#26: Adam Betterton, Location Manager - Navigating Film Locations and Career Paths

Join us as we sit down with Adam Betterton, an experienced location manager known for his work on projects like Jurassic World Dominion, Killing Eve, and Black Mirror. In this episode, Adam shares his journey into the film industry, the critical role of a location manager, and how he has helped others break into the field. Adam discusses the importance of tenacity, creativity, and practical problem-solving in scouting and managing locations. Learn about the challenges, rewards, and surprising aspects of working behind the scenes in film locations, including navigating council regulations and finding the perfect spots for complex scenes. Aspiring filmmakers will gain valuable insights into why starting in location management can be a fantastic entry point into the industry, offering unique opportunities to network, develop a deep understanding of film production logistics, and see some of the most extraordinary places. Discover the unseen career path that is essential to the success of any film production. Key Lessons • Persistence Pays Off: Adam stresses the importance of persistence in location scouting. Keep knocking on doors and following up to find the perfect spot and build lasting relationships. • Practical Creativity: Adam highlights balancing creativity with practicality. A location must not only look great but also be logistically feasible for the crew and equipment. • Networking and Mentorship: Adam shares a story about helping a Starbucks employee break into the film industry. This underscores the value of networking and mentorship, showing how strong connections and a good work ethic can open doors in unexpected ways. Resources • Lavish Locations: An agency specializing in residential properties. https://lavishlocations.com/ • National Trust: For finding stately homes and larger historical sites. https://www.nationaltrustimages.org.u... • Facebook Groups: Such as "Location Department Juniors," which offer a platform for networking and information sharing among film professionals, facilitating job opportunities and community support.   / 7xxpb1aonhwhgbpa   Filmmaking Framed is proudly supported by Centroid Motion Capture, a leader in providing state-of-the-art motion capture technology to the entertainment industry. https://www.centroid3d.com/ 00:00:00 - The role of the location manager in film production 00:12:36 - The challenge of finding locations in film production 00:15:09 - Understanding the Importance of Details in the Itinerary 00:20:38 - The Journey of Location Crew Roles: From Manual Labour to Supervising Location Manager 00:25:35 - Learning and growing in the film industry 00:33:46 - The importance of local knowledge for location scouts 00:37:30 - How do you become known as a location assistant in the film industry? 00:45:16 - The Reality of Working on Location Sets in the Film Industry 00:51:34 - Fixing Mistakes on Set: Practical Solutions for Location Managers 00:56:24 - Tales and Memories from Filming Locations