Khi "Kong: Skull Island" chọn Ninh Bình + Quảng Bình + Hạ Long làm Skull Island, khi "Mai" (Trấn Thành) quay khắp Sài Gòn từ chợ Bến Thành đến quận 1 cao tầng, khi "House of the Dragon" quay tại Spain + Wales cho fictional Westeros — đó là Location Scout đã tìm + đề xuất.
Location Scout là chuyên gia tìm + đánh giá địa điểm quay. Họ là "matchmaker" — match yêu cầu script ("a remote island temple") với location thực ("Tam Coc Ninh Binh + CGI extension"). Quyết định scout này = quyết định visual identity của phim.
01Location Scout là ai?
Location Scout là chuyên gia tìm + đề xuất + đánh giá địa điểm quay phù hợp cho film/TV/commercial production. Phân loại theo project: (1) Feature film Location Scout — large project, scouting nationwide hoặc international; (2) TV series Location Scout — ongoing season, recurring location; (3) Commercial Location Scout — tight schedule, premium location; (4) Music video Location Scout — visually distinctive. Phân loại theo specialization: Urban scout (city, architecture), Wild scout (nature, remote), International scout (cross-country), VN-specialist (cho international project quay tại VN).
Khác với Location Manager (manage location after selected, contract, logistics) — Scout phase finding. Khác với Production Designer (design + dress set) — Scout find raw location. Khác với Photographer (photo only) — Scout evaluate full production feasibility. Hợp tác chặt với: Director, Production Designer, DP / Cinematographer, Location Manager, Producer / Line Producer, UPM, Permit office, Local fixer.
- Read script + interpret location need
- Travel + photograph location
- Evaluate production feasibility
- Present option to director
Gợi ý tìm ảnh
"film location scout camera photographing outdoor remote area scouting professional"
Location Scout — matchmaker giữa script + reality
Vị trí trong quy trình sản xuất
Location Scout work in pre-production early — 4-12 tuần before shoot. Báo cáo Location Manager hoặc UPM / Line Producer. Quy trình: receive script + visual reference từ director + Production Designer → travel scout potential location → photograph + document → present option → director select → handoff to Location Manager for contract + permit. Project: feature film 4-12 tuần scouting phase, TV episode 1-3 tuần, commercial 1-2 tuần. Fee: VN scout 8-25M/tháng full-time; freelance 1-5M/ngày + expense; international scout commercial $500-$2000/ngày.
02Công việc của một Location Scout
1. Read script + interpret location need
Receive script + visual reference (Director + Production Designer mood board). Identify location need per scene: type (urban / rural / interior / exterior), specific feature ("Buddhist temple với view ocean"), time-of-day, weather. Discuss với director — what mood, what story location should serve. Build scouting yêu cầu + priority list.
- Read script
- Identify need
- Scouting yêu cầu
Gợi ý tìm ảnh
"film location scout yêu cầu planning director reference mood board professional"
Yêu cầu + planning
2. Travel + photograph
Hit the road. Visit multiple potential location per criteria. Photograph extensively: 360-degree coverage of property, multiple angle, multiple time-of-day if possible. Capture detail: power source, parking, access road, neighborhood noise. Talk với owner about availability + general fee range. Cover 3-10 location per day depending area.
- Travel scout
- 360 photograph
- Owner contact
Gợi ý tìm ảnh
"film location scout photographing urban architecture city street professional"
Urban scout
Gợi ý tìm ảnh
"film location scout remote nature landscape mountain scouting professional"
Remote scout
3. Evaluate feasibility + document
Per location: assess logistics feasibility — access (truck pass through?), power (generator need?), bathroom + cell signal, parking for crew + equipment, distance from hotel. Permit ease — government / public / private land? Each has different process VN: government land cần permit Sở VH-TT-DL. Private land cần direct negotiation. Safety — terrain risk, weather, wildlife, neighborhood. Cost estimate. Document trong scout report: location name + GPS, photo set, pros + cons, feasibility note, cost estimate, contact info.
- Feasibility eval
- Permit research
- Scout report
Gợi ý tìm ảnh
"film location scout report document photo presentation professional"
Document + report
4. Present + tech scout + handoff
Present option to Director + Production Designer + DP. Build scout package with photo + report. Director shortlist 2-3 option per scene. Tech scout — escort director + DP + Production Designer + AD to physical visit shortlist (1-3 ngày). Make final decision. Handoff to Location Manager for contract, permit, neighbor notification, set dressing prep.
- Present option
- Tech scout
- Handoff Manager
Gợi ý tìm ảnh
"film tech scout director dp production designer location visit on site professional"
Tech scout
03Location Scout cần giỏi gì?
widgets
Photography + visual eye
movie
Film + script literacy
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Geography + cultural knowledge
widgets
Negotiation + relationship
assignment
Logistics + permit knowledge
bolt
Stamina + adventurous spirit
Photography + visual eye
Foundation. Strong photography skill — composition, light timing, capture space. Use full-frame DSLR / mirrorless (Sony A7, Canon R5) hoặc smartphone (iPhone Pro). Wide angle lens essential (16-35mm). Drone bonus for aerial. Train eye through visiting + photographing constantly.
Film + script literacy
Read script understand visual intent. Hiểu film grammar — what scene need. Watch lot of film + analyze location choice. Reference film constantly.
Geography + cultural knowledge
Master local geography — know region's distinct architecture, landscape, vibe. VN scout cần know: Bắc (Hạ Long, Ninh Bình, Sapa, Hà Giang ancient + dramatic), Trung (Hoi An, Hue colonial, Phong Nha cave), Nam (Mekong delta, Đà Lạt highland, Phú Quốc beach, Sài Gòn metropolis). Cultural sensitivity — temple etiquette, ethnic minority area protocol.
Negotiation + relationship
Talk to property owner — often skeptical of film crew. Build trust quickly. Negotiate rate. Maintain relationship for future project (location can recurr). Network of local fixer in each region — gold.
Logistics + permit knowledge
VN permit landscape: national heritage site cần Sở VH-TT-DL approval (months). Forest / national park cần Bộ NN-PTNT. Urban cần Sở GTVT for street closure. Each region office different. Build relationship với government office. International project: tax incentive + Film Office support (recent emergence in VN, see Vietnam Film Office).
Stamina + adventurous spirit
Job involve long drive (10+ hour/day), early morning + late night, remote area, unpredictable weather. Physical fitness + flexibility essential. Comfort sleeping in budget hotel + minimal amenity. Love travel + discovery.
04Làm cách nào để trở thành Location Scout?
1
Học Film / Photography / Geography / Tourism 2–4 năm
Background flexible: Film Production / Photography / Geography / Architecture / Tourism. VN: ĐH Sân khấu Điện ảnh, ĐH Khoa học Tự nhiên Địa lý. Quốc tế: USC, AFI, NYU film school. Thêm: passion for travel + photography essential.
2
Production Assistant / Location PA 1–3 năm
Khởi đầu: PA in location department. Assist Location Manager + Scout. Learn quy trình + permit process. VN: production company BHD, CJ HK Entertainment, Galaxy Studios, East Captain. Commercial production house. Xây dựng quan hệ + visit set.
3
Junior Scout + Build region knowledge
3-5 năm — take small scout assignment (low budget indie, commercial, music video). Travel + build personal portfolio of location across VN regions. Photograph constantly. Network with local fixer in each region.
4
Established Scout 5–10 năm
Trusted name. Mid-tier feature, premium commercial, TV series. International project (Kong, House of the Dragon-style with VN unit). Build relationship với Vietnam Film Office.
5
Senior Scout / Location Manager
10+ năm — Senior Scout hoặc transition to Location Manager (broader role include contract + permit + logistic). Promote ngà to Producer track possible.
6
Sự nghiệp Location Scout
Lộ trình dài hạn: (1) Senior Location Manager — A-list project; (2) VN local representative for international production — service company hosting Hollywood / international project (hot area với tax incentive); (3) Producer transition; (4) Founder local production company / fixer service; (5) Travel content creator — adjacent (similar skill); (6) Tourism consultant / location marketing — government tourism promotion. Lương: VN Scout junior 8-18M/tháng; mid 18-40M; senior 40M-90M+ + per-project bonus. International scout in VN $1500-$5000/tuần. Demand boom với VN attracting international project + local industry growing. Adventurous + creative career.
EaEnvironment ArtistCảnh quan, level, kiến trúc
HsHard Surface ArtistVũ khí, xe, thiết bị, máy móc
