30th January 2025
A Day in the Life of a Location Library
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a location library? A location library is a key tool in the world of the film, television, and photography industries, providing a meticulously curated database of potential shooting locations. From stunning historic buildings to sleek modern penthouses, the library serves as a bridge between property owners and creative professionals searching for the perfect setting. Let's take a look at what a typical day in the life of a location library looks like.
The day begins with a flood of emails, phone calls, and enquiries from production companies, photographers, and location scouts. Some are looking for a quaint countryside cottage, while others need a gritty urban warehouse. Our team sifts through the database, matching client requests with available properties. After presenting options to the client, we contact our owners to check their availability, interest in the enquiry and agree on a proposed rate, as well as set up any recces.
Simultaneously, new properties are constantly registering to our website, so it's our job to sift through these registrations considering the best locations to take on board. While we do take on properties of all varying shapes and sizes, we do need to consider practical elements as to whtether they can be a successful shoot location; can a crew and kit comfortably fit? Is the lighting workable? What is the access like? For successful locations, the team liaises with property owners and briefs them on what they can expect being a shoot location.
As well as dealing with new enquiries and new registrations, our team will also be working on individual shoots they have on the go. This involves seeing an enquiry through from start to finish, ensuring our detailed cotract has been agreed by both parties, invoices paid in advance of the shoot, and providing aftercare for any potential damages or overtime. Filming and photo shoots don’t always go as planned. Teams may occasionally arrive late or wrap up later than expected. At times, an owner might forget to provide tea and coffee for the crew. While rare, any accidental damage is covered by the production’s insurance or damage deposit, offering property owners peace of mind. Our team are on standby to walk owners and production companies through the full hire process, including any hiccups.
A major part of running a successful location library is maintaining an up-to-date and visually compelling database. The team spends time updating listings, retouching photos, and optimising search functions to ensure clients can easily browse properties. Marketing also plays a crucial role. Social media updates, email newsletters, and industry networking help promote our library’s offerings. We prepare regular blog posts, share behind-the-scenes content, and highlight particularly unique properties that could inspire future productions.
We're also always on the look out for new and exciting locations to join our library. While the majority of owners come to us via the registration process, part of our role is visiting new sites that we feel would make excellent additions and generate a lot of interest for filming and photoshoots. While this isn't a daily activity, it's certainly one that we love to do whenever we have the time and is crucial in keeping the library fresh. At the moment, we're currently on the hunt for farms and farmyards to join us!
As the day winds down, last-minute requests and troubleshooting take centre stage. A client might need an emergency alternative after losing access to a location, or a property owner might have concerns about a scheduled shoot. Quick thinking and problem-solving ensure that everything runs smoothly.
A location library is much more than a directory of places—it’s a dynamic, ever-evolving resource that helps bring creative visions to life. Whether assisting an independent filmmaker or a blockbuster production, the work is always diverse, exciting, and full of surprises. Next time you watch a movie or see an advertisement, take a moment to appreciate the locations—chances are, our dedicated team worked behind the scenes to make it happen!