Setting is key in any story, whether you’re talking novels or films. Setting is what gives a story a sense of place, ambience, mood and texture, so picking the right location is everything. Stories set in New Orleans are vastly different from those set in New York or Hong Kong. Even neighborhoods have different nuances—think Chinatown versus Greektown or Queens versus the Bronx.
Writers bring settings to life through words and descriptions. Everything from the locale to the climate to the house a character lives in is part of setting of the story. The best way to create a compelling setting is to get a clear idea of it in your head, whether it’s a real place or not. But how do you do that?
The answer can be answered by looking at the film business.
The job that works with setting the most is that of location scout. They are people whose job it is to find the perfect places to film. Anywhere that is going to serve as a setting for the film—towns, mountains, rivers, houses—you name it. If it’s described in the script, scouts will find it for the production.
Location scouting is part of the pre-production process—the work that comes before the cameras roll. They rely on the author or screenwriter’s work, reading the detailed descriptions of the location and all it contains. Then they go out to find places in the real world that imitates the fictional world of the book.
But why am I talking about location scouting in a writing blog? Because the tricks location scouts use to find the right setting are equally helpful when creating the perfect setting in your story. This is how a location scout works. They:
Travel
It’s not enough to just imagine a place or Google it. Location scouts get out in the world and track down the perfect settings. It’s the only way to make sure the place fits and to get the details right.
Take Pictures
When they find potential locations, they take pictures. Copious amounts of pictures. Every angle. Every aspect. Every time of day. They leave nothing to chance.
Take Notes
Then they annotate their photos with ideas and comments, so they don’t forget and so they can answer any questions the director might have.
Note the Light
The light in Madrid is different from the light in Seattle. It pays to notice how the light changes colors in the area and how it affects the general mood of a place.
Mark Up the Script
Notes aren’t enough. They go to the script and mark it up, showing how the location fits and what might need to be changed. They draft descriptions to add to the margins.
Capture Emotions
Facts are great, but it is the emotion and feel of a place that makes it perfect. Good location scouts will keep track of how a place feels and how they respond to it.
Collect Materials
They pick up every brochure, flyer or book they can find on the location, particularly those with photos and descriptions. Guidebooks are helpful here.
Watch Films & Videos
It’s not enough to see the place. Location scouts will look at how the location appears on film in whatever kind of video they can find. This helps them find the right spot to set up the cameras and to check for issues, like modern buildings poking out behind period homes.
Read Biographies
Stories set in the area, especially true stories, are great for finding hidden treasures to film. It also offers personal descriptions of the place.
Listen to Local Music
Some go so far as to listen to local music to get into the feel of a place. Nothing gives a better sense of place than listening to someone like Iz in Hawaii or Edith Piaf in Paris. It adds depth to the visual.
Listen to Ambient Noise
It’s important to listen to the place too. Is it filled with car noise and crowds or birds and the whispering wind? Is sound in the building muffled or loud? Is there an echo or hollowness?
Examine the Elements
Cameras are not fond of sea spray or rain, so it’s important to note them. Cold and heat have different challenges. Climate is always a concern.
Sketch a Map or Floor Plan
They often create quick sketches to keep specific settings in mind. It helps when planning shots and how scenes will play out. It also helps with travel to and from other locations. Direction also matters. Is one location north or south of the other? Is it up or down geographically?
Keep a Journal
They collect their findings in a journal or binder to present to the director. It doesn’t matter how many notes or photos they take if they can’t find them afterward.
Go out and scout locations for your story. Keep good records and use them to describe your setting clearly and in detail. Happy scouting!