So I do micro short budget films. So far I've been having great success filming mostly outdoors and apartment spaces. But as my ideas have been expanding, my locations are getting more complicated. This latest project I needed an office with a conference table, which I found a beautiful, free space through a friend. We ended up losing it because they got nervous about insurance issues. I ended up paying for a very small and not as nice office space that did the job, but was a compromise. My question for folks is.... how the hell do you find affordable locations that still appeal to what you need for your film? Any links or websites you know of? Thanks
Here's the film that had the issue for context:
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Start investing in your own sets. I knew a guy who moved into a really bad part of town just to rent a huge industrial loft for what he would have paid to live in a much smaller home in a better area. Buy secondhand stuff from yard sales, Goodwill, etc., and build a collection of props and furniture (including wardrobe). It will take time, and you'll have to make sacrifices in many regards, but you'll save money in the long run and be prepared for most shoots! :)
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Great little film! Who cued the seagulls in the beach scene? Ha!
Have you considered befriending a professional location scout on Facebook? They keep files/pics on all types of locations. Explain you're an up-and-comer with a no-budget project and ask for any help/advice they can offer.
It's all about networking. Get to know a lifeguard; he'll advise/open doors on beach shoots. Get to know a firefighter; he'll make sure cops leave you alone on street shoots 'cause they're in the same "fraternity". Get to know teachers; they'll arrange so you can shoot free at their school, maybe even get you a school bus. Get to know film students; they'll smile their way into any office/conference room on campus.
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These are excellent suggestions. I'll have to look into location scouts. I know I'm not the only one with this problem. And Erik I'm shocked you don't believe those birds flew through the shot coincidentally ;) Thanks guys for your advice.
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The bane of my existence! I have several award winning short scripts that I can't produce for lack of suitable locations. I live out in the country so I have to rely young folk in town - they all want to be Directors but none of them want to do the actual grunt work to make it happen - like stoop so low as to be location scouts.
Like C Harris said; I cruse the Starvation Army, Goodwill and the other junk shops in town every couple of weeks for props and wardrobe, but the pickings are pretty slim.
I try to work with film students - see comment above. My experience with the schools has been less than encouraging.
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A lot of writer/producers reverse-engineer their films, basing their scripts/films from the very start on locations readily available to them. There are urban writers who would kill to have country locations nearby, and vice versa. Wasn't it Ben Franklin who said "What seek ye abroad that is not to be found at home?".
I was waiting for an orgy fantasy scene...oh well!!! Every location has 2 main problems, of course, sound and lighting. Your lighting at the office building was flat. But it gets by. Sound pretty good. What I want to see from you now is a story that is deep, meaningful... leaves me knocked out. Doug always substitutes for locations. To Victory.
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Story first, location second! ;) The skill of writing for a low-budget film is to make it low-budget. Or develop negotiating skills! I used local businesses for my short in exchange for lots of promo on social media etc... One trick is to have the kind of social media presence ahead of the shoot which makes potential locations want to be part of your project. promote the strengths of your crew and cast before you need to start asking for stuff for free ;) Good luck!
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These are all excellent posts! It seems everyone's suggestions are pretty consistent: Know people. I agree with Erik's reverse engineering thing and usually do that, but I lost my original space that I had lined up. I think this is a super interesting conversation and I appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge with me.
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Yes the lighting is a little flat, but the overall lighting in every office tends to be flat. he conference room setting is pretty dull - but aren't most office conference rooms? I get it. Her workaday world is pretty dull and this is her way of hanging in there. Making it more cinematic would, in this case, detract from the story. Well done Julie
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Yeah as has been said your 'compromise' location works perfectly with the storyline. As far as finding locations, it is all about networking and having a solid presentation to make them want to let you shoot never hurts either.
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Locations aren't really that difficult to find for very little (or no) money, but most places will ask you about insurance. Short term film production insurance is not that expensive and can open a lot of doors. You are also taking a big risk every time you film without it.
Hey Robert! Thanks for the info. This may sound like a silly question, but I am woefully inexperienced in these matters. Where do you even get film production insurance? SAG wanted some as well for a webseries I was putting through signatory.
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There are many insurance agencies that cover film production, there are even agents I've seen here on S32. Just google "short term film production insurance."
Cool! thanks everyone for the advice!
But really micro-budget??? Forget about it. Julie, I have a good story for you to do next. You have to raise your game and get a little dark. Tell me if you want to read it.
Hey Julie, I have my go-to people now for insurance, but when I first started I got my insurance at this website: https://www.filmemporium.com/ -- hopefully that helps getting you started! It may sound like a big expense at first, but insurance is immensely important! More and more people will ask you for it
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Hire a film student and use the college insurance, their equipment, campus to shoot or rent equipment, SAG waivers.
When I was doing music videos, I'd pay $300-$500 to use somebody's else production insurance.
Hustle. Lots of ways to get stuff cheap.
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Not sure if they have locations in your area, but Stage 32 partners with Peerspace https://www.stage32.com/peerspace