CTPR 456

Measuring & Photographing

Locations
For Movie & TV Art Departments

M. Gramatky: USC 2019

M.Gramatky LOCATIONS: Page 1

 CTPR 456
Steps:
1. TOOLS TO TAKE:
A. Metal Tape Measure 25’ to 30’ long
B. Note pad of graph paper 1/4” = 1’-0”
C. Pencils & Eraser
D. Camera or Smart Phone with Camera

2. Is the Location Interior or Exterior?

3. FIRST PHOTO: Panoramic view of space.
4. NEXT PHOTOS: what details caught your eye? Photo them.
5. PLAN VIEW: What is the shape of the room? Draw Rough Sketch on your pad.
6. Measure OVERALL length & width: NOTE THESE on your PLAN VIEW
7. WINDOWS & DOORS: Where are they? How wide are they? Which way do the
doors swing? MEASURE & NOTE on your PLAN VIEW. What do you see
out the windows? NOTE on PLAN.
8. What other details are there in the room? Fireplace? Built in bookcase(s)?
Columns? Pilasters? Overhead Arches or Beams? MEASURE & NOTE on
your PLAN VIEW.
9. FLOORING: What material: tile, wood, carpet, brick, etc? Is there a carpet/rug
laid on another surface? MEASURE &NOTE on your PLAN VIEW.
10. ELEVATIONS: Choose a wall. Draw a rough sketch on another page of you pad.
NAME THE WALL so you remember which one it is.
11. How tall is the ceiling? MEASURE & NOTE on your ELEVATION.
12. MEASURE & NOTE: Size and Placement of all the details you noted on your
PLAN VIEW: Windows, Doors, Columns, Pilasters, Bookcase(s), Fireplace
(s), etc. Also MOULDINGS.
13. SURFACES: Paint? Wallpaper? Wood? Metal? Brick? Stone? NOTE on
ELEVATION: SURFACES & FINISHES.
14. MATCH COLORS using a swatch book (Provided). MATCH MOULDINGS &
STAFF using catalogue references (Provided).

M.Gramatky LOCATIONS: Page 2

 CTPR 456
Plan View Sketch

NOTES for PLAN VIEW:

Door, Window Placement
Door Swings
Other Details: Architectural,
Electrical, HVAC, Arches,
Beams, Columns, etc.

M.Gramatky LOCATIONS: Page 3

 CTPR 456

Elevations

M.Gramatky LOCATIONS: Page 4

 CTPR 456

Windows & Doors

M.Gramatky LOCATIONS: Page 5

 CTPR 456

Rough Sketches

...ARE NOT PERFECT...

...THEY ARE FOR INFORMATION GATHERING ONLY!

After you have the information, you can make it perfect
when you draw it into plans!

M.Gramatky LOCATIONS: Page 6