Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get into location scouting, specifically for film shoots. Los Angeles is obviously the place to be, so I dove in headfirst. Here’s how it went down, bumps and all.
Finding Potential Houses
First, I started by just driving around. Seriously, I picked different neighborhoods – some fancy, some not so much – and just looked. I was aiming for variety. I wanted those classic Spanish-style homes, mid-century modern gems, and even some run-down places that could work for the right scene.
- Drove through Beverly Hills, Los Feliz, and even out to parts of Pasadena.
- Took tons of photos. Seriously, my phone was overflowing.
- Noted addresses and any obvious features – big yards, pools, interesting architectural details.
Then I got a little more organized. I started using Google Maps, the street view feature is amazing. I could virtually “walk” down streets and check out houses without burning gas.
Making Contact and Getting Permission
After virtual choose, Comes to the hard part. I figured out some owner information, and got super simple introduce with my plan to them.
This was the scary part – contacting homeowners. I drafted a basic letter explaining who I was and what I was doing. I emphasized that I was just scouting potential locations, and there was no guarantee of anything.
- I tried different approaches – sometimes a letter, sometimes a phone call if I could find a number.
- Most people were surprisingly nice! Some were totally not interested, which is fair.
- I learned to be super polite and respectful of their time and privacy.
Building My Portfolio(Slowly but Surely!)
I haven’t landed a huge gig yet, but I’m building up a decent collection of photos and notes. I’m organizing everything by location type, architectural style, and any special features.
It’s definitely a learning process. I’m getting better at spotting houses that have that “film-friendly” look, and I’m slowly making connections. I’m feeling it will become easier and easier.
I realized I’m doing a great thing, and the more work, the more progress, the more easier, and finally I achieved it.
