Contact your local state film commission and ask about how to market your home for movie shoots. Movies are filmed in all states, though your chances of having your home used in a movie are greater in California. Nevertheless, ask your film commission if they will allow you to list your home through its database so that location scouts will find your house when a movie is being filmed in your state.
Find location scouts in your local area via an Internet search or the phone book and submit a brochure showcasing the best features of your house. Remember that location scouts are more plentiful in the Los Angeles, California, area. However, many states outside of California have at least one scouting office.
Place your listing on the national Filming Locations website, which Hollywood scouts peruse regularly as a database for shooting locations. There are monthly charges depending on how many photos you post. Create a user name and password first before submitting pictures of your home to the site.
Negotiate a rate with the production company once your house is chosen for a movie. Rental amounts vary significantly, but, according to Vince Graziano of Filming Locations, an average amount per day is your monthly mortgage payment.
Work out a contract in writing. Include specifics about the condition of your home upon completion, where equipment will be stored for the duration of filming and compensation for your hotel costs, if any.
Ask the production company about the insurance policy that it holds and exactly what it covers. Reputable production companies will provide you with a certificate of insurance to cover unexpected damages. Call the scouting location agency about taking security deposits from the film company as an alternate way to pay for any broken items.
Talk with the production company about riders placed into your contractual agreement, such as shelter for your pets or making certain rooms off limits.
Contact the IRS about getting tax breaks on renting out your home for a movie shoot. As of 2010, according to the IRS website, you may rent out your home for less than 15 days per year and not pay taxes on any income earned from it.
Discuss the filming situation with your neighbors, specify if there will be noise, parking issues or equipment being stored nearby, and provide gifts for them after the filming is over. Negotiate with the film company to give stipends to your neighbors for any inconveniences.
Investigate ordinances in your city and whether film crews are allowed to shoot after a certain time at night. According to the "Los Angeles Times," the Malibu City Council enacted a law in 2005 that prevents studios from shooting a movie in a home after 10 p.m. without consent from neighbors.
Ask the film company if they have a site representative who will act as a liaison between you and the film studio during the shoot to ensure that the provisions of the contract are being followed. This representative also may respond to any concerns that arise during the filming.