Requests from film/photo crews without disclosing their intent

[Don-And-Emily0]

Hi Everybody,

We have had several requests from film crews who wanted to rent our house, however, they don’t like to disclose upfront what they plan on doing… later on in the vetting process,  they start asking if they could “snap a photo or two” for an ad campaign

Of course when you start asking for a location fee and a certificate of Insurance they back out.

Have any of you had such requests and how do you handle them?

[Don-And-Emily0]

@William810  Good point. I think the motive is financial as they try to save on the location fee. One of them was trying to film an Ad Campaign for a Tea Company and offered to pay us in Tea. I’m not kidding. We looked them up and it was a well known production company. It makes you wonder… 

[Ruth413]

@Don-And-Emily0   We've also had a film and photo crew here.  They were really upfront and explained what it was going to be used for although they weren't allowed to say a specific name of the product as it was for a new release, although after some internet digging I worked it out, asked the head man and he acknowledged that but I was told to keep it top secret.  They also paid a one off fee, which included a location fee and rights to use the photos for their project.  All in all it was a great experience and they worked around us and when we were happy to host them.   

I would say always charge a location fee and rights for photos etc.  and also check out the name of the company, do your research.  There is no reason why they wouldn't disclose their intent but obviously like it the case of ours, certain aspects were a secret.  Good luck.  

[Don-And-Emily0]

Glad you had a good experience. We had 4 inquiries and they all tried to use the house as lodging and filming for the listed rental price which is very dishonest.

We found out of their plans only when we started asking questions about how the house will be used. My wife worked as a stylist early in her career and is aware that one day’s location fee is usually the monthly rent for the property.

Also, every crew needs to show proof of insurance since they bring in equipment and employees onto our property. If they cause any damage to the house (which happens often with film crews equipment) or if any employee of theirs gets hurt, they need to be insured so we are not liable. 

I wish @Airbnb would address this issue in their rules and regulations.

[Alexandra316]

@Don-And-Emily0 I think that @Ann72 has had some experience with this. @Huma0 too but I'm noflt sure if she's around at the moment. My place definitely isn't special enough! 

[Huma0]

@Alexandra316 

I hope you are well!

Yes, I have had some experience of this and found that Airbnb is not a great place for shoot bookings. I have had many enquiries but people seem to think that they can rent the house for a film or photo shoot (most often for commercial purposes, such as advertising/marketing) for the nightly rate of a room. They don't realise that I'm quite aware of location costs in London as a magazine editor and also having had my house listed with a big location agency.

The only bookings I took were one from some film students, which I 100% regret and which taught me some valuable lessons and one from a professional photographer doing tests for a model agency, which was no stress at all.

I always ask about the following if this info hasn't already been provided (which it rarely is):

1. What is the purpose of the shoot, i.e. what will the photos/footage be used for?

2. How many people in total?

3. Which areas of the house do they intend to use, including any requirements for hair/make up/styling/costume and catering, equipment etc.

4. The exact hours (make it clear that overtime will be charged after that)

5. Parking requirements

6. Insurance

7. Budget

Most people run away once they realise I'm not going to let a 20 person film crew take over my house for 12 hours for £50!

[Laura2592]

@Don-And-Emily0 we are a photo location for local photographers and get those requests. I have an agreement I send to them, along with questions about their insurance. I do NOT book through ABB but charge a location fee directly. More and more small outfits are looking to ABB as an easy location for everything from student films to porn. If I get an inquiry I say-

"Thanks for your interest. As ABB is a lodging website, we don't book for photography here. Please find my listing on social media @ fireflycottagemd and we can discuss my fee schedule, agreements and insurance. Looking forward to hearing from you!"

If they are serious, they contact me. If not, less time wasted!

[Don-And-Emily0]

@Laura2592  Thank you. I like your suggestion. Most of the people who tried to rent our home, were not upfront about their intentions so after we “peeled back the onion” and found out their intention we really did not want to proceed even off abb. It really made us wonder what else were they trying to hide.

Fall is the time when we get these requests., maybe because of the foliage… not sure.

[Dee1153]

As a film and TV location manager myself I would be very wary of this sort of dodgy approach.  A professional production would be upfront, and would have someone (like myself) to recce the property, discuss what was wanted in detail with you and disclose insurance, plus arranging a reasonable location fee and location agreements.  Very underhand behaviour!

[Don-And-Emily0]

@Dee1153 They do it to facilitate diverting the location costs into their pockets. I have worked on TV commercials and have seen how “the sausage is made”.

They charge the client a location fee (but don’t pay one) They  then rent a house they can film in and use for crew lodging. Very dishonest. I had a very well known director’s wife contact me trying to scam us.

Her line was: “my husband is a famous movie director” lol! Like we care. 

[Ryan2352]

Being next to the porn production capital of the world, I'm surprised I haven't gotten any of these requests! 

I'd probably take them off of ABB (since ABB doesn't allow gatherings) and do a direct booking with insurance and the like.

There are better sites for film crews to rent from and I list my property there.