By Tom Crooke

10 tips for location scouting within independent schools.

Capturing the essence of an independent school on video is more than just pointing and shooting; it’s about crafting a visual narrative. The perfect backdrop can turn a standard marketing video into a captivating story that speaks to potential parents and students.

Whether you’re collaborating with a professional production team or crafting content in-house, thoughtful location scouting can be transformative. Here are ten practical ideas to help you find and leverage the best filming spots within your school.

Start with your storytelling objectives.

Before reaching for your camera or clipboard, establish the story you’re set to portray. Each location in your video should align with your narrative:

  • Academic excellence? Focus on engaged classroom settings, well-equipped labs, or students collaborating in learning spaces.
  • Pastoral care? Consider intimate counselling areas, house common rooms, or places where staff and students engage naturally.
  • Sports prowess? Highlight your best pitches, courts, pools, or training facilities to showcase both facilities and action.
  • Creative arts? Explore rehearsal spaces, studios, galleries, and performance venues that emphasise student creativity.

Choose locations that vividly reinforce your school’s unique selling points and values. Think about what prospective parents want to see most and make those areas a priority.

Scout during optimal light conditions.

Timing is crucial in video production. Visit potential locations at a similar time of day to your filming plan:

  • Morning light (7-10am) provides a clean, crisp quality ideal for establishing shots of buildings and grounds.
  • Midday sun can create challenging shadows, making indoor filming a better option during these hours.
  • The late afternoon “golden hour” (1-2 hours before sunset) offers warm, flattering light, perfect for exterior architecture and playing fields.

Take notes on how light shifts across your campus. Which buildings thrive in the morning sun? Where do pleasing shadows play in the afternoon? A north-facing classroom could be dull all day, while a west-facing library might be stunning at 4pm.

Prioritise rooms with natural light.

Natural light brings out a warm, inviting atmosphere that artificial lighting often lacks. When scouting indoor locations:

  • Opt for rooms with large windows and minimal coverings.
  • Corner rooms typically benefit from light coming from multiple directions.
  • Modern, renovated spaces usually offer superior lighting compared to older buildings.
  • Steer clear of rooms where strong backlighting could silhouette your subjects.

A room with great natural light but unsuitable décor might just need a furniture rearrangement for shooting. Sometimes a minor tweak can turn a typical room into a superb filming location.

Consider sound quality and potential disruptions.

The most visually striking location can be unusable due to sound issues. While scouting, pay attention to:

  • External noise sources (e.g., roads, playgrounds, sports fields, building works)
  • Internal systems (e.g., HVAC, refrigeration, printers, servers)
  • Acoustic challenges (e.g., echoes in large halls, reverberation from hard surfaces)

The best filming spot marries visual appeal with sound suitability. Spend at least a minute in each space, eyes closed, simply listening. You might notice distracting sounds that weren’t immediately obvious.

Also check scheduled activities. A classroom that’s quiet now might not be during the scheduled band practice next door during your shoot time.

Identify your “wow factor” spaces.

Every school boasts signature spaces that exude character and quality. Examples include:

  • A historic chapel or hall with striking architecture
  • Advanced science or technology facilities
  • A particularly picturesque library or study space
  • Excellent sports facilities like pools or cricket pavilions
  • Unique outdoor areas like walled gardens or woodland classrooms

These standout locations should feature prominently in your shoot plan. They help convey your school’s identity and offer memorable visual hooks for your audience.

However, balance them with authentic, everyday locations to avoid projecting an image disconnected from real school life.

Choose appropriate interview settings.

Interviews form the base of many school marketing videos. Opt thoughtfully:

  • Find quiet places with minimal interruptions.
  • Choose backgrounds that provide context (e.g., a science head in a lab, a music teacher near instruments).
  • Ensure enough space for camera setup and proper framing.
  • Avoid busy or distracting backgrounds.
  • Pick comfortable surroundings where interviewees feel at ease.

Ideal interview spots allow subjects to engage seamlessly with their environment while offering technical filming benefits. Repositioning a headteacher’s desk near a window, showing school grounds, can create compelling video compositions.

Map out pedestrian traffic patterns.

Understanding movement through your school is vital:

  • Busy corridors might showcase “school in action” footage but are tough for controlled shoots.
  • Dining halls have predictable busy times.
  • Reception areas often have constant visitor traffic.
  • Certain outdoor paths crowd during lesson changes.

Sometimes, capturing this buzz is the point; other times, it’s best avoided. Align your filming schedule with these patterns. Filming an empty building might suit lesson times, while the vibrant student life requires filming during breaks.

Plan for weather contingencies.

British weather necessitates backup plans, especially for outdoor locations:

  • Identify indoor alternatives for key outdoor scenes.
  • Note which outdoor areas have shelters nearby.
  • Realise how different weather conditions could enhance certain settings (light rain on historic buildings can turn atmospheric).

Remember, weather alters both comfort and lighting. Overcast days offer soft, diffused light, often ideal for exterior shots, while bright sunlight can create tricky high-contrast scenes.

Document everything thoroughly.

Efficient scouting relies on detailed record-keeping:

  • Capture photos from various angles.
  • Note lighting at different times.
  • Record potential sound issues.
  • Identify nearby power sources.
  • Pinpoint possible camera positions.
  • Document any necessary permissions.

This record is valuable when finalising your shoot plan, particularly if collaborating with an external team. Share your notes and images with all project members to ensure a collective understanding of each location’s nuances.

Create a logical filming route.

Finally, craft an efficient route through your chosen sites:

  • Group nearby locations to minimise equipment moves.
  • Schedule based on key spaces’ optimal lighting.
  • Plan around your school timetable to capture specific activities.
  • Allow adequate setup time for complex shots.
  • Factor in buffer time for unforeseen delays.

A well-planned filming route boosts efficiency, enabling you to capture more content swiftly.

By embracing these ten location scouting principles, your independent school marketing videos will showcase your facilities superbly, creating content that resonates with potential families while accurately reflecting your school’s unique charm and offerings.

For Unlimited Video content from your next shoot day, get in touch today.

Reference links:

  • https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/location-scouting-tips/
  • https://nofilmschool.com/10-location-scouting-tips
  • https://www.videomaker.com/how-to/shooting/11-tips-for-location-scouting/
  • https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-scout-locations
  • https://www.schoolbag.pro/blog/10-tips-for-photographing-schools
  • https://filmlifestyle.com/location-scouting/
  • https://www.bfi.org.uk/education-research/education/educational-resources