List your Film Location

• What type of production is it?
• What is the name of the Production Company and title of production?
• Who is the contact person at the production company?
• How many shoot dates? Shoot hours? Prep days?
• Ask them to provide a description of the activity taking place in the scene (s)
• Crew and cast size? Number of Vehicles?
• Do they have insurance?

The first call will be from the Location Manager, establishing the availability of your location on a particular date, or set of dates. Assuming that you are happy with the proposed project, and the fee that is on offer, the first visit to be arranged is the “recce”, when the Location Manager comes and assesses your property for suitability. It is usual for the Location Manager to take their own snaps of your property to show to the Director, Producer and Production Designer.

Part of the experience of being a location owner is that you may have several recces at your property before a final decision is made – your property is usually on a short list. There are many reasons why your property may not be right, and sometimes there can be arbitrary reasons why somewhere else is chosen, perhaps to do with scheduling and the proximity of another important location.

Once your location is chosen, the Location Manager will draw up a Location Agreement between yourself and the production company. The agreement covers the dates and times of preparation days (known as “prep days”), filming, and post days and also the areas to be used, extra facilities, payment terms etc. and insurance matters. In the case of a large shoot, there will be further “technical recces” when for example the production crew will visit to plan the shoot day in more detail.

On the shoot day, the production company will reasonably expect to find the location as it was when they did their recce: they would understandably be annoyed to arrive and find that, for example, builders are working on the roof! Your property should be as you would expect it to be for the visit of an important guest: neat and tidy.

If there is a star involved, you stand a good chance of meeting them, but be prepared to mostly hover around discreetly in the background. It is your home that is the real star, let the crew get on with their work. Get to know who the Location Manager is as they are the one who will sort out any problems that may arise.

Occasionally accidents can happen, but thorough location hire agreements cover all eventualities to ensure that you don’t end up being out of pocket. All production companies must carry full public liability insurance to hire out locations, however please ensure that you have the authority to permit access to your property for commercial purposes. If their production is jeopardised because you are not legally authorised to grant access you may be personally liable for damages.

The location manager will set guidelines concerning the management of people on set, general behaviour of crew, eating, smoking etc.

The Location Manager’s responsibility is to secure a location that meets the creative vision of the director and also which is able to cope with the physical and logistical requirements of a film crew; and then manage all aspects of shooting in that location.
A Location Manager will:

• negotiate the cost and terms of the hire; crew and vehicle access; parking; noise reduction; power sources; catering requirements and any official permissions that may be needed.
• liaise with the local authorities, police and residents associations.
• notify the neighbours of the intended shoot.
• reassure those who are affected or disturbed by the filming.
• leave the location in a condition to the satisfaction of the owner

It’s not just the visual look of your property that is taken into consideration when choosing a film location. Other factors come into play; size is important and parking is always a crucial factor – there are often many equipment vehicles attached to a shoot, so this will be a major consideration. Is the property conveniently located for the production company? Will you allow decorating? How big are the rooms?

Filmmakers, location managers and scouts are looking for interesting and unique locations. They only have a short time to look at these photos and need to be able to get the overall aesthetic of the property. The images of your property should include:

When registering your property with Screenwest please note the following information in your submission: what is the style, period, layout, view of the property and other interesting titbits. What are the noise levels like? Are there issues with passing traffic, trains, aircraft or local schools etc.? Do you have parking on site? E.g. None, 1-2 cars, 2-5 cars etc. etc. What other parking is available? Are there parking restrictions on the road outside? Is there a large car park nearby that crews may be able to use? Are there any other restrictions that the production company needs to know?

Though we are looking for high quality images, you don’t need to go out and buy a large expensive professional camera. Use what you have. Most point and shoot digital cameras on the market today will work just fine.

The maximum file size of each photo should not exceed 8MB. All images should be saved and uploaded as JPEG files. You will only be able to submit a maximum of 20 images of your property, make sure they count!

• If you have more than one property, please submit information and photos for each separately.
• Make sure ALL images are current. Older photos that have been converted to digital files tend to be grainy.
• Be sure to title each photo (i.e. Kitchen, Bathroom, Front of house, etc.)
• Do not submit overly detailed photos. We don’t need to see the decorative details of a fireplace. You should capture the overall aesthetic of the room.
• Consider the time of day and weather. Don’t take pictures when it’s too dark or light outside or during inclement weather.
• Staged photos highlighting people, pets or objects may not be accepted.
• Do not submit video clips, renderings, or brochures – just photos of the actual locations.
• If the property is due to be sold or drastically remodelled in the very near future, please wait to submit photos until the property is in its “final” condition.
• Ensure all photos are properly rotated.