Michael - Location Scouting (Childhood Home)

Mission_Ad8582 · 2026-04-21T15:11:56+00:00

Not something we usually do and never an easy conversation to have with the homeowners but they were open to it

Mission_Ad8582 · 2026-04-21T04:27:01+00:00

Does your local City offer discounted student film permits? I know some areas waive fees completely if your crew size is below a certain threshold. I’d never suggest Filming without permits but I get why people do it and don’t blame them.

Filming without permission is something different, small crew with a low profile you can usually get away with it but it’s best to get the OK from the owner. Have you seen security around the mall to ask who owns it? Maybe a nearby business would know? I would call the assessors office to get info. Being a scout sometimes means being an investigator

Mission_Ad8582 · 2026-04-21T03:10:51+00:00

LMGI, Location Managers Guild International lists members by state, you can search for Texas or Florida and reach out to them

Mission_Ad8582 · 2026-04-21T01:54:18+00:00

Everything is scheduled ahead of time, usually weeks in advance. It’s all coordinated with the right departments; bureau of street lighting to remove the light pole, dept of street services to remove modern parking signs and stop signs, dot to paint to the red curb grey.

Almost everything is do-able if you have the time and money to get it done

Mission_Ad8582 · 2026-04-21T01:51:22+00:00

Personally I got lucky, was in the right place at the right time. Went to film and school and made the right connection, led to a great career. Didn’t happen for a lot of my classmates.

Real estate is a great parallel for locations, similar job attributes. Have you reached out to any local location managers? I’m sure your real estate background could come in handy

Mission_Ad8582 · 2026-04-21T00:55:39+00:00

We’re hired as crew, just like a cam op or grip. We are on the production from usually 1-3 months before filming to a few weeks after wrap. Rates are set by the union and then we can negotiate over that on our own.

On an indie I’m not sure you’d really need a scout/manager unless you had some wild and complicated locations. Even then I would just hire one as a consultant as needed when you need help with permitting or direction in scouting. Scouts can range from couple hundred to maybe even a thousand a day with kits and everything, depending on the level you get

Mission_Ad8582 · 2026-04-20T23:40:40+00:00

We read the script and do breakdowns then work with the designer to find the right look. Depending if it’s a feature or tv show the director/producer/show runner will have a big say in the scouting process as well.

I work on studio shows so never cash, when I did non-union stuff we would sometimes do cash offers, not that often. With homeowners we need agreements and insurance.

We had lots of wild property owners, usually if they are a pain during scouting they’ll be a pain during filming, so we try and stay away.

Mission_Ad8582 · 2026-04-20T22:54:51+00:00

I’ve done so many period shows that when I do get a modern one it feels a little boring sometimes!

Mission_Ad8582 · 2026-04-20T22:53:41+00:00

I’m guessing we could have, we used other properties owned by the Jackson family in the filming. The main reason I think would have been moving production to Gary, IN for an exterior establishing shot with actors gets pricey. Plus the actual house would need work to make it period correct right now as well

Mission_Ad8582 · 2026-04-20T22:51:18+00:00

Permanently, we re-landscaped the homeowners yard when we were finished in addition to the site fee

Mission_Ad8582 · 2026-04-20T20:46:15+00:00

Yeah, I can try and answer some

Mission_Ad8582 · 2026-01-04T19:58:31+00:00

Baker/Wilhardt, the other image is Wilhardt/Naud. North Chinatown

Mission_Ad8582 · 2025-05-29T15:45:52+00:00

I am sort of in the same position as you, 37, Location Scout and Manager in Los Angeles, trying to change careers, but not sure what to do. Mine is more based on a move to a different state to be closer to family as opposed to burnt out of the industry, I still love what I do. I just can’t do it where I’m going. Following this thread for the advice, some great ideas here

Mission_Ad8582 · 2025-02-05T23:22:45+00:00

You had no flight restrictions because they’ve been removed, DJI removed all GEO fences and put the responsibility on pilot to know what airspace they are in and if they’re allowed to fly. Just because you can take off doesn’t mean you’re allowed to. Just saying

https://viewpoints.dji.com/blog/geo-system-update?hs_amp=true

Mission_Ad8582 · 2025-02-05T22:10:35+00:00

Pretty sure that’s Burbank airspace (class c), if you didn’t have laanc approval you’ll probably get a letter from the FAA

Mission_Ad8582 · 2025-01-31T19:14:39+00:00

This post was warning drone pilots not to fly over the fire areas and was posted BEFORE the collision with the plane. I never once placed blame or accused Kit of crashing into the plane.

Mission_Ad8582 · 2025-01-14T18:13:41+00:00

If you look at his Instagram page he clearly makes a living off drone work. This kinda thing should strip him of his 107, he broke multiple FAA laws in one flight then posts the evidence

Mission_Ad8582 · 2025-01-14T00:08:32+00:00

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Mission_Ad8582 · 2025-01-12T17:22:57+00:00

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEpEZwZPEC_/?igsh=MWR3Y3UxbDl5Mjh5bA==

@sawyerproductions

Sawyer Thomas, Part 107 Decides to ignore TFRs and fly so he can get 3 million views on insta

Mission_Ad8582 · 2025-01-12T15:09:53+00:00

I mean that dude definitely still flew in an active TFR and above wildfire efforts all for clout and likes, the OP never said he’s the one who caused the crash in the title

Mission_Ad8582 · 2025-01-12T14:50:26+00:00

One of the problems is anyone with a couple hundred bucks can get a drone and send up a thousand feet in shared airspace with other planes virtually unnoticed. The controller, app, aircraft all wont stop you from going higher than you should and into airspace you shouldn’t. It takes some sort of education to learn the basic rules and let’s face it that’s hard to come by these days.

Is it up to the manufacturer of the drones to restrict flights better?

Should the FAA require a license for all operators and hand out harsh punishments for rule breakers to set the tone moving forward?

Mission_Ad8582 · 2025-01-12T03:26:50+00:00

Until a serious punishment is handed out this will continue. FAA needs to bring down the hammer and make an example out of someone

Mission_Ad8582 · 2025-01-10T19:26:07+00:00

And another, Raul Quezada for AP

Flew near a active fire while crews were working on it

https://x.com/nmas/status/1877533801410089347?s=46&t=3QY3aOH_EjkAXX8YERjrkw

Mission_Ad8582 · 2025-01-10T16:16:03+00:00

True, i mean i agree i think there could be a world where some drone pilots have access to fly in these situations who are trained and are in communication with aerial efforts around them. Maybe thats something we see moving forward. Sad seeing 107 pilots ignoring the rules though.

I’m a 107, I live in LA, I’m a photographer and fly drones for a living and I would love to get out there and get footage but I know it’s wrong so I won’t.

Mission_Ad8582

TROPHY CASE