If you are reading this, then most likely one of our students has asked you if they can use your home or place of business as a film set. We appreciate you taking the time to consider this request and sincerely hope you can help our students. We make nearly 200 films a year and without the generous support of people like yourself, we simply couldn’t do it.
Your gift to our students is important to us. We hold our students to the highest standards of professionalism, and stress the importance of working in a safe, courteous, and organized manner. We know how valuable your property is to you, and we understand that asking you to share it with us is a huge imposition.
WHAT TO EXPECT
How many people will be here?
It takes many people to make a film. A typical student crew consists of 12-15 students, plus actors and a couple of extra volunteers. Be sure to ask how many students, actors, and volunteers will be involved.
What will they bring?
It takes a lot of equipment to make a movie; cameras, sound, lights, stands, sand bags, rigging gear, generators, cables, camera dollies, and more. Our students are trained to operate this equipment safely and securely. Be sure to ask where this equipment will be “staged” when not in use, where the main cables will be run, and where trucks and cars will be parked.
How long will they be here?
Our students work by union rules, which stipulate the number of hours they are able to work. A typical work day is 12 hours, plus one hour for lunch. However, the crew will begin arriving approximately a half-hour before work and usually take a half-hour at the end of the day to pack up and clean. Be sure to ask what time the crew will begin to arrive and what time the last person will leave. In addition, the students will typically need to come to the location to plan and decorate in the days leading up to the shoot.
Location agreements
If you choose to donate the use of your property, be sure that the following happens:
- The student gives you a copy of the script and answers any questions you may have.
- The student completes with you a Location Shooting Plan Agreement that states in written form exactly where they may work, where they may park their vehicles, what times they have access and any other terms which you may wish to stipulate.
- The student presents you with a Location Agreement to sign. This allows us to use the location and waives your liability should one of our students get hurt.