NYC Location Scout
A NYC location scout finds places in New York City that match your creative brief and schedule, photographs them, and checks that the owner, building and city requirements work for a shoot. Brendan Locations scouts for commercials, brand campaigns, photo shoots and TV, then stays on through owner agreements, permits, parking and shoot-day location management.
What a NYC location scout does for you
A location scout turns a creative brief into places you can book. You get options that can actually be shot, not just pictures that look right.
What we scout
We scout interiors and exteriors across the city. Common themes include:
- Warehouses and industrial lofts
- Rooftops
Each option is presented on its own terms. The brief decides which one fits.
What you get from a scout
Each scout comes back with:
- A photo package for every location
From scout to shoot day
Finding the place is only the first step. We stay on the job through wrap, so you work with one team from the first scout to the last truck out. See the full list on our services page.
- Owner negotiations and location agreements. We agree terms with owners and put them in writing.
- Permits, parking and paperwork. We work out what the shoot needs and take care of it.
- Neighbor and building relations. We talk to neighbors and building staff before the trucks arrive.
- On-the-day location management. We are on site on shoot day to run the location so your crew can work.
Street closures and permits, handled
Brendan Locations secures permits to clear NYC streets of cars and pedestrians. If the board calls for an empty street or parking for production vehicles, we plan for it during the scout and handle the permits and paperwork from there. You do not have to deal with the city yourself.
Selected work
See our motion credits, stills and motion work and full client list.
Areas we cover
We scout across all five boroughs, and we take on location work all over the country.
NYC location scout FAQ
What does a location scout do?
A location scout finds real places that match a creative brief, then checks that each one works for a production. At Brendan Locations the scout is the start of the job: we also negotiate with owners, handle permits and manage the location on the shoot day.
Location scout vs location manager: do I need both?
A scout finds and vets locations before the shoot. A location manager runs them once the job is booked: agreements, permits, parking, neighbors and the shoot day itself. Many productions need both. Brendan Locations covers both roles with one team, so the people who know the location best are the ones managing it on the day.
Can you shut down a street to film in NYC?
Yes, with the right permits. Brendan Locations secures permits to clear NYC streets of cars and pedestrians. We plan street work during the scout, handle the permits and paperwork, and coordinate with neighbors and buildings on the block. What is allowed on a given street depends on the location and date, so we confirm the details before you commit.
Do you handle NYC film permits?
Yes. Permits, parking and paperwork are a core part of our service, for motion and stills. We work out what the shoot needs during the scout and take care of it, so your team can stay focused on the creative. Brendan Locations secures permits to clear NYC streets of cars and pedestrians.
What kinds of shoots do you scout for?
We scout for national commercials, brand campaigns, e-commerce and editorial photo shoots, TV, music videos and events. Our credits run across both motion and stills. Whatever the format, the job is the same: find places that fit the brief and make sure they work on the day.
How fast can you send location options?
It depends on the brief, the number of looks and how specific they are. For most requests we can send a first round of options within 24 hours. If you are working to a tight date, tell us when you get in touch and we will say upfront what is realistic for your schedule.
Do you scout outside the five boroughs?
Our work is centered on New York City: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. We also scout outside New York and take on location work all over the country. If your brief needs a look the city cannot give you, tell us early and we will say plainly whether we can cover it.
Send us your brief
Tell us the look, the dates and the type of shoot. We will come back with location options within 24 hours. Call 551.404.5798 or email RememberBrendan@Gmail.com. Learn more about Brendan Locations.