New Books in Critical Theory
Ipek A. Celik Rappas, "Filming in European Cities: The Labor of Location" (Cornell UP, 2025)
May 4, 2025
Ipek A. Celik Rappas, a scholar in film and media studies, discusses the intricate labor behind filming in European cities. She highlights the challenges of transforming spaces, like factories into war zones, to meet the demands of the streaming industry. The conversation uncovers the often-invisible work of location scouts and its socio-economic implications, as well as ethical concerns surrounding representation. Celik Rappas advocates for sustainable practices in media production and emphasizes the importance of giving voice to marginalized communities.
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Quick takeaways
- The labor of location scouting transforms cities into cinematic environments, requiring extensive creativity and negotiation to match storytelling needs.
- Filmmaking significantly impacts local communities, necessitating a shift towards more ethical and sustainable practices that prioritize residents' well-being.
Deep dives
The Importance of Location Labor in Filmmaking
The labor involved in selecting and preparing filming locations is often invisible yet crucial to the filmmaking process. Location scouts play a vital role, as they transform vague script descriptions into tangible settings by scouting appropriate sites that match the director's vision. This laborous process requires extensive negotiation, logistical planning, and creativity, often under pressing deadlines. The significance of this labor underscores the idea that locations are not merely backdrops but crafted environments that significantly influence the storytelling in film and television.
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