Get Certified in Location Scouting

Taught by John Rakich, a veteran location manager who has worked on the TV series THE CHANGELING, SEE, SHADOWHUNTERS, GRAND ARMY, OCTOBER FACTION, THE EXPANSE, and more. John is currently the President of the Location Managers Guild International.

In this certification course, you’ll learn the overall fundamentals of Location Scouting for a film or TV series. This knowledge will allow you to contribute on any production team and is a critical step toward becoming a location manager who can work on any size production for film or television.

A location scout finds the filming locations for a movie or TV show. Location scouting involves finding locations, taking suitable photos to present to key creatives, researching, managing a database of potential locations, and working with property owners, managers, and neighbors as well as municipalities and government agencies, to find the best location options for the production team. 

The course will cover:

• The Basics Of Location Scouting
  • What is a Film Location?
  • Why Film on location?
  • What is Location Scouting?
  • Who do Location Scouts scout for?
• The Scouting Process
  • Understanding Scripts
  • Location Breakdowns
• Scouting Techniques
  • Types of Scouting
  • Resources
  • Protocol
  • Safety
• Photography Of Locations
  • Scope
  • Camera Settings
  • Shooting Techniques
  • Presentation

What is Individual Certification?

Individual Certification is a single course centered around one subject. Upon the completion of this course you will be Stage 32 Certified in this area of production. (To be Master Certified in a particular area of expertise, please see the Master Certification section of the platform.)

After viewing the course you will be given a test of your knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. You have the ability to pause your course and go back to review sections as you are learning. You will be given three attempts to take the test. If you do not pass the test after the third time you will need to re-enroll in the course.

Once you pass the test you will be issued a Stage 32 Certificate recognizing your efforts in passing the course. You will also be listed in our master database accessible by film commissions, productions and any executives that are looking for talent. You will also receive a Stage 32 Certification badge that will be added to your Stage 32 profile, so people who are hiring on Stage 32 will know that you have completed a Stage 32 Certification course.

In addition to Stage 32, we highly recommend you post your Stage 32 Certificate on your LinkedIn and other social media profiles.

About the Instructor

John Rakich has been working for over 20 years as a Location Scout and Location Manager with numerous credits spanning feature film and television projects, such as THE CHANGELING, SEE, SHADOWHUNTERS, THE EXPANSE, and more. John is a long-time member of the Directors Guild of Canada in the Ontario District Council and a board member and their current Locations Caucus Representative. He is also the current President of the Location Managers Guild International.

(Payment plans available at checkout)