"We R Film Friendly!"
FAQ
If you’re asking questions, you’re in the right place! When a film or television company needs to do some filming, one of the first decisions they must make is where will we do this? In the early days of the cinema, there was little choice: with bulky equipment and lights, the only place you could film anything was in a studio.
These days, however, most filming and photography is undertaken on location. Smaller cameras, lighting, etc. have made a difference, but more often than not it is simply because it is substantially cheaper than building a set in a studio.
So an industry has grown up supplying locations to the film business. In years gone by, each location-finding-search was fresh: a location scout would be sent out to knock on doors to find the perfect car port, let’s say, for a motor oil commercial. Nowadays there are many location libraries in the USA and elsewhere which can make location finding much easier.
If you think your property might be suitable for use as a filming location, we’d be interested to hear from you and or list your business or residential location, however there’s a few questions you should ask yourself first:
Do I have the right kind of property?
If you think your property might be suitable, we’d be very pleased to hear from you. First, decide whether your property has the right qualities to be a location (see location listing category). Then, please, read this entire page! Once you have everything ready, then by all means send us pics by email, but please, pleas, please, read the below information first!
It’s difficult to say what kind of property might be in demand. Certainly inspirational locations, such as grandiose mansions, loft apartments, hi-tech interiors, are constantly sought. So are larger properties that offer many different locations in one place – a conservatory, a kitchen, an expansive dining room, etc. etc. But just as frequently we are asked for very ordinary locations! There’s an important qualification, however – there’s the practicality of getting a photographic team, or a film crew, into that “ordinary” space. So quite often, successful locations are those that look ordinary but are actually quite large. Also you must bear in mind the distance from the nearest city – our clients will only travel a distance to get to a location that is exceptional or unusual (why travel thirty miles to a property the likes of which can be found one mile away?).
You must have pictures! No amount of description can “sell” your location! Our clients come to our library (or visit the web site) needing to see what your location looks like.
The pictures must be good! A film company or photographer is often working to a deadline: if it comes to a choice between locations, it may well be the quality of the images that decides one over the other. Dark or fuzzy pictures will frustrate rather than entice; a picture of a favorite sculpture does not impart the quality of the room it’s in.
So if you’d like to get listed, please photograph your property thoroughly (inside and out), and send them to us. Because we may wish to put your pictures on the web, it is easier these days to photograph digitally, however we still need prints: we do keep a library of photographs here for reference purposes. If you’re sending us digital images, please see how to list your location. If you can’t photograph digitally, then contact us via email and well find the perfect photographer.
The clearer your photographs, the better the chance they will sell your property to our clients. Don’t be afraid to take photos of the same room from different angles. Clients want a realistic depiction of a location, junky rooms and all, not just the pretty angles! Don’t photograph the trees on either side of the fireplace – we need to see the fireplace too. A frequent problem, of course, is that you can’t get the whole room into one photograph.
What is “Listing WARNING?”
Unfortunately we are inundated with applications to be listed in our library, so we apply strict criteria for acceptance. We will review every application, but it will be rejected if:
- The pictures are too small / not digital;
- Pictures are out of focus / badly exposed;
- There are too few pictures
- Your description mentions features that are not included in the photographs
- Your photos has a watermark other than iwantfilming.net embedded
We will always welcome a location that is photographed well: it makes our life so much easier.
There is no substitute for a wide-angle lens! Not too wide, of course, or the picture may be distorted, and there’s the danger that your bedroom could look the size of a ballroom. Another option is to take a series of photographs and use your computer to ‘stitch’ them together – if you are using this method try and avoid hugely elongated shots that look like they’ve been shot through a letterbox. …And here’s a couple of tips: always photograph your property in daylight hours. You can, make use of available light rather than using flash – it makes your property look much more realistic and inviting.
To maximize the information we have, you should consider shooting a minimum of 24 photographs.
How much could my property earn?
Location fees vary according to the production. Some shoots only take only a few hours; others last for days or weeks. Rates vary enormously, from a few hundred pounds, to many thousands. The key is to have your location land a reoccurring role and you can earn star wages 5 to 6 figures in US dollars.
What is my location Security online with IWF?
Photographs of your property, and your details, are held securely within our offices here in Los Angeles, and another state. The photographs are stored in our library with only the location title (which is NOT your address) and a barcode number as identification. Your details are held in our computer database, which is password protected, and inaccessible from the Internet. Your security is important to us: we will NEVER give out your personal details to any client without your express permission, and without us establishing the authenticity of the request. And if at any time in the future you decide you no longer want to be represented by us, simply let us know and your details and images will be returned to you and/or destroyed
Exclusive or Non-Exclusive?
Many of the locations we represent are exclusively represented by us, in other words they are not on the books of other location libraries. Such a decision is entirely yours, and may be influenced by the type of location you have.
If your location is ‘ordinary’ (is there such a thing?) you may decide to get it seen by as many location people as possible by registering it with many location libraries.
If, on the other hand, your location is likely to generate a lot of interest from film companies, advertising agencies, etc., we recommend that you consider signing exclusively with us. The advantages are as follows:
- We will ensure the location pictures feature prominently in our web site. (Iwantfilming.net web library is the largest and most comprehensive in the USA – and the most widely used – so being represented at all on our site is a guarantee that top decision-makers within the location industry will view your location. Exclusively represented properties are ensured a higher position within our category pages, increasing your profile.)
- We will be printing and issuing a location sheet (pdf) that will be distributed to our private mailing list of 1,800 top professionals in the feature film industry, and to advertising agencies, television companies and photographers. Click here to view a Sample location fact sheet.
- Listing your location as a film friendly location may generate income, it is unlikely to be your primary business – and your time is precious. With exclusive representation you will have one point of contact to run your location “policies ” for you, giving a clear view on what’s happening and when.
- Our full-time staff of location co-coordinators will handle contractual matters. We have years of experience handling the most complex of shoots in the most sensitive of locations, and so can considerably ease the process for you. Our staff’s knowledge of your site and its special requirements can avoid the many pitfalls that can arise.
- We will be polite but firm about your pricing structure. Since we handle so many shoots per year, we know the right price for the job and will negotiate the best possible price on your behalf.
The decision to be exclusive or otherwise is completely yours. Please contact us to discuss this further.
Why register with I Want Filming™?
We scout and organize locations for film production companies, television companies, advertising agencies and photographers. We are the longest established company in the industry supplying this service, and have led the field in property and location management. Our web database has the largest selection of quality locations available anywhere, which is why we process hundreds of film and photographic shoots annually.
Our team of location librarians marketing staff and managers are highly experienced in dealing with the demands and pressures of the business, and will do our best to make certain that your filming experience is both lucrative and trouble-free.
So if you’d like to register your property as a location, go to our how to listing your location
