Students using my home for filming

[Jo732]

I am starting to get approached for filming in my home by students. As I live near yo a university. 

They have the insurance and formal release forms etc.

My question is what to charge. Sometimes they want to sleeping the room (single room) and sometimes only filming.

They want to use my lounge for filming and storing their equipment etc in the bedroom which is listed on Airbnb.

I'm mindful They won't have a huge budget..but what do I charge? I have no clue. Sometime they only want it for the day. Its slightly inconvenient as I live and work from home.

Thanks. 

[Helen3]

If you work from home I wouldn't consider it. It will be disruptive and Airbnb's are not set up for filming.  @Jo732 

Companies hiring properties for filming get charged commercial rates way in excess of what you would charge for overnight accommodation. 

If you want to consider students filming charge them a rate which makes it worth your while for the inconvenience. 

[Jo732]

Thanks. I did it once and it was ok but if I am going to get more requests I want to decide and if I do it.. I want to know my rules and charges. I only charge £27-30 for my single room per night.

I can work from the office when they are here to reduce disruption..but then it can be good as I can check for damages or issues if I'm here.

[Tom3754]

it is cool

[Tom3754]

It's definitely cool. I would still arrange parties after a hard day. I then ordered a work on pearl harbor essay, used ** for this. I needed new mail. Just at my side was a friend from my group who shared with me. I can imagine how much help you get from people who make videos at your place.

**[Link removed due to safety reasons - Community Center Guidelines ]

[Huma0]

@Jo732 

Been there, done that and I would say NO, NO, NO! 

It is so not worth it unless they are paying you a substantial amount, which I doubt film students would. And forget about the insurance form etc. The students caused damage (albeit minor) and didn't pay for any of it, just brushed it off, there was excessive cleaning to do and the use of utilities was off the charts (and this was before utility bills were as high as they are now).

I do allow shoots in my house, but I ask a lot of questions and I quote roughly half what a location agency would charge, so it's still a bargain, but we're talking a few hundred £ a day for my four bedroom house.

[Jo732]

Thanks. Yes I did say about what equipment as concerned re electric. They said 2 lights and  batteries The insurance is via the University so would have hoped all proper.

I go by my gut. I think I don't want evening filming as I live here and max 6 people filming as 8 feels too much.

Never had damage when I did it before...this group come across very respectful. 

Just wasn't sure on pricing and things to consider.

[Huma0]

@Jo732 

With this group of students, the insurance was also via their university. But, they just denied having anything to do with it. I could have contacted the university to press it further, but I had had enough of them by this stage.

They were also very respectful prior to the filming and all seemed fine. But, they lied about the numbers, lied about the time it would take, took over areas of my house they weren't supposed to... Some even wandered into occupied guest rooms that were agreed as off limits, and when I brought this up with the 'producer' was told, "Oh, they were just curious and having a look around," and that it was no big deal. Mmm.

As for the utilities. It was the middle of winter and they left all the doors and windows open, including the front door, the entire time and then constantly complained that the house was not warm enough and demanded I pump up the heating.

I have worked on many film/shoot sets myself. It's part of my job. This lot were so unprofessional, and I would never go there again unless they were paying a substantial amount, which film students do not, and neither do most people, even those that claim to be 'professionals', if they are looking for rooms on Airbnb and expecting to pay pittance for it.

As I mentioned before, I quote roughly half what a location agency would charge. So, it's still a big saving, but it's not cheap. I won't allow shoots for anything less. It's really not worth it.

[Jo732]

Thanks so much.

Just decided not to do any filming at all.