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For The Community

We provide resources for the Palmdale community to become informed and get involved in the local film industry!

 

Renting Out Your Home or Business
Who’s in Charge of Locations?

These are the key players you’ll meet with and who will determine whether your location will suit the project's needs.

Location Scout / Manager

This person is responsible for finding various potential locations as described in the script. Although they don’t make the final decision, they do provide options, along with pictures, to the Director and Producers. They will likely be the first person to contact you. If they move forward, the Location Manager, UPM and Art Director will follow up on an inspection of the potential location.

Unit Production Manager (UPM) / Line Producer

This person oversees all the details and production arrangements – from contract negotiations to shooting schedules. The Location Manager works with and reports to them on all aspects of filming at a location.

The Director

This person manages “the vision” of the script by directing the actors and assembling the crew members. While there is a chance you may meet with the Director if your location is chosen, their focus will be on the actors during production. Instead, aside from the Location manager, you will likely be engaging with the First Assistant Director (AD) and Second AD.

1st AD (First Assistant Director) and 2nd AD

The First AD is an intermediary between the Director and the cast and crew, allowing the Director to focus on coaching the actors for the upcoming scene. The Second AD is the First AD’s “Right Hand.”

What They Look For in a Location
  • Does the property meet the script’s requirements?
  • Is there ample parking nearby for a basecamp and crew parking?
  • Is there an area for the caterer to set up a tent, tables and chairs to feed the cast and crew?
  • Is there easy access to transport essential equipment to the property?
  • Is the owner agreeable to allowing the crew access inside (for a fee)?
  • Are the neighbors or tenants amenable?

What Happens Next? 

If the production company likes your location, the Location Manager will return for a “tech scout” with the Director, the First AD, the Production Manager and the Art Director to inspect the location. After the tech scout, the First AD will assemble a shooting schedule and email call sheets to the actors and crew.

The Art Director may want to know if furniture or personal possessions can be moved, as they may bring in rented furniture, props or set dressing for the scenes. This is taken care of by the members of the Art Department responsible for moving furniture, the Swing Gang, and usually happens the day before the shoot to prep the location.

Once you agree to the amount of compensation in the terms of a Temporary Rental Contract of your property, you should be given a Copy of Insurance (COI) indemnifying you as “additionally insured” in the terms.    

Day of Shoot

 

The First AD and the Production Manager plan the shooting schedule to be as efficient as possible. In some cases, a location may only be needed for a couple of scenes or a shot or two. They may issue a company move, or Split Day, in which the whole operation moves from its first location to a second or even a third.

The first location will usually serve as the company’s basecamp where the crew will keep their cars and return for meals.

Shoot days can be long and demanding — 13-hour days are typical.

Once filming is done for the day, the Location Manager will tour the property with the owner to inspect all areas that the production occupied, looking for any damage that may have occurred during the shoot.

The Location Manager will fill out a production report to give to the UPM. If there is any damage, the property owner can either have the production company make arrangements to have it repaired, have an outside company provide a bid to make the repair or file an insurance claim to get it repaired.

NOTE: In California, you do not have to pay state income tax to rent your home as a film location for up to 14 days per year. Check with your tax pro for the specific details.

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Have questions?

Visit our FAQ or contact our film liaison, David Halver.