Location Scouting is a foundational part of the production process in which Directors collaborate in choosing locations that aid in their visual storytelling and best fit the needs of the scenes. On September 26, more than 100 DGA members learned how Directors approach location scouting in episodic television during the Director Development Initiative (DDI) online workshop, Location Scouting: A Breakdown of the Process for Choosing Locations.
Director Tazbah Rose Chavez moderated a conversation with Directors Andrew Fleming, Lucy Liu and Joe Menendez where they explored the important factors one should account for throughout the process, shared their experiences and tips for collaboration, and discussed how to balance the realities of production logistics, such as cost, budget, and time, with achieving their creative vision.
Liu noted that Directors should “be open, flexible, and more fluid” when scouting locations and expressed her belief that a location is not just about choosing a place that “serves the visual aspect but it is also about the sensory experience.”
Fleming, Liu, and Menendez each discussed how a location should serve the story and gave tips for how to choose locations that work for the entire scene, are realistic and are considerate of the needs of production cast and crew. Fleming also noted how taking numerous pictures of locations can help Directors assess whether a location will suit their needs.
Together, they shared ways that Directors can work together with key collaborators on set, such as the Location Scout, Location Manager, 1st Assistant Director, Director of Photography, Production Designer, and Line Producer, with Menendez and Fleming highlighting how it is the Director’s job to be able to articulate the visual images in their head and to be able to translate this to choosing a good location—“making the abstract real.”
DGA Members can watch the full video from
Director Development Initiative events by clicking here.
ABOUT THE PANELISTS:
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 Andrew Fleming
Fleming’s directorial credits include the features Hamlet 2, Threesome, Ideal Home, Nancy Drew and The In-Laws; the pilot and additional episodes of Uncoupled, Insatiable, Grosse Pointe, Difficult People, Odd Mom Out andBad Judge; and episodes of Emily in Paris, Arrested Development, New Girl, Red Oaks, Lady Dynamite, Younger and Heartstrings. Fleming joined the DGA in 1987.
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 Lucy Liu
Liu's directorial credits include episodes of American Born Chinese, Why Women Kill, Marvel's Luke Cage, New Amsterdam, Elementary, Graceland and Law & Order: SVU. Liu joined the DGA in 2014. |
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 Joe Menendez
Menendez’s directorial credits include the features Roba a Ladron (To Rob a Thief) and Henry Danger: The Movie; and episodes of Kung Fu, Siren, Star Trek: Picard, Evil, Snow Piercer, Quantum Leap, 12 Monkeys, Queen of the South, East Los High, 12 Deadly Days, The Brothers Garcia, Los Beltran, Viva Vegas, Solo en America and From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series. Menendez joined the DGA in 1999. |
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 Tazbah Rose Chavez (moderator)
Chavez’s directorial credits include episodes of Welcome to Derry, Accused, Reservation Dogs, Resident Alien, Rutherford Falls and Sex Lives of College Girls. Chavez joined the DGA in 2021. |
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About the Director Development Initiative:
The Director Development Initiative is designed to provide current information on the Director’s craft in order to further the Guild’s goal to increase diversity and inclusion in the industry.