Has anyone used bartering method to secure location? If yes, any pointers?
Thx!
Thx!
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Bartering Services
- Thread starter forever fearless
- Start date
That would my first pointer; know exactly what YOU have to offer
the location owner. Make sure what you have to offer is equal or
better to what the location owner is offering you.
the location owner. Make sure what you have to offer is equal or
better to what the location owner is offering you.
I once "bartered" with an Italian restaurant to shoot while they were closed in exchange for putting them in the credits with a "special thanks..."
Don't know how that would work for something like a private residence, but for a business that wants to get their name out there any way they can, it worked great...
Don't know how that would work for something like a private residence, but for a business that wants to get their name out there any way they can, it worked great...
That's why I heart this site. Thanks for all your responses. Now I have a clue on how to approach this daunting situation. I'm not good at this type of stuff, lol.
I'm going to suggest that a "special thanks" isn't always a great
bartering tool. It does work as you can prove. Here in Los Angeles
it is less likely to be of much interest because locations are often
being paid (and paid well) by the studios and are asked all the time
by all the students in all the schools in the area in addition to all
the independent production going on.
I hold auditions at a local theater so I know the owner well. She tells
me she gets 20 to 30 requests a month to use her theater for no
money but a credit in the titles. If she said yes to half of them (10
to 15) for a two day shoot you can imagine how that would impact her
business - 20 to 30 days each month with a company shooting inside
and no money coming in. And very often she sees the "special thanks"
as an invitation for other filmmakers with no money to ask for free
use of her theater. It doesn't really bring paying clients.
For my junior prom in highschool I cold called companies and offered to build a website in exchange for a limo for prom hahaha. Granted that was 10 years ago, but it worked.
In more recent years, I have traded some graphic design work for use of a restaurant, though it was nothing formal. I knew the manager through church, asked about it and got the location, then a few months later helped him with menus and signs for a new restaurant. If I didn't know him, it probably wouldn't have happened, and if it did would definitely get it in writing.
Per my experience, and from what I've read of others, mom and pop places are the easiest to get a yes from for locations. It's because you're asking the person who makes all the final calls. If you approach a corporate chain restaurant or hotel or grocery store you may find that they have specific procedure in place for that, or if the manager is even interested he has to call out of state to the HQ for approval. Not always, but still mom and pop are easier to deal with.
In more recent years, I have traded some graphic design work for use of a restaurant, though it was nothing formal. I knew the manager through church, asked about it and got the location, then a few months later helped him with menus and signs for a new restaurant. If I didn't know him, it probably wouldn't have happened, and if it did would definitely get it in writing.
Per my experience, and from what I've read of others, mom and pop places are the easiest to get a yes from for locations. It's because you're asking the person who makes all the final calls. If you approach a corporate chain restaurant or hotel or grocery store you may find that they have specific procedure in place for that, or if the manager is even interested he has to call out of state to the HQ for approval. Not always, but still mom and pop are easier to deal with.
Being a regular customer has gotten me more results, also ASKING is important. You never know what can happen until you ask. Dont bother with trying to make it seem like "your bartering" because there really inst anything in it for the other side. They are doing you a favor, many people, including small biz owners, LIKE TO HELP. and enjoy the idea of being involved.
My current project has both of these aspects in one location.
Iv had it in the back of my head for some time that the owner of the local bodyshop in my small town had some amazing cool cars that would be great in a film. So the first "opportunity" I had to patronize HIS business, I did so! Nothing big, somebody knocked off my mirror... anyway.. by no means through this interaction did we become more then acquaintances, but I made a point to wave, say hi, etc.
A few months back, the idea of "The Hot Rod" came along. I went it to the shop, said hi and asked straight up to use one of his awesome cars in the my short movie! Well, we started talking, he got excited, we hoped in his commuter car, drove up to his house, started up the Charger RT 440, pulled it out, drove it around, laid some rubber, took some photos... next thing hes showing me ANOTHER car, asking me to take my pick for the JUNKER (a heap that needs to be in the ending of the story) that I also need, and hes VOLUNTEERING to tow it out to the shoot...
The moral to this story... YOU ARE ALWAYS NETWORKING, and don't be afraid to ASK.
My current project has both of these aspects in one location.
Iv had it in the back of my head for some time that the owner of the local bodyshop in my small town had some amazing cool cars that would be great in a film. So the first "opportunity" I had to patronize HIS business, I did so! Nothing big, somebody knocked off my mirror... anyway.. by no means through this interaction did we become more then acquaintances, but I made a point to wave, say hi, etc.
A few months back, the idea of "The Hot Rod" came along. I went it to the shop, said hi and asked straight up to use one of his awesome cars in the my short movie! Well, we started talking, he got excited, we hoped in his commuter car, drove up to his house, started up the Charger RT 440, pulled it out, drove it around, laid some rubber, took some photos... next thing hes showing me ANOTHER car, asking me to take my pick for the JUNKER (a heap that needs to be in the ending of the story) that I also need, and hes VOLUNTEERING to tow it out to the shoot...
The moral to this story... YOU ARE ALWAYS NETWORKING, and don't be afraid to ASK.
A director that I know offers stills and video of the venue/facility/location for their website and/or advertising.
A picture of a restaurant with every seat filled with well-dressed attractive people (the cast and extras) with happy expressions on their faces makes for a great ad. And the restaurant even fed them the meals seen on the tables!
A bar full of attractive people (the cast and extras) dancing like crazy always looks good.
A 360 degree panoramic shot of a well appointed conference room is a welcomed addition to a web-site.
Nice photo portraits of the family has secured many a nice residence.
A word of warning, however - you had better be offering real quality.
A picture of a restaurant with every seat filled with well-dressed attractive people (the cast and extras) with happy expressions on their faces makes for a great ad. And the restaurant even fed them the meals seen on the tables!
A bar full of attractive people (the cast and extras) dancing like crazy always looks good.
A 360 degree panoramic shot of a well appointed conference room is a welcomed addition to a web-site.
Nice photo portraits of the family has secured many a nice residence.
A word of warning, however - you had better be offering real quality.