How much should I offer to pay a location for my student film shoot?
December 2, 2009 6:11 PM
How much should I offer to pay a location for my student film shoot?
Next February I'll be shooting a short film as my major project for my masters degree at university. While I'd really like to have a decent amount of money to put into the production, it's not realistic for me at this point. I have saved around $1,000 for the project so far.
As such, I have volunteer actors and crew and all the film equipment and insurance is provided by my university. Everyone is providing their own transport and I'll be providing them with meals. I'm borrowing costumes and props from everyone I've ever spoken to :)
I found a location that would be perfect, but it is rented out to holidaymakers for $1800, per 3 days, the duration of my shoot. At that price, the location was definitely out of my league, but I didn't think it would hurt to ask while I kept looking. I figured that it might be a bit forward asking to use the location for free, so I decided to contact the property manager to see if they would let me use the property for my film for a token fee.
I explained that it was a student film, that it was not a commercial project, is not likely to make any revenue and explained my budgetary constraints. In return, I offered them a credit, copy of the film on dvd, high quality stills if they would like them for their advertising, and a link to their website, if I place the film online or build it a website.
The property manager has contacted the owner who seems agreeable to everything so far and mentioned that we'd be liable for breakages, damages etc. But they have now thrown the ball back into my court and asked me to propose an amount to them as my "token fee". The property manager will then see if the owner is agreeable with it.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should be offering? Is there a standard formula, like locations are typically $x of a film's budget?
Or if anyone could point me in the direction of some useful websites about film budgeting, so I can calculate it (and the rest of my expenses) out on my own, I'd be very appreciative.
Thanks for your help!
Next February I'll be shooting a short film as my major project for my masters degree at university. While I'd really like to have a decent amount of money to put into the production, it's not realistic for me at this point. I have saved around $1,000 for the project so far.
As such, I have volunteer actors and crew and all the film equipment and insurance is provided by my university. Everyone is providing their own transport and I'll be providing them with meals. I'm borrowing costumes and props from everyone I've ever spoken to :)
I found a location that would be perfect, but it is rented out to holidaymakers for $1800, per 3 days, the duration of my shoot. At that price, the location was definitely out of my league, but I didn't think it would hurt to ask while I kept looking. I figured that it might be a bit forward asking to use the location for free, so I decided to contact the property manager to see if they would let me use the property for my film for a token fee.
I explained that it was a student film, that it was not a commercial project, is not likely to make any revenue and explained my budgetary constraints. In return, I offered them a credit, copy of the film on dvd, high quality stills if they would like them for their advertising, and a link to their website, if I place the film online or build it a website.
The property manager has contacted the owner who seems agreeable to everything so far and mentioned that we'd be liable for breakages, damages etc. But they have now thrown the ball back into my court and asked me to propose an amount to them as my "token fee". The property manager will then see if the owner is agreeable with it.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should be offering? Is there a standard formula, like locations are typically $x of a film's budget?
Or if anyone could point me in the direction of some useful websites about film budgeting, so I can calculate it (and the rest of my expenses) out on my own, I'd be very appreciative.
Thanks for your help!
mattsweaters, I think you missed the spirit of the question - the holidaymakers (what's a holiday maker?) are renting it for 1800 for three days. OP just needs an estimate
Honestly, since it's a token investment I wouldn't overdo it. You really need to prioritize your film in advance, figure out what you absolutely have to have, how much that will cost, factor in incidental expenses, then give most of what's left over - probably not much at this point - to the site.
But really, on a student budget, I think it would be better if you found a not quite as perfect site for free.
Again, prioritize with an itemized budget like you would any other project.
posted by Think_Long at 6:41 PM on December 2, 2009
Honestly, since it's a token investment I wouldn't overdo it. You really need to prioritize your film in advance, figure out what you absolutely have to have, how much that will cost, factor in incidental expenses, then give most of what's left over - probably not much at this point - to the site.
But really, on a student budget, I think it would be better if you found a not quite as perfect site for free.
Again, prioritize with an itemized budget like you would any other project.
posted by Think_Long at 6:41 PM on December 2, 2009
Personally, I don't think you should spend any money on locations for a no-budget film. That money is better spent keeping your people happy on set. When you're putting in 12+ hour days on a no-pay project, being able to grab a quick snack between takes and a good hot meal at lunch goes a long way to keeping your energy up and make you feel appreciated.
You've lucky to have your gear provided for you, so your $1000 can go a lot further that it otherwise would.
All that said, if this location is truly going to make or break your film, a) you shouldn't have written a no-budget film that relies on a very specific location, and b) perhaps offer to pay for cleaning after you're out of the location, but no more than that.
posted by jjb at 6:45 PM on December 2, 2009
You've lucky to have your gear provided for you, so your $1000 can go a lot further that it otherwise would.
All that said, if this location is truly going to make or break your film, a) you shouldn't have written a no-budget film that relies on a very specific location, and b) perhaps offer to pay for cleaning after you're out of the location, but no more than that.
posted by jjb at 6:45 PM on December 2, 2009
The property manager has contacted the owner who seems agreeable to everything so far and mentioned that we'd be liable for breakages, damages etc.
Unless you get a thorough inspection in beforehand, do not make any such agreement. Otherwise, expect to pay for everything that was broken before you got there.
posted by Sys Rq at 6:48 PM on December 2, 2009
Unless you get a thorough inspection in beforehand, do not make any such agreement. Otherwise, expect to pay for everything that was broken before you got there.
posted by Sys Rq at 6:48 PM on December 2, 2009
Thank you everyone for your replies :)
Think_Long & jjb: You're absolutely right. I think I was getting a little dazzled by the location itself. It suits perfectly, is beautiful and well positioned, but there are plenty more fish in the sea. The script isn't location specific, so I'm sure if I do a little more looking I can find something more appropriate.
Sys Rq: I'm a little hesitant at that statement too. I was trying to work out if it meant, "now don't think you can go around and wreck the place" or "sure, rent our place for cheaper, we'll find a way to recoup the costs out of you later".
Now that you've all helped me drag my head out of the clouds, and after thinking about it some more and running my numbers, it's not really looking like it will be worth it. I might ask what it will cost them to clean the property when we're finished and see if that cost will fit within the budget. More than likely it won't, so I'll keep searching for somewhere else.
posted by saileyn at 7:24 PM on December 2, 2009
Think_Long & jjb: You're absolutely right. I think I was getting a little dazzled by the location itself. It suits perfectly, is beautiful and well positioned, but there are plenty more fish in the sea. The script isn't location specific, so I'm sure if I do a little more looking I can find something more appropriate.
Sys Rq: I'm a little hesitant at that statement too. I was trying to work out if it meant, "now don't think you can go around and wreck the place" or "sure, rent our place for cheaper, we'll find a way to recoup the costs out of you later".
Now that you've all helped me drag my head out of the clouds, and after thinking about it some more and running my numbers, it's not really looking like it will be worth it. I might ask what it will cost them to clean the property when we're finished and see if that cost will fit within the budget. More than likely it won't, so I'll keep searching for somewhere else.
posted by saileyn at 7:24 PM on December 2, 2009
Maybe next week you can post another question along the lines of:
I am filming my no-budget student film soon, I am looking for locations near [my area] that are as close to [picture/website of ideal location]. Does anyone have any ideas?
These are the requirements:
Free
X Factor
Y Factor
Z Factor
posted by Think_Long at 7:55 PM on December 2, 2009
I am filming my no-budget student film soon, I am looking for locations near [my area] that are as close to [picture/website of ideal location]. Does anyone have any ideas?
These are the requirements:
Free
X Factor
Y Factor
Z Factor
posted by Think_Long at 7:55 PM on December 2, 2009
As an aside, it was my experience (film school grad myself) that the best directors were, for all intents and purposes, amazing project managers. Of course, project manager doesn't sound sexy, but what the do tends to be along the lines of "the outcome has to be X, how can I get there with the resources and limitations I have at this exact moment?" I say "exact moment" because, when making films, you never know how things will go and what will change.
I bring this up, as one of the biggest limits on a student film is cash. Getting amazingly creative to avoid spending said cash is a skill that should not be avoided in school, as it is a skill that will help you make great films in the future by using that kind of creativity in all sorts of ways.
So, long story short, find a free location. For more reasons than it's free.
Good luck on your film!
posted by qwip at 12:16 AM on December 3, 2009
I bring this up, as one of the biggest limits on a student film is cash. Getting amazingly creative to avoid spending said cash is a skill that should not be avoided in school, as it is a skill that will help you make great films in the future by using that kind of creativity in all sorts of ways.
So, long story short, find a free location. For more reasons than it's free.
Good luck on your film!
posted by qwip at 12:16 AM on December 3, 2009
Yeah if you only have $1000, you don't have a budget for location. You don't have a budget. Not trying to be snarky...it will just burn through your fingers before you even start thinking about it.
posted by sully75 at 3:38 AM on December 3, 2009
posted by sully75 at 3:38 AM on December 3, 2009
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It would help if you had a friend who could be a good producer, someone who is a smooth talker and can get things for free.
posted by mattsweaters at 6:34 PM on December 2, 2009