So You Want (Your Apartment) to Be in Pictures
APRIL 26, 2011
Earn some cash—and bragging rights—by renting out your home as a film or TV location.
Film companies are always on the lookout for interior locations that meet their needs. If you’re willing to put up with a bit of inconvenience, your apartment could be perfect. It’s not always the biggest or fanciest that that strikes a location scout’s fancy—the space only needs to fit the description for the scene and be able to accomodate all the right angles. You could make as much as $10,000 a day depending on the budget and size of the production. Some guidelines: Iconic spaces such as big downtown lofts and classic prewar apartments are most in demand. Walk-ups above the second floor are generally avoided, as they make it hard to bring in the tons of required equipment (via Brick Underground).
How do you get your home on the list? Look for flyers. Location scouts leave them when they’re looking for a location in a particular neighborhood. Get listed with a real estate agent or service specializing in film location rental (aka locations is one example). These location services are often the first stop for location scouts and producers. Check in with the city. The Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting is a good resource for listing services as well as what you should know once your home has been chosen as a location. If your space is chosen for a shoot, make sure you’re working with a reputable company that carries insurance to cover anything that gets damaged—they’re generally required to provide a security deposit—and make sure you read the contract before you sign and before the cameras start rolling. You may also want to check with your landlord, as some have strict rules about filming in the building (via TimeOut New York). You can often negotiate or add items to the contract—some tenants even stipulate that they get a chance to meet the actors during filming.
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