For my next film, there will be one day on which we shoot inside a hotel suite (living room and bedroom).
I've contacted a number of hotels and explained that we're an independent production that needs to shoot inside a hotel room and asked if the hotel would have any objections. But, in most cases, the person who I was told would need to make such a decision was unavailable or never returned calls or email messages. One of the managers I spoke with seemed as if he would agree but somewhat begrudgingly; another hotel treated it essentially as just another reservation.
I'm still concerned that, perhaps I should tell the hotel we'll be shooting, albeit only within the room I'm renting, so there won't be any potential questions — when our equipment or crew arrives, for instance.
But, for the moment I'm thinking of just booking a suite, like I would any hotel room when traveling, and not mentioning anything about the shoot. Then, on the day of the shoot, I would have a skeleton cast and crew totaling eight people and not too many lights and instruct everyone to be as quiet as possible at all times. It seems to me that, if I'm renting the room I should be able to do anything within its confines as long as it does not a interfere with other guests, damage property, violate the law, etc.
What's the best approach to take re: informing the hotel or not? I would especially like responses from those who have shot within such locations/situations.
I've contacted a number of hotels and explained that we're an independent production that needs to shoot inside a hotel room and asked if the hotel would have any objections. But, in most cases, the person who I was told would need to make such a decision was unavailable or never returned calls or email messages. One of the managers I spoke with seemed as if he would agree but somewhat begrudgingly; another hotel treated it essentially as just another reservation.
I'm still concerned that, perhaps I should tell the hotel we'll be shooting, albeit only within the room I'm renting, so there won't be any potential questions — when our equipment or crew arrives, for instance.
But, for the moment I'm thinking of just booking a suite, like I would any hotel room when traveling, and not mentioning anything about the shoot. Then, on the day of the shoot, I would have a skeleton cast and crew totaling eight people and not too many lights and instruct everyone to be as quiet as possible at all times. It seems to me that, if I'm renting the room I should be able to do anything within its confines as long as it does not a interfere with other guests, damage property, violate the law, etc.
What's the best approach to take re: informing the hotel or not? I would especially like responses from those who have shot within such locations/situations.