A location library or location archive is a collection of visual and references information, usually organized by a serial numbering system, descriptive
keywords, geographic location (or more often than not a combination of the aforementioned) of
locations, or places that might be used for
filming or
photography
Photography is the art, application, and practice of creating durable images by recording light, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. It is emplo ...
.
A location library can offer many services, including contracts to the production company and to the location owner or agent as well as location scouting services. If one requires a location with certain criteria that are not included in the library, then the library can, usually for a fee, provide a location scout who will travel around a given area (usually chosen for its geographic location, near enough to the production company to keep shoot costs down) and find a location that not only fits a brief supplied by the production company but also fits the budget for the shoot.
A location library may carry locations of many types including commercial property as well as residential properties and usually, they are able to help organise a shoot in almost any location, on their library or not.
Not only can a location library find the location for a shoot, but it can help with permits for parking and filming.
Location libraries are not just a location resource for TV and film, they are also a database of photogenic location houses, apartments, industrial and event spaces for editorial publications, stills advertising photo shoots and PR shots for brands and celebrities.
Property owners can register their properties with a location library to be considered as locations for commercial hire. Requirements for any location are that it has good-sized rooms, large enough to comfortably fit a photographic crew of around 10–15 people, natural light, interesting features, décor, style of property and furniture will play a role in a property being eligible as a location property. Location owners are paid for the use of their property. A photoshoot will pay between £500 and £1000 per day and film in excess of £1200 (rates as of 2014).
[Katrina Burroughs ]
"Country cottage meets retro cool in John Lewis advert house"
''The Sunday Times'', 19 May 2013
See also
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Filming location
A filming location is a place where some or all of a film or television series is produced, in addition to or instead of using sets constructed on a movie studio backlot or soundstage. In filmmaking, a location is any place where a film crew wi ...
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Location scouting
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Location manager
The location manager is a member of the film crew responsible for finding and securing locations to be used, obtaining all fire, police and other governmental permits, and coordinating the logistics for the production to complete its work. They a ...
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Film production
Filmmaking (film production) is the process by which a motion picture is produced. Filmmaking involves a number of complex and discrete stages, starting with an initial story, idea, or commission. It then continues through screenwriting, cast ...
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Recce (filmmaking)
References
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Film production