Jean Michel gathers ideas and does research utilizing resources such as the internet, specialised location libraries, local and regional film commissions, and agencies. He also visits and photographs places within budget to determine their suitability.
He also makes preliminary inquiries about access, parking, and location use, research useful guidance and logistics involving potential locations, and makes bookings and travel arrangements as needed, such as flights, hotels, and transportation. He also teams up with key members of the production team to assess visual and technical specifications.
Jean Michel ensures that no disturbing noises or events occur during the shoot and negotiates access and sets up a contract with location owners, as well as organizing access permissions, such as with local authorities and the police. He schedules and keeps everyone informed about staff arrival dates and times, ensures technical specifications for equipment, power supplies, and ensures crew accommodation on site are met, ensures compliance with health, safety, and security regulations, and conducts risk assessments.
Jean Michel sends maps and directions to locations, sometimes known as movement orders, to guarantee that all services and crews get at their destinations as quickly, safely, and directly as possible, and to provide relevant support information to all services and crew. He also works with the assistant director to plan the day’s schedule, manages the site on the day and resolves practical or people-related issues that emerge, and supervises location, support employees throughout the process.
Jean Michel interacts with members of the public who may intrude on a location, ensures the final cleanup (‘the wrapping’) runs smoothly and thanks site owners for their help.