MaPiTo LOCATION SCOUT OF THE MONTHS, Frans van den Bemd, Netherlands
In every newsletter we will from now on present a location scout from somewhere in the world. The same or similar questions will be asked so you can compare answers and conditions.
This month we meet
Frans van den Bemd, Netherlands.
LoM. How long have you worked with locations?
Frans. 21 years, since 1991
LoM. What prompted you to start with locations?
Frans. I started in the top fashion photography as a 1st assistant photographer travelling every month between Amsterdam, Milan and Paris I later moved to Sydney to become a photographer myself. I have realised that travelling is in my veins. At the age of 13 I loved hunting and the outdoors. Now I hunt with a camera, with a layout and client and of course with a deadline.
LoM. What are the challanges when you're on a job?
Frans To find a location as perfect as in the lay-out, or if possible even better, higher, deeper or more modern as in the sketch or moodboard.
Building bridges and making things possible, with respect.
LoM. What would make you quit as a location scout?
Nothing.
Even today each new project, an event or a photo shoot, a commercial or a viral, FB or internet is an exciting job.
This work gives me energy, to research or scout and prepare for the guests and the crew/client, and when finally the shoot starts I feel like KING KONG with cocaine, unfortunately like with any drug it's temporary and the joy is only short, but you always want more, just like a child, always more.
There is nothing wrong with working long days, since we live a diferent life, but you should take care of your body and put it in a garage every now and then otherwise it will get troubled one day.
LoM. Can you name any specific locations that you found and feel extra proud of?
Frans. A skycraper, under construction, this in combination with another location; a super modern airport, 1 project.
Just one week before 9/11 I had found both locations, upon departure our flight to Chicago was cancelled, we all know why.
I had to start all over again with my strange questions over the phone somewhere else in the world to make the deadline happen on time and find new locations in Asia.
Lay-out Vs location
LoM. What do you think about the future of location scouts? Frans. This profession will only exist for some few scouts, the job will no longer be needed.
I was one of the first, I worked with ego which grew, budgets grew, clients wanted the best and project became extremely expensive. 'the Advertising industry is responsible for the crisis', I once read, it made me think. Today there are so many new ways of bringing a product to the attention of people. Online together with social media there lies a new challange how to come up with new ideas and for producers a totally new way of producing all this content. Experienced people are lacking here.
Budgets will grow again, but scouts will disappear, there are too many databases and locations available for clients to research themselves.
Location management in this changing world will be needed. With all the guidelines and rules, the world becomes a tougher workplace.
LoM. Do you have a dream location that you have not yet found?
Frans. No.
LoM. What is your most important working tool?
Perseverance, self-confidence, power plus the eyes.
LoM. Do you co-operate with other location scouts?
Frans. Of course, together you are stronger, not only faster but also more professional. You can split the workload, and sharing makes you feel good.
LoM. Do you think there is tough competition in the Netherlands for location scouts?
Frans. Absolutely, but not only among the scouts, also internationally among the production companies (our potential clients). Productions are also being moved to Eastern Europe.
LoM. What do you estimate is the normal daily fee for a location scout in Nederlands?
Frans. € 425,--
LoM. How is overtime compensated for?
Frans. € 50,-- p/h after working 10 hrs.
LoM. When you rent a location, what's normally included in the price?
Frans. Now we are in a different job, you're asking about location management and each location is a custom made job and has it's own contract and negotiations with the location owners, residents and municipality or commune.
LoM. What features do you think are the best in Locamundo.com?
Frans. Location albums.
LoM. Are there any features you miss in Locamundo.com and that you would like to see in the future?
Frans. I am happy.
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| Frans Taking off |
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