How to secure a location

WildTrackDave

WildTrackDave

Well-known member
I'm just wondering if anybody has any experience/advice on securing a location for a project at a private business.

Specifically, I'm looking to shoot an entry for a video contest that would take place in a grocery store, so there's no guarantee I'm going to get paid. Also, most of the stores we have around here are big chain stores (albertsons, ralphs, vons, stater bros).

Should I just try to talk to the manager? What should I bring with me? Am I expected to pay them?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
Talk up the fact that your film will be going to festivals. Mention that the store will be prominent in the credits. Tell them you have production insurance to cover all costs(and prove it). Ask the decider if they would like to be in the film. If they don't, ask them if they want their son or daughter to be in it. Most importantly do what you say you will do.
 
I should reiterate that this particular project is an entry in a video contest, not an actual film, so it won't be going to festivals, and I'm not 100% sure how much the promotion I can do for the store if the brand buys the ad. Pushing the production insurance angle could help though.

Thanks Blutarski.
 
In my experience, really all you can do is try to appeal to the manager/owner's sense of charity. They generally don't give a rat's arse about your filmmaking aspirations especially if you live in a large city where everyone and their brother are filmmakers.

Their main concern is running a business, not facilitating your dreams and goals in life. Keep that in mind.

They will expect you to have liability insurance so they don't get sued if one of your cast/crew cracks their head or if something gets damaged.

I would avoid trying to pass off the prospect of their business being seen in a film festival or anywhere as being a big plus for them unless you have some "name" actors in the film. It'll make you sound like a rube.

It's always preferable to offer money and how much will depend in part upon how much time you need in the place and whether you can be in there when they're closed which may very well mean having to pay an employee to be there with you.

I spent 4 or 5 hours in a theater shooting when they were closed and offered them 200 bucks which they accepted.

Offer money. Ask about off hours. Maybe offer some additional service to them (free commercial, training video, etc.)

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