Introduction to the Locations Department for Regional Filmmakers

Course Name: Introduction to the Locations Department for Regional Filmmakers

Date of course:  Saturday 6th September 2025

Duration: 1 day (10am – 5pm)

Cost: Free

Venue Location: In-person - Co Wexford. National Opera House & off-site Recce to local property.

Tutors: Mairead Sandford & Colm Nolan.

Course Profile:

The National Talent Academy Crew East and Screen Wexford are delighted to be partnering on this course, which will guide participants in this informational session through an introduction to the Locations Department, including practical scouting skills required to survey various locations and their suitability for a potential shoot.

This one-day interactive event will give a general overview and guidance on how to approach Location scouting & management. Using Classroom discussion, debate & Case Studies combined with a practical on-site visit to a Location. This Course aims to equip regional film makers and crew with a better understanding of what Location Management involves from the start to the finish of a professional project.

Course content:

• Introduction to Locations Dept – What we do, when we do it & how our dept is set up (on professional shoots)
• How Locations Dept collaborates with other departments during  each phase of a production
• Paperwork & best practice for location types Private/Public owners/Councils/Gardaí/OPW
• Introduction to Location scouting, recces & site preparation
• Checklists for various types of locations & considerations for Public Domain filming.
• Introduction & guidelines for employment in the area of Locations Dept, and take-away notes to consider when preparing for your project/ big or small.

Participant Profile:

This course is aimed at Regional Film makers & crew from various departments, and/or people who are interested in learning more about how the Locations Department works and wish to consider working within the Locations Department in the future.

Application Procedure:

Please apply online at this LINK 12pm on Friday, 15th August, 2025.

For technical difficulties with the online system, please email

coordinator@screenwexford.com

Film & TV Crew Academy East courses are open to all regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.

This course is limited to 15 participants.

Tutor Profiles:

Mairead Sandford has extensive experience in the area of Location Management in both Film and TV in Ireland and has worked in the industry for over 25 years, travelling through the Production & Art Department’s along that journey.

Among her many Film and TV and credits are, Braveheart, Michael Collins, Veronica Guerin, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Bad Sisters, Bodkin & Small Things Like These. 

Her interests include the Irish Language and GAA and she is the current Secretary of The Locations Guild of Ireland.

Colm Nolan has worked in the Film Industry as Location Manager for 25+ years. His Credits include: Bono & The Edge - A Sort of Homecoming, Penny Dreadful ( TV Series), Reign of Fire. (Feature film).   Music Videos for Ed Sheeran, U2, The Cranberries and Garet Brooks.