The do's and don'ts

Being a successful location isn't just about opening your door and taking the cheque. There are lots of things as an owner you can do to make the shoot go smoothly and keep clients coming back again in future. Here are our do's and don'ts of running a successful shoot. 

The film and photographic industries work to tight timescales - we might get asked for ideas in the morning and be on the phone arranging recce's (viewings) by the afternoon. If the client is on a tight schedule, then they will want to narrow down their long-list rapidly. It is frustrating for everyone concerned if we can't get hold of you.  So please do keep your mobile close at hand and check-in to messages and emails regularly - it might just mean the difference between getting the job or missing out. 

"Please do keep your mobile close at hand and check-in to messages and emails regularly". 

It stands to reason that the more accommodating you are, the more that crews will enjoy filming or shooting at your location. And if everything goes smoothly and works the way they wanted, they will remember and hopefully, be back.  You don't have to agree to everything, especially if it is an unreasonable request. Our job to be clear about what they want to do and get your agreement. However, small things like saying "yes" to the use of rooms for hair and make-up, allowing them to use some of the facilities in the house and agreeing for them to remove and replace furniture carefully, go a long way. 

It is so important that when a client arrives, they can get started straight away. Your property must be clean and tidy with any clutter put away. If you're making a bathroom available (which all but the biggest productions will need), make sure that there is plenty of loo roll and clean towels.

"Your property must be clean and tidy with any clutter put away."

Sometimes several years may have passed since you photographed your property and a location that looked pristine on our website can look tired in real life. It is your responsibility to make sure that you keep your property in good condition and that the photos on our site are representative. 

Yes, it is your home, but you've hired it to the production, and if you don't leave them alone to get on with their jobs it can be very frustrating, not to say irritating for the crew. We recommend being on-hand when they arrive to show them where everything is. Give them a way to get hold of you if they have questions or issues during the day, and then make yourself scarce until they're wrapping up. It is undoubtedly a good idea to be there at the end for a walk-around with a crew member. Use this time to make sure everything has been put back correctly and that no damage has been caused.

You don't need to leave the house (unless you want to) so we recommend keeping somewhere free of filming for you and your family to go and get on with things during the day. Checking in regularly to make sure that they're sticking to the what was agreed is a good idea, but following them around with a dustpan and brush isn't!

Lots of filming and photography naturally involves actors and celebrities (this is one of the upsides to renting your house out as a film location!). Friends and family can be very inventive in finding reasons to visit on shoot days, but remember, the cast and crew are working and probably won't appreciate an audience. We advise you to seek permission from the location manager before arranging any autograph or selfie sessions with your friends. 

Many film and TV production companies are very hot on confidentiality. Most film location contracts come with clauses which mean that you must keep all information about the nature of the filming completely confidential. In this day of smartphone cameras and social media, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage privacy and confidentiality. However, no one should take any photos or video footage of the proceedings or the cast without permission. If your teenagers are star-struck and likely to post pictures all over Instagram, it is probably best to keep them out of the way!

"If your teenagers are star-struck and likely to post pictures all over Instagram, it is probably best to keep them out of the way!"

Our clients must be able to rely on the photos on our website as they may not choose to recce your location before the shoot. If you refurbish or redecorate, then please update your photos. Even if you swap a large item of furniture (e.g. you've sold the grand piano) let us know and send a replacement photo. 

Hiring your house out for film and photographic shoots will increase the number of people coming in and out of your home, which will inevitably lead to increased wear and tear. Although most shoots will do everything they can to protect floors and paintwork, it is likely that small marks and scratches will occur and that these may mount up over time.  Wear and tear comes with the territory, and you should probably budget for redecorating your house or cleaning your carpets more frequently than usual. 

If you are very house proud and want to keep your home immaculate at all times, then perhaps renting out your home for filming and photoshoots isn't for you.