In effect, we are a match-making service. We link up location professionals who are looking for places to film with those who have locations available for filming. You can advertise your property to the hundreds of location scouts who use the site.

Studio location scouts can easily view the description and pictures of your property (10 color photos per listing).

A miniaturized version of a listing is shown on the right-hand column of this page -- and beneath that are links to 8 actual listings, full-size.

When looking for locations suitable to their needs, studio scouts use our "Location Search Tool." They can find and view locations by category (homes, warehouses, restaurants, etc.) or by location (city or zipcode). Or they can ask to see the "most recent listings."

You pay a one-time fee for a one-year listing. We charge NO additional commissions or fees when you get filming. Not one penny.

There is a rule of thumb that we use in paying locations: for each day of filming at your home, you are paid about the equivalent of your monthly house payment.

If you have a business such as a restaurant or bar, then we would match your typical receipts for the same day of the week, plus sweeten the pot. You make even more than if you were open because you have no food or liquor costs.

A great way to increase your revenues is to rent your business during your off or closed hours. If you own a closed building, this is a great way to generate revenue while trying to find a full-time tenant. Some buildings in downtown are kept empty just for filming because it pays so well.

For homeowners, the income you receive for up to 14 days of filming is TAX FREE. Click here for more information.

Yes and no. While mansions are used for movies, the most-filmed homes are middle class. If you look at movies and TV closely, you will find just about every kind of home or business in just about every size, shape and condition used for filming.

No. Only certified, bona-fide studio or production company Location Scouts or Location Managers (members of the union, local #399) are approved to search the listings, and they must login with their password.

Yes -- you have the option to e-mail your own listing using a link near the top of your online page. For safety's sake, the contact information will not be seen; you will have to provide that separately. Even scouts do not see your contact information at first. They must click on "E-mail me the contact information," and then the site will automatically e-mail it to their established e-mail address.

First, congratulate yourself! Then, it would be a good idea to read the publication called "Make My Property a Star!" on the EIDC/LA Film Office website (the Entertainment Industry Development Corporation), and the accompanying attachments. They are in the form of PDF documents. If your computer cannot open it, notify us and we will assist you, or arrange to send you a copy by mail.

http://www.eidc.com/Property.pdf

http://www.eidc.com/Coverage/EIDC_Publications/propattch.PDF

You might also want to contact a place like Cine-Services. They provide a person to monitor the filming at no cost to the location owner (the studio or production company pays their fee). Call Denise Dowden at 661-294-9329, or e-mail her at denise.dowden@sbcglobal.net.

1. It's designed by a Location Scout and for Location Scouts.
   
   
2. It's fast and easy-to-use.
   
   
3. Producers are cost conscious -- and Location Scouts can browse and search iwantfilming.com for free. Thus it is the least expensive way for them to find locations for filming (and the quickest -- it saves hours and hours of driving around).
   
   
4. Ten color pictures per listing really let scouts know what the property looks like (for a little more, have a real scout visit to take professional photos).
   
   
5. Scouts can contact the location owners directly (by phone or e-mail).

WIDE ANGLE:

Most digital cameras come with a wide enough lens. So just zoom out all the way. Skip the wide-angle attachments -- no matter how tempting. Location managers and directors hate the distortion and how it makes everything look small.

CLOSE UP SHOTS:

Avoid close-up shots. The fireplace in the living room shouldn't be the only thing in the shot. Scouts need to see the entire room. And of course, when you shoot the whole living room, they can see the fireplace, too.

ANGLE OF SHOTS:

Simple rule: For important rooms, use two pictures per room, shot from opposite corners. It's almost always best to shoot from a corner and show two walls. Next, walk to the opposite corner and shoot the other two walls. Now you have shown all four walls of one room in just two pictures.

The same "opposite angles" principle can be helpful with outside shots of the front yard, the back yard, a parking lot, or garden.

FLASH:

Always have it on. Most cameras have a "fill flash" function that has the flash go off every time. It lightens everything, fills in dark shadows, helps show detail, and takes sharp pictures. Check your camera manual for how to do this.

WHEN TO SHOOT:

OUTSIDE: The best time is early morning -- just before sunrise, when there is lots of light but the sun isn't high enough to make shadows.

INSIDE: In rooms WITHOUT windows, you can shoot anytime. In rooms WITH windows: just before sunset is best, when there is still light out. The light has a softer, warmer look then. No matter the time of day: turn on all the lights on in the room. It makes the room look alive. And remember, always have your flash on.

WHAT TO SHOOT:

Of course, be sure to include the main rooms or the major areas -- the largest and most prominent areas and features. Beyond that: try to imagine you're the director. What scenes would be shot at your location? What are the most visually interesting areas and features? Later, when determining the order of the photos, consider how each area or room connects with or flows into the next.

Here are some examples:

THE HOME:

• Front exterior
• Foyer/entrance area
• Living room
• Kitchen
• Family room
• Master Bedroom
• Garage
• Backyard exterior
  

BAR:

• Parking lot
• Front exterior
• Front door
• Bar
• Cash register
• Dance Floor
• Booths/Tables
• Office
• DJ's booth
  

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES:

• Front exterior
• Front entrance
• Aisles
• Office
• Main floor
• Parking lot
• Register area

In short: include photos of the major rooms and/or areas of your property. ALSO: be sure to include any unique or unusual features, or other features that are highly visual and/or which might be of interest to directors or cinematographers.

MORE TIPS (and some reminders):

• Generally a very clean, uncluttered look works the best.
• No people in the shot (shoot the location, not inhabitants or customers).
• Usually, the camera should be about 6 feet high from the ground. When needed, consider standing on a chair or step stool -- carefully.
• Driveways or parking lots look better when empty.
• Provide 1 shot for less-important and/or smaller rooms, and 2 or at most 3 shots for each of the larger and/or more significant rooms.
• All the lights should be on (for interior shots).
• Fireplaces look better if they have a fire.
• Kitchens: clear off small appliances and dishes from counter tops. Keep the refrigerator blank (no pictures, coupons, or magnets).