How to location scout for creating a short movie - New York City edition

Timing and location are the two biggest factor to consider when you are about to shoot a video.

In this episode, we discuss the art of selection a location. Well since I live in New York City, any location instantly becomes the hottest filming spot. There are no bad spots in the big city, even that dirty holes on the platform that feeds as delivery chute to restaurants add a beautiful charm to your videos (ok maybe if you are creating horror movies).

In any case, scouting for locations is made simpler for me as I live in this city of dreams. So as I set about making a list of spots I want my movie to be set in, I would like to take you through this journey (note this is a fluid list that will be updated constantly as I continue filming):

Central Park — Duh, a must for NYC movie
Pedestrian road cross of a busy avenue intersection on 5th avenue
Streets of Soho
The stoop — the quintessential steps leading to a brown house
Local restaurants
Cafes — I feel no New Yorker prefers spending time in their apartment (if you can call a really small closet that) including me. I would rather spend all day chilling in a cafe people watching
Subway — How can I not since I am self proclaimed subway surfer. Also videos turn out effortlessly beautiful with a subway time-lapse.
Cab rides

PS: Note how I have conveniently avoided Times square aka the tourist mecca from this list. As it is not only filmed so many times that it might not add any value/charm to your videos, its also very difficult to get good scenes without having a gazillion tourist trample you and walk over your camera.