Discover creative solutions for when you can't find the perfect film location with our insightful film industry tips on problem-solving skills.

Make sure you're happy with the location you choose. When you make a movie for a price, meaning low budget, you're going to have to make compromises. It's the nature of the beast. Make sure your compromises serve the movie and your creative execution. As a director I always want to shoot big. I want to get a wide. I want to shoot loose ones, wide twos. I want my actors to live in the moment. I don't want a location to dictate how and what I can shoot. Keep that in mind when you choose your location.

What do you do if you can't find the perfect film location?

Finding the perfect location for your film can be as crucial as casting the right actors or selecting the perfect script. It sets the tone, creates the environment, and can become a character in its own right. However, what happens when that ideal spot seems out of reach? Whether it's due to budget constraints, logistical issues, or simply the inability to find a location that fits your vision, it's a challenge many filmmakers face. But don't worry, you have options, and with a little creativity and flexibility, you can still capture the essence of your story.

1 Compromise First

When your dream location proves elusive, consider compromising on certain aspects. Maybe the perfect old mansion isn't available, but a similar house could be altered to fit the bill. Sometimes, changing your script slightly to fit an available location can save time and money. It's about being flexible and understanding that the story can often be told in more than one setting. You might find that a different location brings a new and possibly better dimension to your film.

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Arsenio Utekhin

TV and Film producer filming in Europe, China, South Africa, and Russia | Fixer, Line producer, Coordinator, Location scout | Over 15 years I help to plan and manage international productions
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In my experience - it is very important to keep searching for locations, even if on the first approach you weren't successful. Make an extra effort before accepting the need to compromise. There are many instruments available for location scouts today - photos on Google Maps, searching through Instagram using a geographical tag, using a tag related to your search, something like #palace or #mansion, looking through travel blogs... Even if the local scouts say there's nothing else - doublecheck it. I've had multiple situations when I found spots that were not on the local location manager's list. Location managers often try to give you locations that are simpler in terms of permit-getting procedures.

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Joe Basile

Creative Solutionist.
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It all depends on your budget. Can your story/script fit into a different location? Can a new location inspire your story? If you get a location for free, can your story fit into that location? I don't believe compromise is technically the right word. Again, depending on budget, you need to be creatively fluid. Especially if you're locked into a certain budget. If you're looking to make a low budget movie, your script should reflect that. As a filmmaker you have to be realistic in what you can afford. Again, it all depends on budget.

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2 Build Sets

If the world outside won't cooperate, create your own inside a studio. Building sets allows you complete control over the environment and is often used for fantastical or historical settings that don't exist in the real world. This can be costly and time-consuming, but it's a tried-and-true method for getting exactly what you want. With skilled set designers, you can transform a soundstage into a bustling city street or a quiet suburban home.

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Joe Basile

Creative Solutionist.
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Building sets is an option. Remember, if you're making a low budget movie, your sets are going to look low budget. Shooting on location always give your film a real authenticity. It all depends on budget. Make sure you story can live into you budget and your budget can live into your story.

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3 Green Screen

Green screen technology offers a solution when filming on location is not possible. By filming actors in front of a green screen, you can later add in any background you wish during post-production. This technique has been used to create everything from epic battles to serene landscapes. While it requires careful planning and skilled visual effects artists, it can open up a world of possibilities for your film's setting.

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4 Location Alteration

Sometimes, you can find a location that's close to what you need but not quite right. With some creativity, you can alter it to fit your vision. This might involve set dressing, lighting, or even minor construction. It's amazing how different a place can look with the right props and decorations. Remember, the camera's perspective is limited to what's in the frame, so you don't need to change everything—just what the audience will see.

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Joe Basile

Creative Solutionist.
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Make sure you're happy with the location you choose. When you make a movie for a price, meaning low budget, you're going to have to make compromises. It's the nature of the beast. Make sure your compromises serve the movie and your creative execution. As a director I always want to shoot big. I want to get a wide. I want to shoot loose ones, wide twos. I want my actors to live in the moment. I don't want a location to dictate how and what I can shoot. Keep that in mind when you choose your location.

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5 Digital Creation

Advancements in digital technology have made it possible to create entire worlds from scratch. Digital backdrops can be as simple as a static image or as complex as a 3D environment where the camera can move and explore. While this requires a team of skilled digital artists, it can be a powerful tool for storytelling, allowing you to bring any location, real or imagined, to life on screen.

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6 Hybrid Approach

Sometimes the best solution is a mix of techniques. Use a real location for wide shots and build partial sets for close-ups. Combine green screen with miniatures or digital effects for complex scenes. This hybrid approach can save money and time while still delivering a visually stunning result. It's all about using the tools available to you to serve the story and realizing that there are many paths to capturing your vision on film.

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Arsenio Utekhin

TV and Film producer filming in Europe, China, South Africa, and Russia | Fixer, Line producer, Coordinator, Location scout | Over 15 years I help to plan and manage international productions
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It's always possible to fil the action scenes in a studio and film the epic backgrounds separately. It can significantly cut costs, especially when you have a big crew and you aim for locations that are very complex to access.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if you can't find the perfect film location?

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1 Compromise First

2 Build Sets

3 Green Screen

4 Location Alteration

5 Digital Creation

6 Hybrid Approach

7 Here’s what else to consider

Film Industry

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