exterior site/set layout ideas requested

[firehawk]

Hi. I'm asking for advice please. On the edge of land I want to have a small stretch of "road" lined with colorful trees and a fence to use for shooting car commercials, people shots and general photo/video projects. On my rough plan the road runs W to E, which means the sunrise/sunset will never be directly in front or behind my subjects.
I've attached pics to give a rough idea, however the pics are of a larger more spread out space, whereas my "road" could only be ~175' long, have no public access whatsover, be more narrow, the fence/trees would be closer, and the trees smaller

I'm also considering whether to put the line of trees and fence behind the road or in front, or both

 

[Mitch Gross]

What's on the other side of the property? What is the access to get to this "road"? Is there anything visible in the far background that could be problematic for a client? Is it quiet outside if shoots also wanted to record audio?

I wouldn't bother with such a construction unless you know that you have specific clients who would want it. I don't know about your area, but for most places the cost for a permit to shoot on a real road location is free or very little. The advantage here is that it is connected to your studio, but I again wonder how much of a draw that is. Is a tree-lined street really that valuable to have as your "backlot"? Think about how much work it could take for you to maintain this standing set in a visually pleasing manner so that people would ever pay to rent it. Is there some other form of backlot that you could construct that might be of greater value? For example what if you built a road with a sidewalk and a block's worth of storefronts, including working doors and some windows? That's a far tougher location to get for free or with any level of control, so therefore far more rent-worthy.

 

[firehawk]

Thank you Mitch, as always.
Directly behind this proposed "road" is property edge which is a thin line of growth and trees providing a green barrier to the huge open field behind it which may not always be a huge open field.
I cannot build any permanent structure there because it is a 50' utility easement, nor do I need to have a bunch of empty grass there so I was trying to come up with a way to utilize it.

I'd like to start shooting more on my premises vs going on-location every time

Since the lot is larger than I need, I'm try ing to think of ways to use the space for various backdrops.

I also had idea for a wedding video production set (not a venue) where I can have camera placements for perfect wedding video production (with cable cams, jibs, remote cams) and enough space for some "audience" during the production. The road/fence/trees would also serve as a backdrop for the wedding stuff.

The "road" idea is for slow speed driving jib shots, and parked beauty jib shots, as well as senior pics, corporate photos, wedding photos.
Maybe not a good idea but that's why I'm throwing it out here to see what you guys think.