Location Scout Policies: Location Procedures Information for Production Personnel

How it all works:

• You have been awarded the job and now you need to lock down the location... You have a visual / graphic idea, perhaps a geographic idea where it needs to be and hopefully some idea of when, how many people, what equipment will be used, how many vehicles might be involved and (not leastly;-) what you can afford to spend. Or maybe you don't? (Bidding? Estimating?) We may be able to help. Please contact us
• We have locations (nearly 2,000 over 3,000 on file as a matter of fact!) and we have the skills!

We provide fee-based Location Research, Location Scouting and Location Management Services. We can arrange Film/Photo Permitting, Production Parking Coordination Services, Security, Waste Management Services and provide many other Production Services as well. We have lots of existing photos of lots of locations and acquire new location data regularly. We know the property owners. We know the tri-state area. We network with our peers - other location agents, scouts, other production professionals, film commissions, real estate professionals and others. We make our living providing location services to production industry individuals such as you and being the "point man" between you, location property owners and local communities. More general information

General Terms and Conditions:

1. There is no fee to search or browse our locations online using our search engine (bottom of page). Please note that photos in the public area of our location library are presented as a courtesy to provide creative ideas and reference and may not necessarily reflect actual current aesthetic or availability status. If you are interested in a particular location or don't see what you are looking for please contact us and we will be happy to provide you with a quote for custom file pull / location research / location scouting / location management services. Our location data is to be used only in direct conjunction with business with R. Richard Hobbs. Location data, including property owner info as may be provided in the course of business is private, proprietary and protected intellectual property intended >only< for business being currently conducted, and only on a need-to-know basis (not only do we consider this data to be a valuable asset, we have the property owner's privacy to consider as well); NO use of same is allowed (including in the future) without the express written consent of R. Richard Hobbs. Any direct contact with property owners or sharing of this info with third parties without the prior consent of R. Richard Hobbs and aforementioned property owners is strictly prohibited.
2. Tech Scouting is required. This typically involves a personal tour by production and locations department, a conference with the property owner for everyone to meet and become acquainted, become familiar with the location on-site, discuss production's technical needs and establish general ground rules as may apply to the shoot and location. We recommend that production require their client to tech scout their preferred location(s) prior to confirming anything. Once a location is confirmed (booked), any cancellations (will be) subject to location fees and location services and changes (may be) subject to location fees and location services fees.
3. Location Fees for ANY shoot must be paid at least one day prior to shoot day. You should plan to pay the property directly and pay for location services separately. If you need a receipt, property release or any other forms from or to be signed by the property owner you should bring them to the shoot. Property releases or any other agreements should be presented to the location department and owner for review prior to shoot.
4. Any location services fees must be paid no later than 10 business days following completion of work and invoicing. We accept many major credit cards.
5. Insurance must be in order at least one day prior to shoot day. This constitutes providing a certificate of insurance reflecting commercial liability coverage of an at least current industry standard amount and showing the property owner(s) additionally insured. Certificates of Insurance should be presented to the location department and owner for review prior to shoot.
6. In some situations, a refundable cash deposit to the owner in addition to the agreed upon location fee and required certificate of insurance may be required to provide immediate relief for property damage. NO alterations to ANY permanent structure are allowed (includes painting, construction, drilling / nailing) without prior agreement with owner. NO water, wetting, fire, fireams or explosives are allowed on ANY property without prior agreement with owner and ONLY per local laws and in the general spirit of safety.

PRODUCTION DETAILS (some of the basic details everyone should be aware of)

1. When moving furniture, always lift from the base- do not drag & always obtain permission from location owner beforehand. Polaroids or digital snaps should be made for reference to ensure that rooms and furniture can and will be returned to their original arrangement(s). Some items (i.e. a piano, which must be re-tuned) require a professional mover and you should be prepared to bear the cost of same in such a case.
2. No Smoking inside any home or building foyers.
3. If smoking is permitted on the grounds outside, please place large ash cans with signs directing crew, do not throw butts in the yard.
4. Cellular phones are required on location, homeowner phones are not available to crew unless organized in advance.
5. Floors, walls and furniture are to be protected with layout board and pads/blankets.
6. At the end of all shoots, the location must be cleaned to return the premises to its original condition.
7. Electricity usage for film is determined on tech scout, if homeowner power is required for film shoots then an additional power fee will be determined. Electricity usage for print (in most cases) only requires normal power and no fee is added for usage.
8. Homeowner personal supplies may only be used if agreed upon in advance.
9. Production companies are expected to supply their own trash bags, toilet paper, paper towels, eating utensils, coffee/ tea, towels for makeup removal, cleaning supplies & sheets when using beds.
10. We ask that production manager & homeowner, prior to shooting, go thru the entire location to make sure there is no existing damage and repeat the same at end of shoot. All damages must be reported within 24 hours. Do not repair any damages until Licensee is able to send insurance company to view & a photograph has been taken of damages.
11. The licensee (client/ production company) is responsible for acquiring all necessary permits and payment of any fees associated therewith. Likewise, production is expected to abide by any local laws or customs regarding parking, traffic, noise or late-night activity.
12. The licensee (client/ production company) is responsible for making sure locations used are returned to their original state.
13. By clicking on any of the links below to search/browse our locations database, you certify that you have read, understand and agree to the above terms and that you furthermore enter into this agreement in the general spirit of cooperation, understanding, mutual benefit (and fun!) for all concerned. If so, then click away!

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