How to Submit Your Property as a Georgia Film Location

As a location specialist here in the film office, I spend most of my time putting together customized packages of location photos for producers and location managers. We have nearly 50,000 images in our database, each tagged with categories and attributes, so if someone needs a farmhouse or an abandoned industrial site or a modern commercial building we can easily find it. This database is private—there is no public access—but property owners can submit photos and information of their home or business directly by visiting our website.

As noted on that site, the more photos the better (up to 20), and the more looks the better. We need interior shots, exterior shots, a wide view of the property to see what surrounds the house, and other unique features, like a pool, workshop, or landscaped garden. No need to shoot every room in the house—a toilet is a toilet, unless your bathroom is unusually spectacular.

We need properties—especially residences—of all types. Not just estates and mansions. These photos need to be functional as opposed to arty. No close-ups of the items in your pantry (yes, we’ve gotten those), or your pets or grandchildren, or your unmade bed with a laundry basket on top of it. If you don’t have a decent digital camera or you don’t take great pictures, get a friend to do it. Photos may also need to be resized so that they are “monitor-quality” (between 200 KB and 1 MB). Generally, shoot wide and not tight, and think of what you would highlight if you were selling your home.

I often get asked what producers most want to see, and there is no standard answer. Sometimes they are very specific – a farmhouse on a dirt road with trees behind it (hence the need for a wide shot). They could be looking for a very modern office interior, or a period ’40s kitchen, or a convenience store. So if you’re thinking “they probably wouldn’t want my ____,” please think again! The greater the variety of locations in our database, the better. Sometimes one right house means the difference between a project coming to Georgia or going elsewhere.

Finally, I am frequently asked about compensation and what to expect if your property is chosen as a location. Here are some thoughts on that:

1. We recommend that the contract indemnifies you and that the production company carries insurance.
2. There is a price at which the inconvenience will be worth it to you, and a price at which it’s not. Fees depend on the show’s budget, the uniqueness of your property, the number of days spent there, whether the shoot is interior only, exterior only, or both, whether crew also wants to use your furniture, etc.
3. Most of these folks are professionals and will offer you a fair rate on the first try.
4. Do some Internet browsing and learn a bit about the process. It can be a rewarding and fun experience to host a production, though if you work from home or need constant access to your property it may not be a good fit.

So take some nice photos of your home, land, or business and start uploading! We’ll spread the word and maybe your property will be featured on the big screen somewhere. We have 12–40 feature films and television shows on the ground in Georgia at any time, so there is always a production searching for that ideal location.