What's your technique on aquiring location usage? It seems everyone out there is trying to take as much as they can from you.
There is an abandoned gas station I'd like to shoot at for a day and owner is trying to rob me blind. I mean, it's not making any money right now...just sitting there.
I've always just kept looking until I find some place that would let me shoot for free...luckily, my films have been pretty limited to houses/offices/etc. , which you can always find plenty of. I suppose shooting guerilla style at the gas station is out of the question?
I've found that if I say I'm a student filmmaker, keyword being student, people are a lot more open, and they automatically assume no money is involved.
Good point about the "student angle". It's just when I start my proposal, I see dollar signs in there eyes.
I always try to use student, but I'm generally incapable of "lying", so when I try to emphasize the student bit, I start blushing and mumbling, and people know the fix is in. I usually get screwed out of locations.
My friend, on the other hand, doesn't give a shit. Walks in to car dealerships and swings a deal to 'have' a bmw for an hour for us to shoot driving around. Goes into a hotel, says we need it to film in, they say "yes", he says we'll probably be discharging blanks as part of an action scene, they say "that's okay". It consistently amazes me.
Quote from: SoNowThen
My friend, on the other hand, doesn't give a shit. Walks in to car dealerships and swings a deal to 'have' a bmw for an hour for us to shoot driving around. Goes into a hotel, says we need it to film in, they say "yes", he says we'll probably be discharging blanks as part of an action scene, they say "that's okay". It consistently amazes me.
I HATE that. No matter how cool or disarming I try to be, I still can't schmooze like that. I guess some people are just born with it.
That person should definitely get screen credit.
I'm making him produce my first feature. How the hell else would I get it done?
Quote from: SoNowThenI'm making him produce my first feature. How the hell else would I get it done?
Is it possible to force people into producing a film for you?
Cause I have loads of producers I could force at gun point...
It's kinda a marriage of circumstance: he's not willing to sit in a room for a year and pound out a script to shoot, and I'm incapable of getting the ball rolling on anything above a no-budget video project.
best tip i have found:
yes the student thing works well.
also, if you live in a big city, drive a few blocks
example:
i live in vancouver bee cee
hollywood north, and early on i found getting locations were a pain
so i drove 20 minutes to surrey, or delta etc where people are a bit less jaded and they willingly open their doors to 'the movie people'
small town suckers i call them.
i have since developed the skill of bullshitting and now locations arent an issue anymore.
- hide the camera in fruit.
- talk to the oldest possible person in the store.
- strategically develop a lifelong friendship based on trust and mutual respect with the owner of the location 1-3 years before the shoot date. then knock them out with rice in a sock. they'll take you to court. on the day of the trial, wait until everyone's in the court house and THEN ask whoever's on duty at the location if you can shoot there. the replacement will be incompetent, allowing you a fighting chance.
what's a good way to convince a resturant to let you shoot in there?
Quote from: El Duderinowhat's a good way to convince a resturant to let you shoot in there?
Ask very nicely and reiterate the fact you are broke.
would i have to pay for the food? probably
you know what they say about locations: it's not the size, it's how you use it.