Getting the chance to work as a location assistant on feature films last summer gave me a completely different perspective of the possibilities you could get into with working on films. Working closely with the location manager and location scout where they are in charge of finding and locking down filming locations before production commences. Getting the chance to work closely with the location scout where in real time one of the locations were not what the director envisioned and so we both had to go out and find somewhere that suited both parties. During the location scout, the location manager had to consider:

Is there enough power for the shoot?

Is there water and access to toilets?

Where can trailers be parked?

Is there parking cast and crew at the location?

Where is the nearest hospital?

Having to know all of these answers by the end of the week, he had me walking around with a measuring wheel how mathematically it could all fit in the desired location. Working with the location manager where they are making big decisions about how logistically they will layout every department on set, where that’s the actors, stunt crew, producers, makeup and many more.

Also being able to speak to some of the camera ops and one of the DOPs really opened my eyes to what I would love to do in the industry. One day I worked closely with the second camera department and with them setting up each shot was one of the best days I had. But I soon realised that when working for a big film a lot of the camera ops weren’t doing a lot on set and with a prominent alpha male hierarchy with guys that have been doing this for decades you didn’t really feel welcomed by them. But that didn’t stop me getting to know a few of them. I realised that working for yourself on short films you were being told what to do and what short should be next.

My overall experience on the sets were invaluable to directing my own films and understanding how this is the standard and professionalism I should be getting out of my own work.