30 mph!) 
• Noise Free Zone: There’s nothing worse than ruining a perfect take with a surprise jackhammer concert in the background. Scouting helps us identify potential noise sources and come up with solutions. As an engineer friend of mine used to say: “no problems … only solutions!” And I add to that: “as long as you know beforehand and can plan around it!”
• Power Up & Get Connected: Is there shore power available? Is there location gasoline available in case we need for our generators? Is there decent cell service and Wi-Fi? These might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how often they get overlooked. A scouting trip ensures we’re not left scrambling for an extension cord or facing a dead zone.

Now, let me tell you how a scouting endeavor saved the day (and the Netflix shoot) recently. During those crazy California storms, we got a call for a Netflix shoot in Malibu. The roads leading to the location were heavily affected and there was no cell or Wi-fi reception at the location. But guess what? Thanks to the two scouting trips beforehand, we were able to assess the situation, run a dedicated fiber line for Zoom through Spectrum, plan the logistics, and ultimately, nail the shoot!

Side note: Luckily, the shoot just happened to fall right in between two storms, were there was a break for a few days!  Just goes to say, you can plan all you want but mother nature will have the last say! Here’s a sneak peek at the behind-the-scenes action