If your location works for the production company, the location manager will return for a “tech scout '' with the Director, the 1st AD, the Production Manager, and the Art Director, to inspect the location. After the tech scout, the AD puts together a shooting schedule and call sheets are emailed out, which include call times.
The Art Director may want to know if furniture or personal possessions can be moved, as they may bring in rented furniture, props, or “set dressing” for the scenes. This is taken care of by the Swing Gang, members of the Art Deparment responsible for moving furniture.
The Art Department and the Grip & Electric Departments frequently come in the day prior to shoot day to “prep” a set on the location.
Once you agree to the amount of compensation in the terms of a Temporary Rental Contract of your property, you should be given a COI (Copy of Insurance) indemnifying you as “additionally insured” in the terms.
Day of Shoot
The 1st AD and the Production Manager plan the shooting schedule to be as efficient as possible. In some cases, a location may only be needed for just a couple of scenes or just a shot or two. They may issue a company move, or “Split Day,” which usually refers to “shoot days,” in which the whole operation moves from their first location to a second, or even a third.
The first location will usually serve as the company’s basecamp, where the crew will keep their cars and return later on for lunch.
Shoot days can be long and demanding–13 hour days are typical. After 6 hours, the crew breaks for a half-hour to one-hour lunch. If days run late and the Producer decides to “go over,” a “second meal” is brought in 6 hours after the initial lunch break.
Once filming is done for the day, “It’s a wrap!” is called out, and the crew packs up to go home. The Location Manager will then tour the property with the owner to inspect all areas that the production occupied, looking for any damage that may have occurred during the shoot.
The Location Manager will fill out a production report to give to the UPM. If there is any damage, the property owner can either have the production company make arrangements to have it repaired, have an outside company provide a bid to make the repair, or file an insurance claim to get it repaired.
Note: In the state of California, you do not have to pay state income tax on up to 14 days of the rental of your home as a film location per year. Check with your tax pro for the specific details.
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