HOW TO SHOOT A PHOTOFILE

(to International Film Commission Standards)

The Film Industry expects location information in the standard location file format shown in the file assembly guide.

Film: ASA 400

Location photofiles must show all aspects of the recommended location. They are not "postcards" showing only pretty views or distinctive features. They are an organized photographic documenting of the entire location including background views and reverses. (Reverses are the location as seen from two opposite viewpoints.) This allows the production company to see all the potential of the location.

Before you start to photograph the property consider what unique qualities the property possesses. Try to record the uniqueness of the location.

Do a walk-through first, to familiarize yourself with the property. Think of the photos you will need to take as you go. Remember: -The producer has never seen this property before so be as thorough-, as you can. The entire photofile is the art, not the individual images.)

A light meter is an asset to find an aperture setting that will tolerate light conditions for the full set of pictures. Keep your camera at one f-stop throughout the shoot, and vary only your exposure times.
Now go back to the entrance and start shooting. First take an establishing shot, which is one photo of the exterior of the location. This may go on the cover of the file.
You will walk through your location taking multiple panorama shots with the camera held in the vertical or "portrait" position. To fill the frame, shoot the important features, i.e. not the sky.
Thoroughly document the location, shooting with logical assembly of the file in mind (e.g. -exteriors then interiors).
Photos must be shot in a pivoting panorama style.
Stand in one spot and pan by moving the camera in the same direction to capture the breadth of the area. After each shot, DON'T MOVE, first check the edges of the frame, then pan to allow slight overlap of the image. Generally you should be able to cover 18O degrees in about eight shots. Avoid long pans as they will be difficult to handle in the assembly.
After each sequence, you will take a "reverse" pan by walking over to the opposite side and taking a pan of the area you were just standing in, Red circles indicating relative camera positions can be informative and helpful.

ASSEMBLING THE PHOTOFILE
Use a legal size white folder (8 1/2" x 14"). Arrange the photos so the property appears in a sweeping, continuous panorama style.
Start at the front of the building and move in. The first page of the location file should generally have the front exterior, the second page just inside the front door and the third page the "reverse" pan of the second page and so on. Try to duplicate as closely as possible the experience of someone arriving at the location and walking through.
Tape the backs of the photos. Fold photos extending beyond the folder at the taped hinge.
Glue down each panorama onto the file folder.
If necessary, use halves of the file folders as dividers for extra photos.
Photo negatives are handy for the film commission library. Keep them on file as you may have requests for the same location by different producers at the same time. As well, in case of loss or damage, one can always duplicate the file if you have the negatives.
Accumulate as much information as possible on the subject headings, contact name and number, who took th4'photos, when they were taken, negatives numbers. Standardized data sheets and. header tabs are one way to record this information. (See data sheet on the attached sample photofile.)

CHECK LIST OF SUPPLIES TO MAKE A PHOTOFILE

SUBJECT FILES -Location Library