Q&A: “Can I make money as a film location scout?”

Side Hustle School

What It’s About

A service for someone with an eye for detail.

Notes from Chris

Episode 3108

Filmmakers, photographers, influencers—they’re all hunting for the perfect backdrop. And while some have full production teams, many don’t. That’s where today’s question comes in.

Jenna from Philadelphia spends her free time wandering the city, finding hidden gems that would be perfect for a moody short film, an album cover shoot, or a content creator’s next viral post. She’s wondering: could this be a real business? Could someone actually pay her to scout and suggest these locations, even if she’s not part of a formal crew?

The answer is yes—but only if she approaches it like a creative service with clear value and knows how to connect with the right people. Let’s talk about how to pitch, price, and start a solo-location-scouting side hustle.

“Hello, this is Jenna from Philadelphia. I love exploring my city and finding all kinds of interesting spots—old alleys, neon-lit storefronts, rooftop views, you name it. Lately, I’ve been wondering if I could turn this into a service for indie filmmakers, photographers, or even influencers who are always looking for cool locations to shoot in. The problem is, I’m not part of the film industry, and I have no idea how people actually hire location scouts—let alone how to price something like this. Is there a way to do this as a one-person business without needing a bunch of industry connections?”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

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SEE ALSO:

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• Seattle Couple Creates New “Income LiveStream”: When a married couple runs into logistical problems at their wedding, it leads to an innovative service that other engaged couples need during the pandemic.
• Role-Playing Pastor Rolls The Dice On $2800/Month Hustle: Listener success story! This Presbyterian minister turns to his lifelong interest in role-playing games to set up a sustainable second income source.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

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Chris Guillebeau