I am in need of a house to use for my short film. It needs to have an attic and preferably an attic with a window. Besides asking people I know, are there any good methods to find a house to use? Of course I would have to have freedom to design and make the inside how I wish. I'm also willing to pay to "rent" of out.
Best way to find a house to use?
- Thread starter Dennis Mikula Films
- Start date
What if you found a house that had a ladder up to an attic, and you filmed your actors going up into it. Then you could use a different location, one that gave you the freedom to design the set to your liking, and it could create the illusion of an attic room?
Years ago, I had a bit part in a movie, and they filmed at a huge house, that was suppose to be a lake side house, with a boat dock out back. The house we filmed at wasn't even close to a lake. Then we went down to a lake, and filmed on a local boat dock. Then again to a 3rd location, this time it was the big boat, that was suppose to be tied up at the dock, behind the huge house.
Once it was all edited together it flowed like it was all one location.
Just because you need a large attic room, doesn't mean you have to film in a large attic room. If you have one friend that has a cool entrance to their attic, but the room is too small, use the entrance, and film the scene someplace else. You mention wanting a window. Is there a shot from outside of your actors looking in? Could even use another location that has an exterior that matches more your vision.
That's the magic of film making, doesn't have to be all one location, but you can make it look that way. Of course, finding a singular place would be nice, but not always a requirement.
Jeff
Years ago, I had a bit part in a movie, and they filmed at a huge house, that was suppose to be a lake side house, with a boat dock out back. The house we filmed at wasn't even close to a lake. Then we went down to a lake, and filmed on a local boat dock. Then again to a 3rd location, this time it was the big boat, that was suppose to be tied up at the dock, behind the huge house.
Once it was all edited together it flowed like it was all one location.
Just because you need a large attic room, doesn't mean you have to film in a large attic room. If you have one friend that has a cool entrance to their attic, but the room is too small, use the entrance, and film the scene someplace else. You mention wanting a window. Is there a shot from outside of your actors looking in? Could even use another location that has an exterior that matches more your vision.
That's the magic of film making, doesn't have to be all one location, but you can make it look that way. Of course, finding a singular place would be nice, but not always a requirement.
Jeff
I do need to have shots of the actors in the actual house the rest of the movie is shot in and in the same shot people coming out of the attic into the house. The way I need shots it would have to be the same house. As for the attic window I would be fine using a different place for the outside, so that's always an option.
For a short finding this specific sort of location is going to be a dubiously worthwhile PITA, but if that's whatchuwannado, then...
Contact several real estate agents around your local historic district, which will be the only houses that even have functional walk-about pre-1940 attics unlike in post-WWII "modern" houses, and ask if they know of any such houses for sale or rent.
Should miracle of miracles occur then take it from there.
You're best off shelving this particular screenplay to work on another project - or - just modify it to accommodate a broader range of READILY AVAILABLE locations for a short.
For a feature where a significant portion of the story REQUIRES any such specific locations it's worth this hassle, otherwise: nope.
It's a short.
No one givesadam.
Don't design these things to be a PITA.
GL!
PS: Don't get involved with women that are PITAes, either! They also ain't worth it!
Contact several real estate agents around your local historic district, which will be the only houses that even have functional walk-about pre-1940 attics unlike in post-WWII "modern" houses, and ask if they know of any such houses for sale or rent.
Should miracle of miracles occur then take it from there.
You're best off shelving this particular screenplay to work on another project - or - just modify it to accommodate a broader range of READILY AVAILABLE locations for a short.
For a feature where a significant portion of the story REQUIRES any such specific locations it's worth this hassle, otherwise: nope.
It's a short.
No one givesadam.
Don't design these things to be a PITA.
GL!
PS: Don't get involved with women that are PITAes, either! They also ain't worth it!
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Working a similar situation now. Location that requires a specific floor plan. I have some leads, also contacting local Realtors who handle rental properties to see if they would be interested. I'm insured and offering $250 for one day. At that rate it's tough sledding, but I have high hopes it will work out.
Well the thing is I'm definitely willing to adapt. Also It doesn't need to be a spacious attic. as long as the actor can be in it and climb down, it will work. I shall continue my search! When the going gets tough, it just makes me try harder haha.
With the right camera angles you can definitely make it look like it's the same location.
In the last short I filmed where we had people infiltrate a warehouse, we used 4 different locations. The exterior was at a friend's studio, the rooftop was at another friend's studio that was no where close, the interior was 45min away at my uncles work, and the office was also at a completely different locations. Let people use their imaginations when constructing how the whole house looks like
In the last short I filmed where we had people infiltrate a warehouse, we used 4 different locations. The exterior was at a friend's studio, the rooftop was at another friend's studio that was no where close, the interior was 45min away at my uncles work, and the office was also at a completely different locations. Let people use their imaginations when constructing how the whole house looks like
It's a trade off. I have certainly done the "multiple locations playing for one" thing, but then you're dealing with multiple locations and all the time and logistics that go with that. I try to find one stop shopping first, then go to Plan B.
