This year, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Bolton International Film Festival, and it was nothing short of amazing. With 250 short films screened throughout the festival, I was blown away by the creativity and talent on display. But beyond the films, my main goal was to introduce a unique service to directors, producers, and especially location scouts and managers: film location virtual tours.
For those who might not be familiar, the job of a location scout or manager involves visiting numerous potential locations, evaluating their suitability, and then reporting back to producers, set designers, and directors. This process can be time-consuming and costly. That’s where film location virtual tours come in.
Streamlining the Location Scouting Process
By offering virtual tours of a curated set of locations, we can save everyone involved precious time and money. Instead of flying out a whole team to visit a location, these key players can explore the site from the comfort of their own offices. A virtual tour provides all the details – panoramic views, exact measurements, and immersive 3D visuals – so the team can make informed decisions without ever stepping foot on-site. Once a location is selected, the same tour can be repurposed for the film crew to plan their shots, calculate logistics, and even measure how much space they have to work with.
In effect, this service acts as a behind the scenes virtual tour, giving production crews the power to plan their shoots without needing an on-site visit. From scouting to shot planning, the benefits of this service were clear to everyone I spoke with.
Meeting Inspiring Filmmakers and Festival Highlights
Aside from showcasing these virtual tours, I had the chance to meet some truly inspiring individuals. Festival director Adrian Barber and Zoe Rothwell were fantastic hosts, and I connected with several filmmakers who are pushing boundaries in the world of short films. Their creativity and passion made the experience all the more rewarding.
Among the films I saw, a few stood out as personal favourites:
The Future of Virtual Tours in Filmmaking
The feedback I received from location managers, directors, and producers was overwhelmingly positive. Many were excited about how film location virtual tours could revolutionize the way they plan and execute their productions. The convenience, cost-efficiency, and flexibility of behind the scenes virtual tours are game-changers, and I’m excited to see how this service will help filmmakers streamline their creative process.
Attending the Bolton International Film Festival was not only a chance to enjoy brilliant films but also an opportunity to showcase a service that I believe will become an industry standard in no time. I’m already looking forward to next year’s festival and all the new connections, films, and innovations it will bring!
Ready to streamline your location scouting and shoot planning? If you’re a location manager and want to discover how I can save you and your crew time, while making the entire process more efficient by using film location virtual tours, let’s chat! Get in touch with me today and see how virtual tours can transform the way you select film locations and plan your shoots. Click here to start the conversation!