location Filming 101
If you are a homeowner or someone who operates a business in Washington, you may be visiting this site because of a note you received from me, or because of a random knock on your door. It can be very strange to get a request for filming. On more than one occasion, I’ve been met with skepticism or even hostility when I first approach someone’s house or business. It’s an understandable reaction– we’re all used to folks coming to our door on behalf of politicians we don’t like, religions we don’t support, or in an attempt to sell us something we don’t want. Getting asked about film production is the last thing most people expect.
Often folks are excited once they get past their initial assumption that I’m there to sell vacuum cleaners or magazine subscriptions or whatever. But saying “yes” to a filming request can be a big decision. Part of my job is educating location owners about the filming process, so you have a clear understanding of what to expect. If you need a little more information before deciding what’s best, here’s a rundown of some things to consider.
First off, it’s important to note that every project is different. I work on tiny corporate videos involving 4 people and a handheld camera, and I also work on movies and commercials with dozens of crewmembers and truckloads of equipment. These notes are just general guidelines– I encourage you to ask lots of questions of me, or any other location scout who may have contacted you. It’s important that you have a willingness to experience something new, and are comfortable having a lot of people and equipment on and around your property. If you’re flexible and accommodating in that regard, filming can be a great experience.
The rest of this post I’ll try to answer some of the typical questions location owners ask.
HOW LONG WILL YOU BE HERE? The film industry is infamous for working very long hours. A work “day” on a movie set is usually 12-15 hours in length. Commercial days are usually a bit shorter, at 10 hours. But in any case, if we are talking about a full day (or days) at your place, you can assume we’re there for a long time.
WILL YOU TAKE CARE OF MY PROPERTY? Film crews typically have lots of people and equipment, including lights, stands, dollies (rolling platforms for the camera), TV monitors, rolling carts, and more. Depending on the size and scope of the project, we may also ask to move or temporarily replace furniture. In all cases, I’ll look at the property with you to determine if there are any steps we need to take to make sure no damage is done. Often it’s similar to what a moving company might do– we’ll put protective coverings down on the floor to reduce the chance of skid marks or spills, and protect walls and banisters to make sure nothing gets dinged. We’ll also work with you to determine what objects should be removed before we arrive. The vast majority of film crews are very experienced at filming in homes or other tight spaces, it’s very rare that any major damage occurs. But we’ll take whatever steps are needed prior to the crew arriving to make sure your place is kept in great shape.
WHAT IF SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS? Prior to any film activity, we’ll sign a contract with you that clearly states the parameters of our agreement and protects you in the event anything unfortunate happens. The typical contract will include the following provisions: 1) a statement that you are the rightful owner or otherwise a person authorized to grant us permission to film on the property, 2) an outline of the days and times we intend to be onsite, 3) a release of all liability for the homeowner, 4) a listing of the permissions being granted (or not granted) regarding the use of logos, artwork, or other specifics of the property, and 5) a breakdown of the fees being paid. Separately, most production companies will also issue an insurance certificate, which insures the location owners and any other relevant entities that require coverage.
WILL I GET PAID? A lot of people jump straight to this section. :-) In the majority of cases, a production will pay some sort of negotiated fee for use of the location. These fees can vary widely. They are typically based on the overall budget of the project, the perceived value of the location, and the timing. If it’s a tiny project with little or no money to offer, compensation may be nothing more than a hearty thank you. But for most commercials or large projects, some sort of fee is involved. Speaking VERY generally, commercials tend to have more money available than feature films. This seems backwards to many people, but is usually true. Daily rates for filming might range from a few hundred bucks to a few thousand. When negotiating a rate with you, I’ll be honest about what sort of range is realistic for a particular project.
When filming at a workplace, the rate is often determined based on any potential loss of business that might be incurred, as well as by whatever staff might be required to assist the film production. Often for restaurants or shops we’ll try to film on days when the business is closed, in order to keep those costs down.
CAN WE WATCH? WHAT ABOUT PICTURES AND AUTOGRAPHS? On projects that feature high profile actors, it can be exciting to see recognizable faces at your place. Most productions will ask that you respect their privacy and do not interfere while they are working. It’s also very important that you do not take any photos without permission, or post anything to Facebook or other social media. In many cases I can provide you with some photos or other mementos after the filming is concluded, but this often needs to be coordinated with several people so it can’t always be guaranteed. If you’d like to observe the filming process, I’ll work with you to determine a good time and place on set where you can check things out.
DO I NEED TO BE THERE? If we’re filming at your home, it’s usually best if you make plans to not be there during the majority of filming. This is for your convenience as much as that of the film crew–because of all the activity, it may be difficult for you do to any of the normal things you might do at home, such as cook meals, watch TV, or even sleep. If a production is going to use your house for multiple days, we’ll usually make arrangements to provide you with some alternative lodging.
WHAT ABOUT MY NEIGHBORS? For a large production like a movie or bigger commercial, there may be impacts to your neighborhood as well, usually in terms of street parking, lights or noise. Prior to any filming, we make an extensive effort to communicate with the neighborhood and identify any concerns folks may have. Particularly if we are filming at night, we will contact all neighbors directly to obtain their permission for our activities. I will also often coordinate with homeowners’ associations, the chamber of commerce, or any other relevant organizations to make sure everyone knows what is going on.
I hope this answers some of the questions you may have about filming on location. Above all, don’t hesitate to ask lots of questions. Thanks for reading!