AIR MILES

LORI BALTON

is a location scout who has worked on blockbuster films including Inception and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.

What locations have you passed off for others?

Argo was shot primarily in Los Angeles [but set in Tehran]. One of my best finds was a southern home for Ghosts of Mississippi. No one believed that we shot so much of that movie in LA.

Most remote location?

I love scouting for plate shots – images that are digitally inserted into the film with visual effects. I scouted some pretty remote locations in the western US for the hyena’s lair and elephant graveyard in The Lion King.

Is it difficult to travel with equipment?

The worst is in a connecting puddle-jumper [a small aircraft for short distances] when I have to check in my carry-on even though I know it will fit on the plane. I understand there are rules, but when other people board with larger pieces of luggage, it’s frustrating.

Main criteria when picking a location?

We start with a visually compelling location that helps the director to tell their story. Then issues of safety, noise, logistics, traffic, proximity to hotels and airports, and parking all come into play.

Does climate affect your choice of locations?

There used to be some seasonal predictability, but climate change adds a challenging dimension to filmmaking. Hurricanes, typhoons and so on can seriously set back production. If the locations are unique, we zip up our gear, add or remove layers, and go where the script leads.

How do you ensure safety when scouting?

The same year as the Narcos incident [a scout was killed in Mexico], another scout was murdered in San Francisco. I won’t scout alone in sketchy places, and I try to be aware of my surroundings. Your vision is limited when your camera is to your eye. Growing up in New York, I tend to walk with purpose, like I belong.

Dream destinations?

Patagonia, the Galapagos, Fiji and the South Pacific, India and more of Africa. The more remote, the less likely I will get sent for work. The exception is plate shots, as the crew is so small that we can go anywhere.

Indispensable travel gadgets?

Bose noise-reducing headphones, Flight 001’s universal adapter, Evian facial spray and Aesop’s Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm.

Visit businesstraveller.com for the full interview.