FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Whether you are looking for film or still locations in Cape Town, or looking to list your property, we have put together some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to assist you. please do not hesitate to call us and we can assist you.
FOR PRODUCTION HOUSES
A stills day is a 10 hour day and 5 hours for a half day. These hours must fall between 7am and 9pm. Anything outside of these hours requires approval by location owner and agent.
A film day is a 14 hour day and 7 hours for a half day. Some properties insist on a 12 hour shoot day. We will inform you of these particular locations as they come up. Hours are calculated from 1st man on and last man off set. These hours must fall between 7am and 9pm. Anything outside of these hours requires approval by the location owner and agent as well as concurrence from all the required neighbours.
A full day prep or wrap is a 10 hour day.
A half day prep / wrap is a 5 hour day.
If you need pro rata quotes speak to us. Not all homeowners will allow this.
Overtime is calculated at 10% of the shoot day rate per hour or part thereof for stills after the 10 hours and for film after the 14 hours
After 16 hours overtime is calculated at 20% of the shoot day rate per hour or part thereof.
Some locations have different overtime breakdowns depending on the time of day so please do ask us.
Payment of the location fee and any required damages security deposit is required prior to the shoot along with POP and a signed location agreement and proof of insurance.
Overtime and additional wrap etc that accrues during the course of the shoot is payable within 10 days of the shoot.
Insurance is required before access to any location
FOR HOME OWNERS
When a production company is initially interested in your location – we may arrange for a location scout to come out and take a look and take their own photos for the purposes of better selling the space for the specific shoot.
In film production, a “recce” (short for reconnaissance) refers to a location scouting or site survey done by the director, producer, location manager, cinematographer, and other key crew members to assess a potential filming location. The purpose of a recce is to evaluate whether a location is suitable for the requirements of the film production in terms of aesthetics, lighting, sound, and practicalities such as access, permits, and safety.
During the recce, the crew members will take note of the various features of the location, such as the architecture, natural light sources, power supply, and any potential obstacles or logistical challenges. They will also consider the feasibility of setting up equipment and performing tasks such as rigging and lighting.
The information gathered during the recce will inform the decisions about whether a location is suitable for filming and what equipment and resources will be required to make the shoot successful. It can also help in planning the logistics of the shoot, including transport, accommodation, and scheduling.
Overall, a recce is an essential part of film production, helping the crew to choose the right locations and plan the shoot to achieve the desired visual and technical effects while ensuring a safe and efficient production process.
A technical recce happens on film shoots once a location has been booked and is a visit to the chosen location with all the heads of department in attendance. They will come and have a site meeting for around an hour – discuss the equipment they need, the way they are going to shoot it, what art department and set dressing want to do, where they will park vehicles, dress cast, base client and agency etc. A technical recce involves up to 20 people.
We will schedule this with you. You are not required to be there. We will send you notes after the tech recce outlining all plans.
A film shoot (TV Commercial) day is 14 hours. That is from 1st person on site to last person out.
A prep and wrap day is a 10 hour day and is charged traditionally at 50% of the shoot day fee because it is a much smaller group of people just doing set up for the day or shooting or wrap out the day after.
A stills shoot day is a 10 hour day and a half day is 5 hours.
The fee structure is about the footprint. Film shoots have a much bigger footprint because there are so many people involved and big equipment and therefore the “wear and tear” on a location is greater. Stills is a much smaller amount of people and there is no heavy equipment, big trucks etc
We bill for film and TV Commercials prior to the shoot and will always try to pay you either the day before or on the shoot day. Our policy is payment up front for shoots. The same goes for stills though sometimes the turn around is so fast that it is impossible to get payment prior to a shoot. We therefore reserve the right to pay within 10 days of the shoot.
We require proof of insurance from the production company before a shoot is allowed to go ahead. This is traditionally called a producers package and covers third party liability and the property amongst other things.
Normally this insurance is to the tune of between R5 000,000.00 And R10 000,000.00 Per shoot.
The location agreement which we also have productions companies sigh also specifies this requirement.
If you would like to have more info please ask us and we can send you the location agreement that is sent to the prod co’s and we can also send you the insurance docs from the specific production company that wishes to book your property.
If your home is chosen for a shoot, it is your responsibility as the homeowner to make arrangements at your expense for your pets. Generally cats are fine to remain on the premises unless they are very nervous and may be shaken by the experience. Sometimes locking them safely in a room that is inaccessible to the film or stills crew is enough. With dogs you may need to book them into a kennel for the day or take them to a friend or family member if they are likely to bark or be intimidating to the people on set.
