Education / Locations
Help a real place become a working film location.
Entry roleThe overview
Location assistants help prepare, protect and maintain the places a production uses, supporting the locations team before, during and after filming.
A location must work for many people, not only look right on camera. Assistants can help prepare recce information and off-set spaces, keep areas clean and support the team’s practical arrangements. Their work helps the production leave the location in the condition expected by its owner.
Preparation, supporting the crew’s arrival and maintaining off-set spaces can continue throughout the shoot.
Your route in
Trainee or assistant opportunities provide a way to learn location work and its practical demands.
With permission, assess a familiar room for access, parking, facilities and nearby activity. Write questions rather than assuming filming is allowed.
Describe event setup, dealing with the public or looking after a venue. Explain how you handled an unexpected problem.
Look for trainee or assistant work and ask how the team prepares, documents and hands back a location.
Location support can lead towards coordination, assistant location management and location management.
Try it yourself
Create a mock recce checklist for a community hall. Include crew access, facilities, neighbouring activity and how you would protect surfaces.
Check that you distinguish what you observed from what needs permission or confirmation. Do not include real owner contact details.
This is an introduction to UK film and scripted TV, rather than a complete job specification. Grades and responsibilities vary by production.
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