Finding a Location

[Brooks Productions]

I have a couple of projects that are ready to be shot but im having a lot of trouble getting locations.

For one project i want to film i need an executives office, but everywhere i approach turns me down. Its fair enough that they dont want six or seven people they dont know in there offices (even supervised) but its really getting me down.

Have you guys got any ideas how i can these locations in my local area?

Is there some government support group (maybe set up by the UK film council) that helps independent film makers in this department?

[Chance_away_in_the_field]

SCreen commisions

[m0d]

Not really sure what chance means myself, but have you tried approaching local colleges or universities - rather than businesses?

The best way about it I guess ideally would be to have a friend who have some power over this kind of thing - an office manager, etc.

You also say you've been rejected, how many letters or calls did you make? I wouldn't say you've necessarily been turned down if you've only rung 10 or so...you should try calling or writing to 50 businesses to see what they say.

Plus when you're asking always remember to explain how it will benefit them, for example, you may include their company logo or a simple credit at the end which could further their business. Tell them who your movie will be available to and how - and that might get them more interested.

There are a few companies you can rent a location from, offices are about ?100 a day.

Good luck!

[Pete1801]

I believe the previous reply was referring to the UK Film Council's Regional Screen Agencies
(Here)
Your local agency should be able to give you some advice and assistance.

Pete

[richard.fisher]

Film London's location libary in Euston is extensive to the point of being almost unusable in my limited experience. Firstly all the locations listed will expect you to pay, which is fine for once or twice, but most of us who are self-financing can't make a feature that way. Secondly, they have a policy never removing locations from the library, even if the ownership changes hands, or the original owner decides they don't want to invite crews into their property any more. Therefore you make your short list, and find you can't contact the named person, coz they're dead, and the new owners don't know what the fuck you're talking about.

The best practice, as was already stated above, is to use the influence you've built up through years of attending weddings and the like to get friends, family, and neighbours to get you access to buildings. I might be way off, but I recon if you make a long list of everyone you know, most people will know at least one person who works in an office, and one person who works in a shop. Public instituions (i.e. Schools, Unis etc.) are very helpful, as are not for profit organisations, and small businesses. If you approach a small business, 9 times out of 10 you will be talking to the owner. Big business never help, because there is no one given the job of helping amateur film-makers with no money, and so no-one is granted the authority to say yes.

[Brooks Productions]

Ive contacted about 10 businesses in my local area and they all give me the same reason - They dont want to let me and my crew/cast in due to insurance purposes. Its getting to be annoying.

As for the film commissions i got a bit lost in the vastness of there resources like richard.fisher said, there not always as helpful as they want to be.

Mods idea of contacting colleges is pretty good so i guess that will be my next area to check out.

Thanks guy, if i run into any more problems ill reopen this topic

[richard.fisher]

Brooks, could you get round the insurance problem by taking out your own public and employee liability insurance? I don't know, but someone else here might.

[eddie123456789]

Although Insurance is important, I generally think it is used as an excuse, in that they dont want to, cant be arsed with the hassle, cant see whats in it for them, but dont want to appear difficult. And to remain on 'good' terms with you.

Personal contacts is the VERY BEST way to get this kind of thing. Trawl every avenue - Offices are 10 a penny there are millions of them, you must have a tenuous link with someone who works in one. All you need is one, and assure them that you wont break or disturb anything, and insurance probably wont come into it. Buy em a bottle of whiskey for their trouble.

In my experience, unless you have a personal recommendation/contact with a location owner, or are paying for it, then the only people who will help are theatrical types, who understand why you are making a film (just BECAUSE) and what you need - but there are only so many auditoriums/theatres/box offices etc that you can use as locations.

Keep on trying :-)