A location recce (short for reconnaissance) involves scouting and evaluating potential filming locations to determine their suitability for a production. Done well, it saves weeks of problems on set. Done poorly, it can sink a production before a single frame is shot.
What is a location recce?
The term comes from military reconnaissance — the process of gathering information about an area before committing forces. In film, it means visiting potential locations with your team to assess everything from lighting conditions to parking for the unit base.
Who should be on the recce team?
A thorough recce brings together the key creative and technical heads:
- Director — to assess creative suitability
- Cinematographer (DoP) — to assess light, shadows, angles
- Production Designer — to assess dressing requirements
- Location Manager — to coordinate logistics and permissions
- Producer — to assess cost implications
- 1st AD — to consider scheduling and unit logistics
- Health & Safety specialist — to assess risks
What to assess during the recce
Facilities and logistics
- Parking for cast, crew and unit vehicles
- Catering and facilities for cast and crew
- Proximity to accommodation and base camp options
- Loading access for equipment trucks
Permissions and access
- Who owns the location and what permissions are needed
- Any restrictions on filming times or areas
- Historic or protected building considerations
- Noise ordinances and curfews
Technical considerations
- Available natural light and how it changes through the day
- Power supply — single phase, three phase, generator requirements
- Acoustic environment — ambient noise from roads, flight paths, industry
- Mobile signal and internet connectivity for data management
Safety
- Structural safety of buildings
- Trip and slip hazards
- Evacuation routes
- Health considerations (asbestos, chemicals, wildlife)
After the recce
Compile a location report for each site that includes:
- Location address and owner/agent contact details
- Photography of all relevant areas
- Technical notes on light, power, access
- Parking capacity and logistics
- Any known issues or restrictions
- Your overall recommendation
A well-organised location report is where SuperScout comes in — all your photos, notes, contacts and assessments in one searchable place, shareable with the whole team in seconds.
Your recce reports, organised and shareable.
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