WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A LOCATION BRIEF TO GET A SHORTLIST FAST
What to Include in a Location Brief to Get a Shortlist Fast
19th of Jan, 2026.
What to Include in a Location Brief to Get a Shortlist Fast
Key Takeaways:
Sending a detailed brief leads to a faster, more accurate shortlist.
The more specific your information, the quicker we can move from search to secured booking.Using our enquiry form is the fastest way to get results.
It captures everything we need upfront, eliminating back-and-forth and speeding up shortlisting.
In film, TV and commercial production, time is money. The difference between a smooth location search and a stressful scramble often comes down to one thing: the quality of the location brief.
At Silverstein Locations, we see first-hand how a clear, detailed brief can turn around a vetted shortlist in a day — sometimes even hours. Below, we break down exactly what to include in your location brief, why it matters, and how it directly impacts how fast we can deliver.
Why Your Location Brief Matters
An ambiguous enquiry slows everything down.
If we receive an email that simply says:
“Hi, I’m looking for a supermarket.”
We’re left guessing:
When is the shoot?
How many hours?
What’s the crew size?
What’s the budget?
What kind of supermarket is this?
Is it a small independent grocer in Cornwall? Or a large Tesco in North London?
Without context, we can’t responsibly shortlist, check availability or approach owners. And in production, delays compound quickly.
What to Include in a Strong Location Brief
To get a shortlist fast, your brief should include:
Visual reference(s) – mood boards, stills or links
Shoot date(s) – including flexibility if applicable
Hours required – prep, shoot, wrap
Crew and cast headcount
Location type & geography – e.g. “high-end jewellery store, London”
Budget range – even a ballpark helps enormously
This is exactly why all new enquiries must come through our enquiry form. It ensures we receive the right information instantly and can begin searching immediately.
Art Deco Hall, a captivating film location in London.
Case Study: Jewellery Store – Shortlisted & Secured in 4 Days
A recent jewellery store brief is a perfect example of how this works in practice.
The Brief (Received Monday)
The client provided:
A clear visual reference
Confirmed shoot date
Hours & headcount
Specific location type
Defined budget
Because the brief was complete, we were able to act immediately.
The Turnaround
By Thursday, we had secured the booking for this tricky brief, which included:
Finding and vetting five viable jewellery store options
Checking availability
Negotiating with owners to align with the client’s budget and typical location rates
Securing the booking
The Shortlist Included:
Three off-book options scouted within 24 hours, including:
A jewellery store at The Peninsula Hotel
Prestons Diamonds, Guildford
The Diamond Setter, Tunbridge Wells
In the end, the client selected Art Deco Hall in London, which perfectly matched the creative brief and budget.
No. 16 Gallery, a film location in London
What Happens After the Shortlist Is Sent
Once you receive a shortlist, the next step is crucial.
The fastest way forward is to:
Tell us which options could work
If something doesn’t fit, tell us why (scale, style, layout, location, cost)
This allows us to refine quickly rather than start from scratch.
The Fastest Route of All: Pre-Selecting from Our Portfolio
Even faster than a general brief is when clients:
Browse our portfolio ahead of time
Identify a specific location they like
Use that as a starting point
No one knows our locations better than we do. When you come to us with a reference from our books, we can instantly:
Assess feasibility
Suggest similar or upgraded alternatives
Move straight into availability and negotiation
Our map and filter tools make it easy to search by area, property type and key features — narrowing options down fast.
Thameside Suites, a premier hotel filming location in London.
Final Thought
If you want a shortlist quickly, the process is simple:
Use our enquiry form
Be specific
Share references and parameters upfront
Send us your brief and see our shortlisting process in action.
Let’s make your next production efficient, seamless, and stress-free.
