Are you looking for a unique way to generate some extra income? Well, this isn’t for everyone but if you happen to be lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time it could be a fun moneymaker. In the old days, most movies were filmed on soundstages. But these days, filmmakers want the look of authenticity so they like to shoot on location. Even though they may not film entirely on location, they like to film at least the exterior scenes on location and then recreate the interiors in the studio.
Renting Your Home as a Film Shoot Location for Extra Income
Even though the cinematic world has developed beyond all proportions and now includes animation and special effects, the real-life world and physical locations still reign supreme.
How much can you earn by renting your home as a film shoot location?
Let’s be honest – the first thing you want to know is whether or not you will be able to earn a considerable sum of money by renting out your home. According to Locations Hub “The industry rate per day is generally your monthly mortgage payment. For example, if your monthly mortgage is $2000, then your rental income as a film location is $2,000 per day.” So if they only use your home for 12 days it could cover your mortgage payment for an entire year!
Of course, the pay will depend on how well your home is equipped and how nice it looks. Secondly, it will depend on the location of your home, as there are some states in which more movies are made. Thirdly, it will depend on how much the production company has to spend and what type of project they are working on. Obviously, how much you will earn from renting your home as a film shoot location depends on your unique situation. Considering the money that you can make from it, it’s definitely worth looking into.
What can you expect after renting your house to a film crew?
The first thing you need to understand is that while you think of your house as your home, the film crew thinks of it as a movie set. Since you have probably never worked around a movie production film before, you might feel overwhelmed once you get the ball rolling. In case you are too uncomfortable, you can always hire a Film Site Representative. Their services aren’t cheap, though. They cost a few hundred dollars per day, but in return, you get someone who will protect your property instead of you.
Often filmmakers will leave the film location in even better condition than before. They may leave you with a fresh coat of paint, new landscaping, or even a new kitchen or bathroom. Basically, any changes the director deems necessary to accommodate the authentic look of the film.
How to Protect Your Home after Renting it as a Filming Location?
In most cases, you will find your home just as you left it after the crew finishes. However, it never hurts to be sure of that by taking a few extra measures of protection. For starters, it’s a good idea to rent out a storage unit where you will put all of the furniture and other items of value. Whether you want to preserve wooden pieces or fragile items, you need to make sure that you rent a climate-controlled storage unit. This is of particular importance if you are living in a place with a harsh climate.
Secondly, as a homeowner, it is your job to ask the crew for a copy of the insurance. Bear in mind that less than 1% of all film shoots performed in someone’s house end up needing insurance. However, it never hurts to be as safe as possible. Another thing you can do is ask the production crew to take photos of each room and their ‘how-they-found-it’ state. They could later use that picture when they are finished so that they can know how to put everything back together. Again, please remember that renting your home as a film shoot location is perfectly safe most of the time.
Signing the Contract – What is there to know?
Just like when buying life insurance, getting a new job, or buying a new property, a contract is necessary when renting your property to a film crew. And just like the process of signing any other contract, there are some things that you should keep in mind. The actual contract can contain several different sections. It might cover the length of the shoot, the compensation, crew size, overtime rate, and so much more. You’ll receive a contract from the movie crew, and that’s probably when you will find out about some of the details.
If you have any doubts, questions, or concerns, we always suggest talking to a professional. Whether that’s a lawyer or a location agent, you want to resolve all the problematic details with someone who is qualified. It’s never a good idea to put your signature on a dotted line when you don’t have all the information.
The Bottom Line
Renting your home as a film shoot location can definitely bring you extra income. And a lot of it. The only question is whether or not you are willing to open up your home to strangers. We don’t suggest that you do anything that you are not fully comfortable with. Of course, it never hurts to explore your options. Besides, how amazing would it be to see your home on the big screen? This is definitely something you should look into, especially if you are lacking money. The final decision, however, is only up to you!
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