Category: Blog

SOSCOUT – YOUR LOCATION CREATIVES

Today we’re taking you behind the scenes at SoScout – not to show you inside the presses or cupboards of our homes, but how our location scouting process works, in real life and in real time. SoScout is a location platform, but it is so much more than a location directory, we are location creatives. 

The Challenge

Let’s set the scene – you’re a filmmaker with a vision, a deadline and a budget. You know what you need to film your project, but where do you start? Web searches, emails, calls… You need the perfect cliff-top location in Ireland – something dramatic, accessible, reliable and film-ready, but the weeks of scouting you’re getting quoted for will eat your budget up. Sound familiar?

We see this happen time and time again within the industry, directors and/ or location managers spend precious pre-production time doing letter drops, making site visits, and trying to piece together the perfect combination of locations that will serve their story. Complications arise at every turn – logistics such as access, availability and permissions get in the way, or it’s got all the parking in the world but the aesthetics don’t match up. Meanwhile, the deadline moves ever-closer and the budget is shrinking with every hour spent on the search.

The Enquiry

We recently had an enquiry for one of our Dublin-based cliffside properties from an overseas film production who were told that Dublin would be their ideal location in Ireland – close to the airport, easy travel, lots of shoreline. 

So they chose a beautiful property, and enquired about it. The cliff-top location was stunning, offering the dramatic coastal backdrop they needed for key exterior scenes. The property seemed perfect for their vision, with sweeping sea views and the kind of rugged Irish coastline that international audiences expect to see.

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The Call Sheet is our regular deep dive into the world of SoScout. In each issue we’ll take you on a fresh Recce to one of our newest properties, Showcase a collaboration from our Seekers and bring you fresh perspectives and expert insights from within the industry in the Journal.

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The Conversation

Then, as usually happens, a conversation opened up between the director and our scouts and it turned out that as well as the cliff side property, they also needed a café, a classroom and a bedroom – they were going to have to find additional properties to set the café and the classroom, and hopefully relatively close by. 

This is the complicated nature of location scouting – the logistical puzzle that must support the visual and aesthetic requirements. Finding these additional locations near their chosen cliff-top property in Dublin would mean separate contracts, multiple site visits, additional paperwork, and significantly increased costs.

Our scouts, practiced designers with years of experience interrogating client requests, asked plenty of (the right) questions – What was the story they were telling? What was the relationship between these different locations in the narrative? How many crew members would they need to accommodate? What was their overall budget for locations? These conversations often reveal that the initial enquiry might not be the most efficient solution for the production’s actual needs.

As the conversation unfolded, our scouts began to understand on a deeper level what this production was looking for and we offered them a new suggestion – The Heritage Estate in Co. Waterford. 

This recommendation came from our team’s intimate knowledge of every property on our books. Rather than simply matching keywords to locations, our scouts were able to see the bigger picture. The Heritage Estate offered something remarkable – all the elements this production needed within a single property, eliminating the need for multiple locations, multiple contracts, and the logistical headaches that come with coordinating shoots across different sites.

Ticking all the boxes on one singular property is any director’s dream, and with the helpful addition of lower accommodation and scouting costs, it was a winner. Not only did we find them an ideal location that they’re excited to use, SoScout saved this production around 25% of their projected location costs (scout fees + multiple location hire fees). Imagine what you could do with an extra 25% to play with in your budget?

WHY YOUR BRIEF MATTERS

This is why your brief is so important to us – as location creatives we combine our in-depth understanding of all our properties with an ability to interrogate and interpret your brief from a visual/ creative point of view (as well as logistics, of course). We know what our properties are capable of and we can see what your project needs to make it work.

This depth of knowledge allows us to see possibilities that might not be immediately obvious from photographs or basic descriptions.

When filmmakers & creatives share their vision with us, we’re not just matching specifications – we’re solving creative and logistical challenges. We can suggest alternative approaches that might serve the story better while also serving the budget more effectively.

THE SOSCOUT ADVANTAGE

And icing on the cake for this director and team – the property manager has bought into the project and is fully on board, offering local knowledge, insights into other locations that would be useful to the production team, with a true commitment to seeing the project come to fruition.

Our property owners know what to expect and how a shoot runs, and just like at The Heritage Estate, they’re dedicated to the success of the project. While SoScout doesn’t manage the location during the shoot, we are the intermediary who writes the contract and arranges everything in advance. This then leaves the location manager to the job they’re there to do – manage the location during the shoot and ensure that everything runs smoothly, sticking to the timeline and the budget (that now has a little extra in it thanks to SoScout.)

THE HERITAGE ESTATE

The Heritage Estate is property 105 on our list and is nestled in the heart of Annestown village, on the Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark. The estate, most of which was built in the 1800s, has breathtaking views over the Atlantic Ocean and across the county of Waterford. The main house offers 750sqm of space and there are 10 acres of lawns and woodland with views and access down to the beach. The courtyards, stables and function areas are all renovated and include an old barn which has been remodelled to become the fabulous “Nellie’s Bar”. 

From dramatic clifftop scenes to cozy interior moments, the Heritage Estate offers filmmakers the rare luxury of multiple cinematic settings in one location.

WATERFORD: A CREATIVE PRODUCTION HUB

With Waterford being such a great solution for this production, let’s explore more of what the stunning county has to offer – in terms of SoScout properties, the landscape, some crew accommodation solutions and other production creatives.

SoScout Properties in Waterford

As of late 2025, SoScout has 4 properties in our directory.

127 The Clifftop House

This clifftop home features light, neutral interiors with a clean Scandinavian style. Large windows fill the space with natural light and showcase stunning ocean views. View Property

55 The Hideaway

A stunning woodland home with cleverly framed views of the surrounding landscape paired with eclectic, warm interiors. View Property

106 The 60’s Haven

A lovingly renovated 1960’s home with a beautiful haven of a garden. It also features our “The Hideaway” location on site, available combined or individually with possible options for an overnight stay. View Property

105 The Heritage Estate

The Heritage Estate is nestled in the heart of Annestown village, on the Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark. Mainly built in the 1800s the house has breathtaking views over the Atlantic Ocean and across the county of Waterford. The main house offers 750sqm of space and there are 10 acres of lawns and woodland with views and access down to the beach. The courtyards, stables and function areas are all renovated and include an old barn which has been remodelled to become the fabulous “Nellie’s Bar”. Suitable for large productions and on-site accommodation (separate building) View Property

Waterford’s Landscape

Waterford boasts an incredibly dynamic landscape – including a dramatic viaduct, stunning beaches along the Copper Coast and beautiful inland hills and lakes. It represents everything that makes Ireland such an attractive filming destination, but with the added advantage of being less saturated than some of the more obvious choices.

And yes, it is that beautiful – the Copper Coast is also a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Production Support

For productions, this means authentic Irish locations without the premium prices and availability issues that sometimes come with more established filming areas. The thriving creative community in Waterford is also really worth noting, with local talent and services that can support productions of all sizes. This ecosystem of film-friendly people and businesses can be accessed through The Waterford Film Centre.

Accomodation Options

30 minutes inland from Waterford Airport is Tom’s Country Cottage

A 35 minute drive south west from Waterford Airport brings you to The Greenway & Copper Coast Hostel

Further along the south coast of Ireland, close to our properties The 60’s Haven and The Hideaway, just an hour’s drive from Waterford Airport is the town of Dungarvan, with the Dungarvan Hostel and Bed & Breakfast and Árus Brúgha (Dungarvan Hostel)

Waterford City Erbnb and Anchorage Guest House are right in the heart of Waterford itself.

Start planning your next shoot right now with SoScout – contact us via our enquiries form (by selecting the property/ properties you want to enquire about) or email us directly at hello@soscout.com

Want to be the first to hear about our new locations? Sign up to get The Call Sheet.

The Call Sheet is our regular deep dive into the world of SoScout. In each issue we’ll take you on a fresh Recce to one of our newest properties, Showcase a collaboration from our Seekers and bring you fresh perspectives and expert insights from within the industry in the Journal.

Sign up so that you can be the first to look around our new locations, get inspired by what other seekers are doing and get thoughtful and thought-provoking articles straight to your inbox.

WHAT QUALITIES ARE IMPORTANT?

The most important thing we look for in a property is space – simply put, the crew need room to work in. It doesn’t have to be vast but if a space is very small or very cluttered, it’s impossible for the crew to use it. Even ‘normal’ homes need to be relatively spacious. 

The next most important thing is the space’s personality. Stunning backdrops not only impress an audience, but they play a huge part in telling the story the creatives want to communicate. The perfect location is easy to work in and has the right personality to elevate their product or service – aligning their brand with that personality gives them an edge that can’t always be measured. 

The unique characteristics or aesthetic a home may have is difficult to define but our Scouts know when they see a property if it’s got that je ne sais quoi. Distinctive features might be the immediately impactful ones like cast concrete or authentic Georgian elements or they could be more subtle like luscious natural wood or an eclectic mix of furniture and decorative details. Distinctive features can capture a creative’s imagination and lend character, style, or a sense of uniqueness to a shoot. 

VERSATILITY & FUNCTIONALITY

A creative eye will spot endless possibilities in a space, but versatility is also something that we look for – an adaptable space will be highly sought after because each creative crew can make it their own. Indoors, this can mean large spaces that can accommodate lighting set ups or it could mean multiple visual backdrops within the same property – for example a period home with original features paired with a sleek modern kitchen and dining room extension. Differing styles and moods give huge flexibility for shoots. Outdoor areas are often something that a creative will look for in addition to the indoor location – it may be a sweeping private landscape, a rooftop terrace or a cosy outdoor garden. 

If a crew is looking for a space where they can record video interviews they’ll want somewhere with predictable and controllable noise levels. Great acoustics are created by the space’s shape, furnishings and surfaces, even plants. Equally, while some crews will bring a full studio lighting set up, others will be looking for an abundance of natural light or interesting ways that light can fall in a space. 

When SoScout is considering a location or property we make notes of all of these aspects so that creatives and crews can be fully informed and understand the space before they book. We take note of accessibility, privacy, parking and local amenities like shops and restaurants so that crews can make their plans. The property owners let us know which spaces are available and which are off limits, as well as what furniture can be moved and under what conditions. This is all agreed and communicated so that everyone knows what to expect. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO THE PROPERTY OWNER?

When a property is listed on SoScout’s booking platform it can have huge benefits to the property owner beyond an additional income stream. It can create indirect marketing opportunities for the owner’s business – be that the property itself or their own services. This can be subtle but impactful. You might be involved in the creative industries yourself and growing your network is always good for business.

The financial gains can’t be overlooked though – the flexibility of being able to hire out your property during daytime hours without even short-term overnight stays means that you earn without having to compromise how you use the space. 

Then there’s the buzz of seeing a space that you’ve crafted, and given huge thought to, used in a new creative endeavor – it can inspire your vision for your property in new ways, or just give an ego boost! Celebrating the space’s character and witnessing the unique narratives created within it can be deeply satisfying. And speaking of ego, having your property used as a film location or for a prestigious brand photoshoot can not only give you something to boast about but it can also potentially elevate the value of your property. 

WHAT IF YOU ARE APPROACHED BY A SCOUT?

Location scouts are always looking for new locations to suit their upcoming projects and they may find your property without it being listed on a directory such as SoScout. If that happens, you’re very welcome to contact us. We can help you navigate the contract, offer you some helpful advice and we’re always happy to represent you too, if that’s what you’re looking for. 

Being approached by a production ad hoc can be very new territory. It’s very exciting AND it’s also very important to remember that you have rights, and that there are risks involved too. 

Your fundamental right when approached by a location scout is to ask for as much information as they can give you about the production – and then if, for any reason, you aren’t comfortable with the nature of the project or the terms, you are well within your rights to decline the request. 

If you choose to proceed to negotiations, there are some things you should bear in mind – some examples might include:

Usage: You can specify restrictions on which areas of your property can be used, which parts of the property are accessible to crew and which parts are off limits.

Payment terms: Agreeing the fee, as well as how and when the payment(s) will be made.

Compensation & Insurance: Potential disruptions and general wear & tear may need to be accounted for if the project is more than one day, and all production crews should have their own insurance against damages to the property, as well as accident/ injury on set. When this has been hashed out, you’ll get a contract – this is to protect your interests and clearly outline expectations. Communication and clarity is incredibly important at this stage. All agreements should be signed by both parties before the production begins to ensure legal protection.

WHAT SHOULD THE CONTRACT COVER?

Usage terms: A detailed description of what the space will be used for (e.g., film, photography, commercial production). Depending on the nature of the shoot, the location of your property and how you will be using it while shooting is happening, you may also want to include a clause here about noise levels.

Duration of Shoot: Specific dates and times that the production team will have access to the property. This can also include time restrictions for production hours e.g. no late-night filming, only shooting during certain hours. 

Fees and Payment Schedule: Agreed-upon rates, deposit requirements, and payment dates. This may also include a refundable security deposit.

Insurance Coverage: Confirmation that the production company has valid public liability insurance in case of damage or injury on the premises. 

Property Protection: Rules about moving furniture or wall hangings, how surfaces should be protected and about making any temporary alterations.

Crew Size and Access Restrictions:  The number of people permitted, which rooms or areas are off-limits. 

Cancellation and Liability Clause: Terms surrounding cancellations, unforeseen delays, and liability protections for both parties. 

Restoration Clause: Guarantees that the property will be returned to its original condition after filming. 

Overruns and Unexpected Extensions: Productions may exceed their scheduled shoot time, leading to extended use of your property. Your contract should include late fees to account for this possibility. 

HOW ARE FEES AGREED & PAID?

Fees vary depending on the type of shoot, the duration, and the specific requirements of the production. Fees may be hourly, daily or project-based, depending on the usage conditions. Once the fee structure has been negotiated and agreed, you may require a deposit payment, as well as a refundable security deposit. The contract should specify payment terms, and whether payment is made in-full before the shoot, staged or in installments. If a production cancels at short notice, agreements may include compensation terms for lost income.

Property owners may be requested to issue an invoice to the production company before payment is made, and remember – it is up to each property owner to review their personal tax requirements.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

Working with a production can be rewarding, however, there are a few risks to be aware of and should be accounted for and contracted for beforehand. 

Property Damage: Large crews, equipment setups, and heavy foot traffic may cause unintended wear and tear. Ensure the contract covers restoration costs and insurance protections.  

Disturbance and Noise: Filming can be disruptive, especially if it requires loud sounds, long hours, or significant activity outside regular business or residential hours.  

Liability Concerns: If someone is injured on the property, liability protections should be in place to prevent legal issues. The production company should have proper insurance.  

Privacy Issues: Your home or business may be visible in widely distributed media, which could impact personal or professional privacy.  Note, SoScout requires context images of each property showing the approach and exteriors of the property, but they are not publicly available on our website. 

Contract Disputes: Vague terms or missing clauses can lead to misunderstandings regarding payment, damages, or usage. Always ensure a detailed, legally sound contract is in place.  

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING LISTED WITH SOSCOUT?

SoScout’s website is a go-to for industry creatives looking for access to a mind-blowing selection of the most inspiring and exciting locations in the country. The creator economy is booming and the people within it are always innovating in terms of how they communicate with their audiences – locations can make or break a shoot and they know that. 

Our mission is to make location scouting a breeze for professionals and to make hiring out your property stress-free. Comprehensive agreements and clear communication are the backbone of our operations – creatives know exactly what they’re working with so they don’t have to deal with unexpected problems on set and property owners can trust that their space will be well taken care of. Flexibility for our property owners is also really important to us – they have full control over how and when the property is hired out.

Your property could be our next star listing, get in touch with us to find out more about working with us. 

MORE THAN A VENUE – A STORYTELLING EXPERIENCE

As the creator economy grows and grows, and brands are increasingly prioritising authentic storytelling, the choice of location for a brand event plays a vital role. Much the same as when the content that built the brand is being created, the space an event is held in is more than just a backdrop, it grounds the entire experience in emotion and narrative. The goal is to create an atmosphere where influencers, media and guests feel like they’re part of something exclusive – thoughtfully intimate and most definitely not a launch by numbers.

Real life, characterful spaces whose personality aligns with the personality of the brand does so much more than hold the space. When you find the space for your product launch or to promote your product, a lot of the visual design of the event is taken care of. All that’s left for you to do is make sure the right people get there and that they have a great time! 

And they will – real-life, authentic-feeling spaces provide a deeper emotional connection, allowing guests to experience the brand in a real-life setting that aligns deeply with the brand’s aesthetic and values, rather than a neutral, corporate environment. These events feel more personal – encouraging natural conversations, organic content creation, and genuine interactions between guests. 

WHAT MAKES A SPACE SUITABLE FOR EVENTS?

Not all residential properties are suited for large-scale events. Just like location scouting for a shoot, choosing the right event space requires careful consideration: 

• Capacity & Layout: Can the space accommodate the number of guests comfortably?  

• Accessibility: Is parking and transport sufficient for invitees?  

• Lighting & Aesthetics: Does the space visually enhance the brand’s message?  

• Facilities: Are catering, seating, and tech requirements met?  
  

When done right, brands align their event locations with their identity, ensuring the setting reinforces their vision instead of working against it.  

MATCHING LOCATION SEEKES WITH LOCATION OWNERS

Many property owners are open to hosting brand activations, but clear expectations and preparation are key. SoScout acts as the bridge between brand visionaries and property owners, ensuring smooth execution and contractual agreements.  

This also eliminates last-minute disruptions. Just as a well-prepped shoot location prevents setbacks, a vetted event space ensures a seamless experience for the brand and its guests. 

THE INFLUENCE OF THE CREATOR ECONOMY ON EVENTS

The creator economy has reshaped not just content production, but also experiential marketing. Brands are now seeking immersive, influencer-driven events where behind-the-scenes footage becomes part of the campaign.  

Product launches and brand activations are storytelling moments designed for digital creation and consumption. When hosted in a well-chosen space, influencers, guests, and media will need no encouragement to create social content or create audience interactions – the space becomes an essential part of the brand’s digital storytelling strategy.

Consumers crave authenticity, creators drive innovation, and brands that integrate immersive storytelling into their events will thrive in the new era of engagement. If live events that encourage real-time, authentic, digital content creation and an experience that guests will talk about are the dream for your brand, get in touch to start planning your event now.