Tight Budget Location Strategy: Hero & Doubling?

Hey everyone, Ben Castillo here. I'm currently prepping for a low-budget indie feature, think shoe-string, real bare bones. I'm hitting that common hurdle where every dollar counts, especially for locations that factor into our action sequences.

I often read advice about prioritizing 'hero' locations and trying to find spots that can 'double or triple' for different scenes or even different environments. On bigger shows, I get how you might lock down a complex, versatile space for an extended period. But when the location budget is practically non-existent, and you're fighting for even a few hours here or there, how do you realistically apply that strategy?

I've tried looking for public spaces that don't require permits, but finding genuinely unique and versatile ones is a challenge. And forget about dressing them much. Any wisdom on making 'hero' and 'doubling' work under extreme financial pressure? What practical steps do you take?