Film Locations Glossary
Recce
What is a recce?
Also called reconnaissance, or location survey.
A recce is the British term for a location visit, covering everything from a first look to the full technical survey that walks the department heads through the site.
Recces are distinguished by who attends: a director's recce answers whether the place works, and a technical recce answers whether the unit can actually get in and shoot it. The output is notes, photographs, and a list of what has to be solved.
Example
The director's recce answers whether a mill works for the scene. The technical recce three weeks later answers whether the unit can get in: gate width, floor loading, power, and where a 90-person crew eats.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
The British term for a location visit, from a first look through to the full technical survey.
Common mistake
Sending one recce to answer both questions. Whether the place works creatively and whether the unit can physically shoot it are different visits with different attendees.
Related questions
- Who attends a technical recce?
- The director, DP, first AD, gaffer, key grip, designer, locations, transportation, and sound, plus any department with a rigging, power, or access problem to solve.
- What is the difference between a director's recce and a technical recce?
- The director's recce answers whether the location works for the scene. The technical recce answers whether the unit can get in, power it, and shoot it.