Location Scout and Risk Assessment

This blog post, written by me (Beatrice), details the location scout and risk assessments that my team and I have carefully considered and selected for the filming of our documentary. All the images provided were captured by me.

As we plan to shoot our documentary using the school's setting, every location for the production process will be within the school's environment. Here is the link to our school's location and website.

Location 1
Location:	Classroom
Events in scene:	Interview location for student and investigator > reinforce the narrative within the documentary. It also enhances the realism of the investigation process.
Pros of location:	- It is an accurate depiction of a school setting. - Enhances the mise-en-scene by visually representing the visually representing the school's authority, adding the depth to the narrative. - The classroom symbolizes order and control, which may emphasize the investigator's role in restoring justice in a chaotic situation.
Cons of location:	- Classroom may be occupied even after school thus may require us to find empty classrooms or following the class' schedule prior to filming. - The setting might not fully align with the medical aspects of the crime which makes it feel disconnected from the focus on the clinic. - Noise and echo from closed rooms.
Alternatives:	- Music room can be a good alternative because it offers less echo since there is sound absorption panels that line the room's wall. However, it may be hard to schedule the shoot there because it is often occupied even after school hours for band practice. - Hallways / corridors can be used to provide interesting and unique mise-en-scene. However, it may be quite hard as students often walks around and it would be difficult to control them during the shoot.
Risk Assessment
Potential hazards:	- Classrooms can be cluttered with desks, chairs, and other objects which can limit camera placement and movements > may restrict the use of certain camera angles, making it difficult to frame shots effectively. - Having charging cables, extender, and other equipment lying on the classroom's floor.
Evaluate risks:	- Background distractions : Cluttered settings may lead to unintended background distractions which can result in poor visual clarity. - Tripping hazards and broken equipment : If someone trips, it could lead to injury or damage to expensive equipment like cameras, phone or tab. This will lead to production delays, putting the project off schedule and over budget.
Control measures:	- Conduct a thorough mise-en-scene analysis of the classroom by removing / rearranging distracting objects to create a cleaner, neutral background. - Route cables along the edges of the room where possible, keeping them out of walkways to avoid trips. This will maintain a safe mise-en-scene, allowing us to move around easier. - Rearrange the classroom layout to create a controlled mise-en-scene. Create space for camera movement by clearing unnecessary furniture or props.
Responsibility:	My teammates and I, anyone present during the shooting process.
Time frame:	During lunch break around 1.05 - 1.45 p.m. / dismissal around 3.30 p.m.
Other notes:	-

Location 2
Location:	School's Clinic
Events in scene:	- The interview with the nurse > to reinforce their professional authority. - Re-enactment of perpetrator (student) tampering with medication.
Pros of location:	- Often quiet by the end of the day as most students already went home. - We're able to request the room to be occupied during the filming process with permission from clinic staff/teachers, allowing us to have privacy and increase the succession of getting the perfect footage as there is no disturbance. - Helps to add depth to the mise-en-scene by visually reinforcing the medical theme. - provides a sense of verisimilitude (realism) - Heightening dramatic tension by using the contrast between the dark subject matter (crime) and the sterile clinic.
Cons of location:	- The clinical background may sometimes divert attention from the nurse's interview if there's an excess medical equipment in the background. - Overreliance on clinical setting can lead to visual monotony, reducing the overall impact of the scene. - Strong echo is likely to occur as it is a small, enclosed room. - Concerns about cleanliness and safety > the clinic might not be in optimal condition after filming.
Alternatives:	Since we plan to shoot within the school setting and have confirmed that the school's clinic will be available, we didn't give much thought to other options. However, if the clinic becomes unavailable, alternatives such as classroom or corridors could be considered as back up locations. Shooting in similar locations related to our documentary like hospital would be nearly impossible due to difficulties in gaining permission to film and meddle with the medications, which may not be appropriate.
Risk Assessment
Potential hazards:	- Charging cables and cable extender on the floor. - Lots of medical equipment and tools that may be dangerous.
Evaluate risks:	- Medicine being misplaced : since we have a scene involving the re-enactment of the perpetrator tampering with / taking out the medicine, there is a risk that the medicine could be misplaced when returned to the storage if it's not properly checked. - Tripping hazards : since the clinic is a rather small room and there were charging cables on the floor as well as cable extender for the computers in the clinic, people might accidentally trip and fall if they aren't walking properly.
Control measures:	- Ensure careful handling and watch back the video recording or memorize which part of the storage was the medicine taken from to avoid any mix-ups or errors to the medicine's placement. - Handling of any medical equipment should only be done under adult supervision or permission. - We need to be extra cautious of our surroundings to avoid the risk of tripping over any objects or equipment that may be lying around the clinic during filming. Proper awareness will help prevent accidents and ensure a smooth shoot.
Responsibility:	My teammates and I, anyone present during the shooting process.
Time frame:	After school, around 3.30 p.m.
Other notes:	-

Reflection : Given that the theme of our documentary revolves around a crime occurring within a school setting, we've decided to use our school, Regents Secondary School as our filming location. I think this choice simplifies the process, as it eliminates the need for travel and allows us to use any available students as actors if any of our cast members become unavailable. Additionally, shooting during break times or dismissal periods will enable us to promptly discuss and further develop the documentary once we are done filming.