While all components of the planning process are important, one of the most crucial parts is finding the right location for our opening scene. I realized early on that if Nicole and I don't have a proper location, we can't shoot our film. Finding a location provides a challenge because we need an area that would look natural for Audrey's workout routine while also providing the right atmosphere for a rom-com meet-cute. With our film being set in present day and needing that warm lighting I researched, I need a park that isn't too modern or artificial-looking, but also has enough space to accommodate filming aspects like tripods, camera movement, and blocking the physical comedy sequence.
Researching Park Options
Nicole and I knew going into location scouting that we would most likely be using a public park near our homes. However, we didn't want to settle on a location without properly evaluating our options. After looking at several parks in our area, we narrowed it down to three possibilities: Weston Regional Park, Peace Mound Park, and Rose G. Price Park. Each has different advantages and challenges that we need to consider before making our final decision.
Weston Regional Park
What I've noticed from visiting: I've been to Weston Regional Park before, and one feature that stood out to me is the flat grassy area with intersecting sidewalks surrounding it. This would be a perfect place for the bumping-into scene because the intersecting paths naturally set up the collision. Audrey could be jogging along one sidewalk while Mattias comes from another direction with his hockey equipment. The visual of two paths crossing creates a literal and metaphorical meeting point.
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| The field I am talking about: |
The natural lighting is really nice on sunny days, especially in the late afternoon. Since we don't live on the sunset coast, we won't get that dramatic golden hour glow that some films have, but the lighting is still warm and flattering. The open field area means we'd have good, even lighting without too many harsh shadows from trees.
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| Example of lighting at Weston Regional |
Pros:
- Wide open spaces for tracking shots and establishing shots
- The flat grassy area with intersecting sidewalks is ideal for the meet-cute
- Multiple landscapes provide visual variety
- Good natural lighting on sunny days
- Enough space for the physical comedy sequence with the hockey equipment
Cons:
- Farthest park from both of our homes (20-25 minutes), which could make multiple visits for rehearsals or test shoots challenging
- Might be busier with other park visitors, especially on nice days
- Distance factor means we'd need to be more organized and can't easily go back if we forget something
Peace Mound Park
Peace Mound Park is a smaller, more intimate neighborhood park with a calm and scenic environment. It features walking paths, picnic areas, benches, and a small waterfront area, which could create visually appealing backdrops for our film.
What I've noticed from visiting: I've been to Peace Mound Park as well, and while it has less grassy field-type areas compared to Weston Regional, it has some really interesting features. There's a pier or bridge-type structure that would provide very interesting composition if we could shoot on it, or at least film some scenes incorporating it. The elevated perspective from the pier could create unique angles that would make our opening visually distinctive.
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| Pier/Bridge structure: |
Peace Mound also has many intersecting sidewalks, which is perfect for the meet-cute collision between Audrey and Mattias. The paths wind through the park in ways that would make their collision feel natural and unexpected. The lighting here is also nice on sunny days, again, since we don't live on the sunset coast, we're working with regular afternoon/late afternoon light rather than dramatic golden hour, but it's still warm and pleasant.
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| Intersecting sidewalks: |
Pros:
- Close proximity makes it very convenient for multiple visits
- The pier/bridge structure offers unique compositional opportunities
- Intersecting sidewalks perfect for the meet-cute
- Quieter, more intimate environment with fewer interruptions
- Good lighting on sunny days
- The smaller size creates a more personal, contained feeling
Cons:
- Less grassy field space compared to Weston Regional
- Smaller overall size might limit variety in camera angles
- The narrow paths could make tracking shots more challenging
- Might not have enough open space for the sequence where the hockey equipment flies toward the camera
Rose G. Price Park
Rose G. Price Park is a community-focused park located in Pembroke Pines with walking trails, open green spaces, playgrounds, and sports courts. Its friendly, everyday vibe makes it feel like a believable place for a casual meet-up or run, fitting perfectly with the natural, playful tone of Competitive, Much?. The trails and open areas provide flexibility for different camera angles and movements, allowing for both mid-shots of dialogue and wider shots to establish the scene.
What we know from research: Based on online research, Rose G. Price Park appears to have a combination of shaded spots and sunny fields, which could allow us to experiment with lighting and framing. The trails and versatile areas could work well for mid-shots, wide shots, and tracking sequences. Its location is closest in distance, making it more accessible than Weston Regional and Peace Mound.
Pros (based on research):
- Open green spaces and trails provide flexibility
- Community vibe feels authentic for where a high school student would work out
- Mid-range distance makes it reasonably accessible
- Combination of sun and shade offers lighting options
- Walking trails suitable for Audrey's running sequence
Cons (based on research):
- We haven't visited it yet, so we don't know the actual conditions
- May be busier depending on time of day
- Need to visit in person to confirm it has what we need
What We're Looking For
As Nicole and I continue evaluating these parks, we're focusing on several key factors:
Intersecting Paths for the Meet-Cute:
Both Weston Regional and Peace Mound have intersecting sidewalks, which is perfect for making Audrey and Mattias's collision feel natural. We need paths that cross at angles so it makes sense that they wouldn't see each other coming.
Open Space for Physical Comedy:
The sequence where they fight over the hockey equipment and it flies toward the camera needs room. Weston Regional's flat grassy area is ideal for this, while Peace Mound's smaller size might be more challenging.
Interesting Composition Options:
Peace Mound's pier/bridge structure is really appealing because it would give us unique angles and visual interest. We could potentially use it for the opening shot of Audrey running, or incorporate it into the background of other shots.
Lighting Quality:
Since we're not on the sunset coast, we can't rely on dramatic golden hour lighting. Instead, we're looking for parks that have good, even natural light on sunny days, preferably in late afternoon when the sun is lower but still bright.
Accessibility:
The closer the park, the easier it is to do multiple visits for rehearsals, test shoots, and reshoots if needed. Rose G. Price wins on convenience, but Weston Regional's features might be worth the extra travel time.
Next Steps: Making Our Final Decision
Nicole and I haven't made our final decision yet because we want to visit the parks on the specific time of day we'd be filming (late afternoon on a sunny day) to see exactly how the lighting looks and whether the parks are too crowded during that time.
What we need to test:
- The lighting at each park during late afternoon on a sunny day
- Whether the intersecting sidewalks at Weston Regional and Peace Mound work for our meet-cute blocking
- If Peace Mound's pier/bridge can be incorporated into our shots effectively
- Whether Weston Regional's flat grassy area gives us enough space for the hockey equipment flying sequence
- How crowded each park is during our planned filming time
- Which park's overall aesthetic best matches the rom-com tone we're going for
Once we've visited all three parks and compared them directly, we'll make our final decision based on which location gives us the best combination of visual interest, practical filming space, good lighting, and accessibility.
Reflection
Location scouting is more complex than I initially thought. It's not just about finding a pretty park, it's about finding a space that works technically for our shots, logistically for our schedule, and aesthetically for our story. The fact that Weston Regional has that perfect flat grassy area with intersecting sidewalks makes it a strong contender, but Peace Mound's pier/bridge and convenience are also really appealing.
I'm looking forward to visiting doing comparison visits to all the parks during our planned filming time. Having all this information will help Nicole and I make an informed decision that sets us up for success on filming day. Whatever park we choose needs to support our storyboard, accommodate our camera equipment, and create that warm, romantic atmosphere that rom-coms require.
For my next steps, Nicole and I need to schedule visits to all three parks during late afternoon on sunny days. We'll take reference photos, test some framing with our phones, and evaluate the foot traffic and background elements. Once we make our final decision, I'll create a detailed location map showing exactly where we'll film each shot so that on filming day, we can work efficiently and get all our coverage.
Links used:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34733-d8514272-Reviews-Peace_Mound_Park-Weston_Broward_County_Florida.html
https://www.westonfl.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/8/239
https://price-park.com-place.com/
https://nofilmschool.com/location-scouting
https://www.studentfilmmakers.com/location-scouting-101/
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