Location Scouting

 Uh so finding a location was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be.. it kind of just happened on "accident."

The two main scenes I need to film are split between a gym, wrestling room (or just mats), any sidewalk (but preferably the exit of said training facilities), and then another set of mats (in a gym or something). Initially I was just planning on asking my coaches for permission to set up our mats in the gym and film there and then use our schools weight room for extra workout scenes.. but then I found something even better BY CHANCE!!

May I present to you, Southwest Miami Senior High School (aka my holy grail). (uh also what does senior high school even mean..) 

When I tell you this school has the most amazing (highschool) wrestling room I have ever seen, I mean it. Their mats are so nice and comfortable and I love the eagles (their school mascot) decorations. Plus, the tons of trophies and medals they have decorating the room definitely add "character" to say the least. Their weight room is also conveniently right next to said room and has so much high quality equipment. I was in heaven.

Cypress Bay, my high school, does have a pretty good weight room.. but it's very dark in there so that could have been an issue even with the help of lights. And the walls are painted yellow, which respectfully isn't cute and isn't the look I'd want if I had a choice. The main issue however would have been the mats/mat room. Unfortunately, we don't have a wrestling room, well kinda.. we just got one but it's a work in progress. What we do for practice is just set up in the cafeteria.. which isn't very aesthetically pleasing. This is why I'm very happy I found somewhere with a real practice room, as most schools have.

( I unfortunately didn't think to take my own pictures when I was there but here are ones I found online)

facebook page

After reading this far, I'm sure you're wondering how exactly I stumbled upon this magical place. It's actually a funny story because, I wasn't even looking. I had settled on the idea of just setting up in the gym and filming there. What happened though is on Saturday (3/16) I was at Southwest for a Wrestling Clinic led by Jordan Oliver, super cool event. 

As I was here, I was in genuine awe of this room. It was so cool to me since we don't have a room at Cypress.  At the end of the clinic, I thought to myself "hey what are the odds I'd be able to film here... never hurts to ask right?" And that's exactly what I did. I put myself out there and introduced myself to the head coach. Here's how the conversation went: (obviously not word for word)

"Hi Coach, thanks so much for hosting today it was great. I do tv production/film at my school and I noticed how beautiful your guys' room is. I'm working on a project and I was wondering if there's anyone I could talk to about possible filming here?"

"Oh that's so cool! Yeah I'm the head coach here, let me get your contact information and we can work something out!"

"Thank you so much!!"

"Wait so you know how to do editing right? You think you'd be able to do something like this?"

source + (I couldn't find something exactly like what he showed but this is close enough)

"Yeah I can do something like that."

"Perfect! I'll be in contact!"

"Sounds good thank you so much!"

That's like a triple win... I found a nice place to film, networked with a coach in the sport I play (the kind of community you want to have connections in), and might have even found a way to practice editing and make commision on it! This experience just goes to show how making connections is worth it, even if it's as simple as introducing yourself to someone! My coaches and TV teacher preach this all the time, I'm glad I listened :)