What happens when you shoot at my house/property?

 Most commercial and broadcast productions happen as follows:

Creative delivered to Scout

Scouts usually receive a printed treatment which shows, pictorially and with text, what the main shots of the commercial are intended to look like. A discussion will then take place between the scout and the director, to discuss creative vision, and more details as to what the production will need from a location.

Research creative treatment

Now that the broad strokes of the creative have been established, locations are presented which reflect the scouts understanding of the initial creative, and perhaps offer up possibilities to solve problems, or enrich the concept. Images are presented in many ways. Online, in transmitted image files, or via printed images. Initial scouting for look and feel.

More creative input and refining scout

Directors and producers will look over the initial scouting images, and pick one or two directions they wish the scout to follow.

Present refined scout (10-20 files)

More files will be added to the offering to the director/producer team, and sometimes it is necessary to refresh pictures of locations which the director has already shown interest in.

 Pick top 3-5 picks (selects)

The director will then select 3 – 5 locations in which they are interested in going to see, in the hope of finding t-3 to present to the client.

Clear selects for filming. Permit and fee

The scout will then submit filming permits (when necessary) and discuss budget with the location to ensure everyone is clear on what needs to be done, how long it will take, and how much it will cost. The scout might at this point, ask you to sign a contract to ensure to a producer that the bases are covered for all locations.

Director Go/See selects

Sometimes the Director of Photography and the Art Director will also accompany the director/producer on this visit. Someone from the location should be in attendance to both answer questions from the production company, but to ask any/all questions pertinent to the location.

Production presents selects

A final presentation will be made, in which the client and advertising agency work with the director/producer to ensure the best location for all involved is selected.

Final location is announced

The producer will call the scout, and let them know at what location this job will be filmed. The scout immediately informs the location liaison about the interest to film, and starts the process of insuring and permitting the location. If no contract has been signed, it is now critical to do so.

Letter neighbourhood for filming

All members of the neighbourhood, commercial, industrial, or residential, may need to be informed by hand delivered letter, about the details pertaining to the shooting. Contact info for the location department is included in this letter, and any/all comments from the community will be fielded.

Technical Scout (6-10 people)

The heads of all departments converge on the selected location(s). Many questions may be raised by production to ensure the staff orders the appropriate equipment to accomplish the job. At this time all final paperwork, including insurance, should be presented to the location liaison. Art Directors will also disclose what they need to do to the location to create the look and feel the director wants.

Prep house/neighbourhood for filming

Prior to any work taking place, the locations department will arrive with a crew to ensure the location is secured against damage from the production process. Floors, and walls would be protected, as well as the removal/storage of furniture or equipment as may be necessary. Every effort will be taken to ensure no damage takes place as a result of the filming process.

Dress, redecorate house

Production may require time prior to actual filming to add or subtract elements from the house. As well it may be necessary to change the look/feel of a room(s). Furniture and other objects may have to be moved to other parts of the house, so the Art Department can bring in other objects.

Shoot House

The filming day will usually being in the early morning. The earliest in a residential location is 7am. Filming can begin earlier, but only with the permission of the rest of the neighbourhood. The production department usually shows up 1 hour prior to the actual shooting crew. The crew will require a sit down lunch, usually about 6 hours after the arrival of the main crew. Filming in residential areas can not go later than 11pm, without permission as mentioned above for early arrival.

Wrap and Cleanup House

The production wrap out takes precedence when filming has been completed. Equipment and staff need to be off the clock as quickly as possible. The art department (set dressers) will then take out any remaining dressing and equipment. Shortly thereafter, a cleaner will arrive and begin to clean the location in the areas where the production worked. Not just the filming areas, but any areas where the crew and staff were allowed to work. Such cleaning might also be done by location representatives if previously arranged. Such arrangements should be laid out in the location contract.

For additional information please contact: locator@setnet.ca

Some Government Sites With Info on Filming

• Toronto Film and Television Office

• Regional Film Commissions (southern Ontario)