Location Scouting and Analysis

Our media production requires several filming locations. These locations need to meet requirements set out by ourselves in order to gain the most out of our ideas. These requirements include:

- complimenting our visual style and our ideas as a whole

- being able to shoot reasonably conveniently in terms of distance and travel

- being able to shoot efficiently in terms of environmental issues i.e. how busy the area is with the general public, the tendency for the area to change visually and affect continuity

- being non-recognisable to the majority to create a sense of professionalism

To try and decide on the perfect locations for our music video, I have decided to put each possible location through a screening process. This will consist of an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each location. We will then be able to see more clearly which locations are better suited to our needs. Then, with help from you're feedback and comments, we can pick our final location choices and get filming!


The possible locations:

Cherry Hinton Hall Park, Cambridge

Strengths - consists of a large green space with trees, two small paddling pools and a play area. All of which can be used to create some interesting shots. A low profile means this park is unlikely to be busy during a shoot.

Weaknesses - not too convenient in terms of distance. The play area creates a chance of young children being at the location during the shoot.

Castle Hill, green space, Cambridge

Strengths - originally an Iron Age fort, the castle hill offers an expansive view, a large green space and trees. All of which can be used to create some exclusive shots. This green space also has a low profile and therefore is unlikely to be busy.

Weaknesses - not convenient in terms of distance. The historic hill could attract tourists during the shoot.

Christchurch Park, Ipswich

Strengths - includes a large green space, tennis courts, shelters, ponds, trees and a croquet lawn. These facilities could help spark some creative shots. The park is fairly convenient in terms of distance.

Weaknesses - the park's high profile means the park is likely to be busy, or at least contain a fair number of people, during the shoot.

Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds

Strengths - offers a massive green space (200 acres) with trees and ponds, creating many possibilities for shooting. Very convenient in terms of distance.

Weaknesses - fairly high profile locally may mean it will be busy during the shoot. Recognisable locally, reducing our look of professionalism.

As you can see there are several dilemmas. For example, deciding between travel distance and being locally recognisable. For this particular dilemma I feel Christchurch park in Ipswich offers a great compromise. However, this location is likely to be busy during the shoot. Shooting in either Cambridge location would ensure a quiet shoot, but then travel distance becomes an issue again. We will need to consider all factors before deciding a location.

Do you have any experience of these locations? We would really appreciate any feedback for these locations to help us decide.

I will subsequently post our final location choice as well as some new location possibilities for a different scene.

Many thanks, and remember to leave some comments.

Oli