1) Can you help me find a location for my shoot?
Yup! Just send me an email at nycscout@gmail.com with the details. Please be sure to include your budget.
2) What is this blog about?
I work as a film location scout in New York City. My day is spent combing the streets for interesting and unique locations for feature films. I started this blog to document the interesting things I come across in my travels.
3) What is this blog not about?
This is not a blog documenting the behind-the-scenes action on the films I work on. I never post pictures of any location that is actively being considered for inclusion in a feature film, or a location I was granted special access to without permission.
4) Are you willing to be interviewed? Would you write an article for an outside publication? How about a speaking engagement?
Yes, yes, and yes – just shoot me an email at nycscout@gmail.com. For a list of Scouting NY appearances in the media, click here.
5) Is there a map that would make it easier to find the places and things you’ve written about?
6) How do you become a location scout?
I’m not really sure – most scouts (including myself) seem to have just fallen into it by accident. I tell people that if they’re really interested and live in major cities, they should write to their local Mayor’s Office of Film/TV/Theater and ask for a list of productions shooting in the area. Get the fax numbers and send over a resume addressed to the Location Department asking for scouting work. Though you can mention your abilities as a photographer, it’s far more important to stress your knowledge of the city and your social skills. Most scouts work with point-and-click cameras.
-SCOUT (1/9/14)
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I saw a tiny bit of the CBS program which prompted me to search the subject and find your blog. I think it’s wonderful to discover the unknown jobs people have, that are unique to their talents and interests, in addition to exploring and preserving history and supplying an important need. I’m a fan! Thank you for sharing!
Hi! Great website! Do you ever give walking tours of NYC?
Hey! I must say I really like your blogs and I am truly impressed with all these findings you get. And it’s amazing that you keep discovering more. I was curious though…
I’m always looking for places to just take pictures for fun, because I had a photography film class and would like to improve on what I learned. Unfortunately, I really don’t want to have to pay to take pictures for fun so I was wondering if most of the places that you post on are free to roam, so to say? For example, the “abandoned splendor at 5 Beekman Street” is one place I would like to go inside of, an insane asylum or an abandoned theme park… just any other property places. I would greatly appreciate a list of places that I can freely go to if you don’t mind. Thank you in advanced!
Hi Scout…
Would you mind sharing with us your all-time favorite movie? I’m dying to know, and I’m sure I’m not the only one…
Hello Scout….
I was wondering how can i get a job in the scout location field? I currently live in Orlando Fl and I have alot of locations here and want to show to film makers please send me an email and let me know…
Thank You
I own a brownstone in Bklyn. How do I get it considered for a filming site?
I’m looking for a brownstone in Brooklyn for an upcoming film. If you’re want to talk email me at shortsprojectcolumbia@gmail.com
I am also looking for a brownstone in Brooklyn for an upcoming feature film (and we have a decent location budget). Would be needed from approx. May 29 – June 20. If interested, please email me at somevelvet12@gmail.com
Thanks!
Tim
Hi,
I’m shooting for three days at the end of August. I’d love to consider your brownstone. Could you email a couple of Pictures? Looking forward to hearing from you.
I don’t mind the filming, nor do I mind the street closures while filming. I can deal with those inconveniences. However, I cannot take the PAs that walk around like they own the block and are just so damn nasty to passerbys. It would be very easy to say, “I’m sorry sir, but we’re filming a movie and the block is currently closed. I am so sorry for the inconvenience” instead of saying (paraphrasing) “Get off this block You have no right to be here. We are filming a movie.” Argh! Definately a pet peeve of mine.
please send me this link . i would like to make presentation
Hi Nick,
Love your site. Just came across some of the pictures you took a while back at 5 beekman.
Can you please tell me if this s a place that you can still walk into today.
Thank you!
Best,
Helene.
what is the address of alder manor??? Looks like the perfect place for my wedding next year!!!
Hi there. I have lived on West 21 Street, NYC (between 7th and 8th Avenues) for over 30 years, and I have always been fascinated by photos and day-to-day life stories of old NYC. My problem is most of the photos available are the generic ones of the major NYC sights (Times Square, Madison Square Park, Central Park, etc.). I would LOVE to locate old photos of Chelsea, and perhaps even of my street (late 1800’s to very early 1900’s would be great). Can you recommend someplace where photos such as these might exist? I have visited The Museum of the City of NY as well as the NYC Historical Society, but surprisingly their photo collection is quite limited. The only “old” photo I located of my street was from the Tax Assessment Office which seemed to take photos of all properties in I believe the 1940’s. Any help you can provide me with would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I was contacted by a location scout today, who left a letter for me. She came over after I called back and took many many pictures to see if the production company is interested in using my home, interior and exterior for a movie, named in the letter. I am feeling a little nervous after speaking to friends that I let someone in who took a lot of pictures of my house. Are there location scout scams? i live in an affluent neighborhood. I found material about the film mentioned in the letter on the internet and this sounds genuine. I looked up the name of the company, which is responsible for seeking the location, and it is listed on the net and the address corresponds to the letter, although they don’t put the name of the company on the letter. Are there things I can do to make sure, if they do call again and ask to explore it further, to make sure that they are genuine? I could call the Mayor’s office of Film, etc. to check on them. Anything else?
Hi Susan –
Nope, you should be good. Calling the Mayor’s Office authenticates the production. If you want to be absolutely sure, get the phone number from the production office from the Mayor’s Office, call and ask for the Location Department, and verify the scout actually works for the production – but they almost assuredly do.
I have another question regarding the situation mentioned above. If, after seeing the photos the scout took of my home, the production company is interested in using the interior, and come for a further look, is there anything which would help with my house getting the part, aside from things I cannot control, like dimensions, etc. Is there anything I could or should do to prepare?
Also, will the production and the company be listed with the Mayor’s office before they have locations?
You’ve done a great job with both your website and the services you offer through this site. Well done Mr.Carr, well done indeed.
Cyril Loreau
Location Manager
Quebec Film and Television Council
There’s a sound installation under a grate in Times Square facing the red steps that I enjoy introducing friends to. A few days ago I googled “secret places in Times Square” to see if it was mentioned, stumbled upon your blog, and I’ve been kind of obsessed with it since. I love discovering hidden treasures like the ones you write about! I know it’s not your regular gig, but have you thought about writing a book?
I am enjoying your beautiful blog! Nice to see that others appreciate NYC historical architecture as I do. Was wondering if you have written about the Victorian bldg. sitting in lower Manhattan, TriBeCa ( I think it was), that was used for exterior shots of the sorcerer’s emporium in The Sorceror’s Apprentice? I found it’s location by using GoogleEarth. It was for sale when I found it, a while back. The old subway shots in the movie were fascinating, as well.
Hi,
I have a colleague that is looking to get her very large kitchen listed for potential use. Although we work in advertising / commercial production, I don’t often shoot locally. What’s the best way for someone to get a location ‘listed’ somewhere?
Thanks!
Sam
Hello, I am an artist and prop stylist (20 years in the industry). I have a very groovy artist’s studio in Williamsburg filled with finished art and work in progress and props. I am interested in making it available as a location. How do I get the ball rolling? Thank you for your time,
Lynda