What does a location manager do?

They scout and present locations, negotiate access and fees, secure permits and police liaison, manage neighbour relations, and run the location on shooting days including parking and unit base.

What is the difference between a location scout and a location manager?

A scout finds and photographs options. The manager negotiates, secures, permits and then runs them on the day. On larger productions both exist; on smaller ones the manager scouts too.

How early should location scouting start?

As soon as the script is stable. Locations constrain the schedule heavily, permits take time, and grouping locations well is the single biggest saving available in scheduling.

All Roles

Production Management

Location Manager

Finds, secures and runs locations — and handles everyone who lives next to one.

The Location Manager Role

The Location Manager finds locations matching the production designer's and director's requirements, negotiates access and fees, secures permits, and manages the location on the shooting day. The job involves a great deal of diplomacy: neighbours, councils, police, business owners and property managers all have to be kept satisfied, often while a hundred people and several trucks occupy their street. A good location manager also thinks in schedule terms, finding locations that group well and reduce company moves.

Call Sheet TemplateA call sheet is the daily document sent to a film crew before each shoot day. It states the general call time, individual call times per person, which scenes are being shot, the location and its address, cast requirements, and safety information. It is the single reference everyone works from that day.Free template · every field explained

Key Responsibilities

Scout and present locations matching design requirements
Negotiate access, fees and location agreements
Secure permits, road closures and police liaison
Manage neighbour and community relations
Run the location on shooting days, including parking and unit base
Advise on grouping locations to reduce company moves

When to Hire a Location Manager

In prep, as early as the script is stable — locations constrain the schedule more than most departments and take time to secure. On anything shooting outside controlled stages, a location manager is essential. They should also be consulted during scheduling, since grouping locations is the single biggest cost lever available.

What to Look For

Local knowledge and existing relationships with authorities
Permit and road-closure experience in your territory
Diplomacy with neighbours and businesses — much of the job
Scheduling awareness so locations group sensibly
Realistic assessment of what a location will cost in time, not just fees

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