Shooting Locations

C

Coal

Perhaps this question has been answered before. If so I apologize and I'd really appreciate a redirect to the threads.

I've been banging my head against the wall in New Jersey trying to find an abandoned building to (LEGALLY :)) shoot in. Actually as we're still putting the script together I'd like to get a location locked down early so certain scenes can be tailored to the actual environment. I get that we'll need insurance, ok no problem there, and I get that we'll need the owner's say so and a location release. But the REAL question is: how the heck do I do FIND an abandoned building to begin with and once I do what are the steps to finding the owner? Should I simply drive around, find one that seems promising and look up tax records? Sounds pretty obvious now that I'm writing this but I'm just wondering if there are any tips/tricks/better ways to finding locations and their respective owners.

One other question now that I'm on bended knee already: this is my first independent feature so the production company etc are all brand new. What the heck do you say to someone to convince them you're not a nutter or something when looking to shoot a movie in their building?

AND one (last) question (I promise): we'll be doing night shoots for most of the picture. Seems like it would be a good idea to call the local cops and let them know we're there. Any other folks we should give a heads up to?

Thanks for any help you can give.
 
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Location scout. If you're not up to doing this yourself, try Craiglists or Shootingpeople for somebody in this position. Seeing as it's your first feature, it'll take a weight off your shoulders.

Or, bare in mind you've done everything you've said involving insurance. We're big fans on "Putting on the shirt and tie" and asking the folks, in this instance, the proprietor of the location, for permission. You'll be surprised by the generosity towards film-makers, people LOVE movies.

Although, an abandoned building, isn't looking for free advertising with their names in the credits, so you just have to prove to them you love what you do, you love the location, you're dignified and will treat the location with respect, following the correct procedures.

Finding the location initially is the tricky part, fun, do a few quick searches on the interweb--there should be databases of locations that permit film, but these come with a price. There's nothing stupid in driving around and trying to track one down, then researching into who owns it.

But like i said, it's your first feature, perhaps try a location scout.
 
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New Jersey has a film commission. And New Jersey has location
managers. I’ll bet that New Jersey has commercial real estate
companies. Any (and all) of them can help.
What the heck do you say to someone to convince them you're not a nutter or something when looking to shoot a movie in their building?
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Are you asking how to present yourself as a professional? Or how
to ensure the first building owner complies? Are you offering
money or are you asking what to say to get a location for free?

Assuming you find a building owner on your own - not one you found
through a location manager or the commission - you can convince
them you are not a nutter by having the shoot dates, the hours you
will be shooting each day, the exact amount of people who will be
there each day, where you plan to park any vehicles, how you will
provide power, if you will have someone (security) there 24 hours or
you will be taking all equipment with you after each shoot, how much
you can pay. That kind of thing.

Seems like it would be a good idea to call the local cops and let them know we're there. Any other folks we should give a heads up to?
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Not just a good idea, it’s essential you notify the local
authorities if you are working in a place that does not normally
have a lot of people around.
 
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I'm sorry, I have no advice on your location scouting. I just want to tell you to stop apologizing for asking questions -- that's what this entire freaking place is about. Ask away.
 
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well, your term is wrong.. something abandoned is, well, abandoned, nobody WANTS to be responsible for it so finding the owner of an abandoned property is sometimes IMPOSSIBLE...

What your looking for is a commercial "fixer upper" property that has been on the real estate market for a few years with no interested parties. If it has a for sale sign in front, then start there. If not, find a commercial rel-estate broker and tell them what your looking for.

The wall I recently hit was insurance. Though one AWESOME HUGE mothballed plant location just wanted "liability release forms" they did not even care about insurance. .. reminds me, I need to call them and see if I can use it for my NEXT film.. :)
 
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The thing I love about this forum (one of the things) is the incredibly fast turnaround time on questions. You guys rock.

At any rate, these are some very good suggestions. I’ve checked out all the “abandonedbutnot forgotten” type websites before and some of the buildings seem appropriate. I actually AM a suit-wearing professional in my day to day life so doing the aboveboard thing when approaching owners isnt the problem. Really I suppose it’s the practicalities and mechanics of going from ‘hey that place looks cool’ to saying ‘action’ that I’m stumbling over.

Directorik makes excellent points regarding the specifics of the shoot, however, if I’m still in script development and can’t provide those details yet that might be an issue. But I see your point. Putting as much together as possible would be a leg up.

Likewise Wheatgrinder’s suggestion of looking for the big empty elephant’s that a real estate agent or owner would be happy to turn a few bucks on makes sense.

Thanks again, any other hints are appreciated.
 
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Coal said:
Directorik makes excellent points regarding the specifics of the shoot, however, if I’m still in script development and can’t provide those details yet that might be an issue. But I see your point. Putting as much together as possible would be a leg up.
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Then you aren't ready to ask.

As a "suit-wearing professional" you know that someone
coming to you saying they are thinking about someday,
doing something, you can't offer anything tangible. Sure
you can help in very general terms, but you can't really
make a business decision until you know what is needed
and when it's needed.

So you could go to a building owner, tell them that sometime
in the next six months to sixteen months you would like
to use their building to shoot your movie. But I suspect the
reply would be, "When you're ready to shoot, let me know."

I also understand your implied but not asked question: It's
difficult to write the script without knowing the location. If
you could walk around the building you will use you could
fit your script into the location.

So you aren't looking for an abandoned building. As wheatgrinder
suggested, you want a place that is currently being used for
production. So your local film commission or a location manager
is the way to go. Hire a good, local location manager for a week
and go to several places. Take pictures of the location that fits
your budget and work your story around it.
 
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