| So you're ready to lens your independent production. You're done with all the essential pre-production elements like final script draft, final casting, and special makeup effects. The last thing you have to find is a place (or places) to film your epic. Sometimes this is easier said than done. I've made a dozen low-budget horror movies and still find myself learning in the quest for cool locations. I'd like to share some of the info and shortcuts with you interested readers, which hopefully include some first-time film/videomakers. The first thing I'd like to say is, if you have zero budget dollars behind you, the first thing you have to do is think about locations while writing the script. Think about what you have around you that's available for free, and who you know. For instance, if you have a buddy that owns a used car lot, write a scene in your script that takes place at a used car lot. It's pretty simple, really. Obviously, your own home is an ideal place for a location, especially for indoor scenes where a character may reside. But if you want to add production value to your flick and take it beyond the status of "backyard", you'll have to do some negotiating. This can be pretty smooth sailing, really, because lots of people are receptive to being involved with a movie. If you're making a graphic horror or sex movie, obviously that can be a hindrance against you at certain places. Your choices are either finding somewhere else or building a set. Building a set is costly, so you might consider what I sometimes do: just tell the person you movie is a "thriller" or an "action piece". Usually, the individual doesn't ask much more and with the sometimes limited distribution your movie receives, they'll never know one way or the other. Of course, this only applies if you're not planning to film something outrageously objectionable at that particular place and how big your distribution plan is going to be. Generally, if you sign your movie up with a bigger distributor they will require that you provide actor releases, copyright info, and location releases from everywhere you shot, just to protect themselves from lawsuits. My Location Contracts that I use are simple and to the point. It's probably a good idea to get a location contract signed at ANY location, even a friend's house. That way you have more leverage against them if they decide you can't shoot there when everyone's already arrived and you're unpacking your gear. You may not win the battle, but at least you have something to back you up. Also, if you don't finish a scene at a particular location and the person that owns the property didn't sign a contract and doesn't want you back, you're pretty much out of luck! And you wasted valuable shooting time. My Location Contracts read like this: PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED TO (THE FILMMAKER), TO USE THE PROPERTY AND ADJACENT AREA, LOCATED AT (LOCATION ADDRESS), FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECORDING SCENES (INT. & EXT.) FOR SAID MOTION PICTURE (TITLE), WITH THE RIGHT TO EXHIBIT ALL OR ANY PART OF SAID SCENE(S) THROUGHOUT THE WORLD; SAID PERMISSION SHALL INCLUDE THE RIGHT TO BRING PERSONNEL & EQUIPMENT (INCLUDING PROPS) ONTO SAID PROPERTY, AND TO REMOVE AND CLEAN UP THE SAME THEREFROM AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK. ANY UNREASONABLE DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE PRODUCTION WILL BE FIXED, REPAIRED AND/OR CLEANED WITHIN REASON, AT THE PRODUCTION'S EXPENSE. "PRODUCER" SHALL NOT HOLD PROPERTY OWNER RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PERSONNEL INJURIES THAT MAY RESULT WHILE SHOOTING ON THE PREMISES. THIS PERMISSION IS GRANTED FOR A PERIOD OF (# OF DAYS, TIMES) AT THE AGREED UPON PRICE OF (EITHER A SMALL MONETARY FEE OR SCREEN CREDIT). Then everyone signs the contract. That's pretty straight forward and everyone's interests are pretty much protected. If an accident does happen on a private homeowner's property, their homeowner's insurance would usually cover an injury, even though you've technically "waived" those rights. But at most private locations, the owner's insurance would help out in the event of a problem. | | |
