What We Are After

Films, television, still photography and even television commercials are more often a reflection of real life and tell stories of real people in real life locations. With this in mind it is very hard to determine what the next script that comes through the doors will have as a location. If it exists it is likely that one day they are going to want to use it.

There are many elements that make the ideal location, the two most important are the suitability to the script and access. A perfect location that is located on a clearway with no onsite parking makes the location unusable. There are several more elements and I will go through them one by one.

> Suitability to the brief/Script/Reference

As location manager's and scouts we are given many different types of briefs, from specific images to colours and textures. Other films or photographs, even the stylistic history of the director or photographer assist us in finding the right locations. Whichever the method we are briefed, it is our occupation to find the location that best fits the directors needs for the producers budget. With this in mind it is important to note that the script doesn't always call for a renovated period, although this is the most common request. The team at allformat have been responsible for many of the locations used for Just Jeans since 2002 and even the Tooheys Quest Tongue television commercial. These adverts along with many others have placed money in the hands of students who have provided their homes to film crews.

allformat has provided locations for luxury motor vehicle brochures in Europe, America and the rest of the world with clients such as Mercedes, BMW, VW, Opel and Audi. Locally we have been involved with Ford, Toyota, Holden and Nissan to name but a few. These companies tend to request very modern architecturally designed locations for their campaigns. Fashion labels tend to lean towards the homes of the 30's to the late 70's and love nothing more than rich textures, wallpaper and heavy drapes.

All these are generalisations as to what is requested. The main point is that you never know what you are going to be asked for next. So any house that has that WOW! Factor from any era has the potential. Offices with that million dollar view or even offices with the classic corporate partitions are valuable.

> Proximity

Due to additional travelling fees incurred by the production company, it is preferable that locations are within a 20km radius of the CBD. A location outside this radius would require the extra wow factor or uniqueness that would encourage the extra cost.

> Access

Access for a photographic crew is not important, however, it is essential for a film crew. Film crews generally consist of 20 to 40 people, 5 trucks and a lot of equipment that needs to be managed. Poor access can decrease filming time and increase costs considerably.

> Space

The larger the space the better. Film crews have a lot of large professional equipment from the lights, dolly and even the film camera is a large contraption. Space also allows for more flexibility to the director or photographer in conveying their story.

> Uniqueness/Wow factor

Wallpaper, tiles, vestibule, grand staircase, Tuscan influence, minimalist, modern, mountain views, golfing green, two kitchens, underground cellar, underground bunker, faded grandeur (our favourite), American style, original period home, indoor pool and anything that makes us say wow and differentiates the house from others.