Professional Documents
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British Columbia Property Managers Guide
British Columbia Property Managers Guide
A World of Looks
www.bcfilmcommission.com
PROPERTY MANAGERS GUIDE
British Columbia is one of the busiest motion picture To support this commitment, the province is working
production centers in North America. Since 1999, the to ensure:
industry has registered direct expenditures of over
$1 billion annually. With hundreds of productions, an Timely decisions (within five working days
economic impact approaching $3 billion, and whenever possible) for any producer who wants
generating jobs for up to 30,000 British Columbians, to film at a property or location operated by the
the industry ranks as one of the province’s success province
stories and a potent economic force. Accountability supported by clear, written
decisions
Why do people like to bring their productions to BC? Transparency; including all information about loca-
It’s simple. We offer: tions and the decision-making process, readily
available to producers
A World of Looks in Locations Globally competitive fees
World Class Facilities Simple and accessible permit and application
Very competitive costs processes
A vast, highly skilled workforce
A favourable currency exchange rate At the same time, government has some expecta-
Supportive and proactive governments tions of the production industry that include:
One of the greatest things about BC is its range of Location filming at government sites cannot
scenery and scenarios: from big cities, to seascapes, unreasonably inconvenience the public
to mountain wilderness, to Wild West towns. No essential government service will be impaired
by film activity
British Columbia has A World of Looks for motion Industry will assume appropriate risks – including
picture producers. the costs of production, liabilities, reclamation, and
remediation
This guide is designed to help property managers All productions will honour the Best Practices -
working within government or the private sector to Motion Picture Locations Code of Conduct
better understand the needs of the motion picture
production industry. It offers practical information to The following information is a step by step
ensure that your contact with the industry – and its property manager’s guide to assist property
contact with you – is as productive as possible. owners and managers to understand the unique
nature of motion picture production on location.
PRODUCTION GUIDE 1
locations digital library affectionately known as FILM Step 2 – The Locations Survey
Director. It is a compilation of more than 100,000
images from throughout the province. The process of choosing a location usually begins
with a site visit by the producer’s location manager or
The Provincial Government encourages its property scout. The manager will probably take pictures of your
managers to register with this digital library, property and gather other information such as:
particularly if you manage a building or other structure
(e.g. dam, bridge, ferry terminal). It is also available to Sun exposure
other levels of government and private sector Ambient noise
property managers and owners. Vehicle access and parking
Elevator and stair access
The first step of location registration is to create a Power availability
digital “photo file” of your property – a virtual tour in Equipment & Holding areas
pictures. It’s best to use a digital camera, although you
can use a standard camera as long as you save the final Often, productions evaluate a number of sites before
pictures digitally on a CD. one is selected.
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PROPERTY MANAGERS GUIDE
Filming activities may have a minimal impact on the to coordinate the approval process. A standardized
public or environment, or it may be a complex shoot application of use is being developed that will facilitate
that requires more involved deliberation, including filming and will also help producers avoid being billed
statutory impact and risk assessment. more than once for use of the same property.
PRODUCTION GUIDE 3
and restoration. As an alternative to financial on the property. These should be included in the
compensation, the property manager may accept contract. Additionally, if an agent of the property
goods-in-kind such as services or facilities (e.g. manager needs to be present during filming, this
signage and security). should be clearly stated in the contract (and may
also be considered as a cost item for the production
The production company must assume liability for, company).
and indemnify the government or property owner
from and against, any damages resulting from actions
of agents of the company and must provide proof of Step 7 – Follow Up
insurance coverage. Typical contractual conditions
include: Film-making is an unpredictable business. Weather,
availability of key cast and crew, access to other
The production company must provide a locations and a host of other factors can affect the
Certificate of Insurance, that includes evidence shooting schedule. Since re-scheduling or even
of commercial general liability insurance. The dropping a location can be a minor irritant or a major
minimum amount should be determined by the disruption, location managers are expected to
exposure of the individual project, including 30 employ their best efforts to avoid such changes.
days' notice of cancellation and cross liability Where change cannot be avoided, property managers
clauses. The relevant entity should be added as should be prepared to be flexible and accommodating;
an additional insured. It should include any other avoiding arbitrary rules and assessing each case on its
insurance required by the property manager individual merits.
(e.g. automobile coverage, property insurance,
professional liability, environmental protection) If for some reason the property is not available for
Indemnification by the production company of the a requested re-shoot, the property manager should
entity to protect it from losses caused by the make every effort to propose alternative locations or
production company or its filming activity times.
Evidence of Workers' Compensation Board of
British Columbia compliance or its equivalent In situations where disruptions in the filming schedule
Liquidated Damages provisions where there is have cost implications (for either the property
a risk that certain activities, timeliness, or other manager or producer), or in situations where disputes
events may have an impact on the needs or arise (e.g., when application for use requested is
operations of the entity turned down), the British Columbia Film Commission
Procedures for obtaining additional approvals after should be contacted. The Film Commission will
execution of the agreement, where the entity will investigate and if appropriate, attempt to arbitrate.
not be obliged to agree if such a request cannot be
reasonably accommodated
Producers’ commitment to adhere to the
“Best Practices - Motion Picture Locations Code
of Conduct.”
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PROPERTY MANAGERS GUIDE
PRODUCTION GUIDE 5
A World of Looks
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PROPERTY MANAGERS GUIDE
The first step is to create a digital “photo file” of your Save each image as a JPG, making sure you label
property – a virtual tour in pictures. It’s best to use a each location (e.g. “kitchen.jpg”, “bathroom.jpg”,
digital camera, although you can use a standard “backyard.jpg”, etc).
camera as long as you save the final pictures digitally
on a CD as a .jpg file type. If you don’t know how to You must include a signed and dated copy of the
do this yourself, your local photo lab or camera shop release and consent form with your CD, otherwise
can do it for you. we cannot use your location photos. The consent
form can be found on our website at:
www.bcfilmcommission.com
PHOTO FILE GUIDELINES
Submit your CD of photo files by mail or drop
Photograph your property using the widest shots them off at our office located at:
possible. Set your camera at medium resolution; our
target print size is 180 dpi. BC Film Commission,
201 – 865 Hornby St.,
Start with the outside of your house Vancouver, BC
V6Z 2G3
Shoot your neighborhood street looking both
ways. Remember to save all photos as JPG, and do not
include more than one location in a file. Please
Take a wide shot of the house, driveway and yard. remember to provide contact information with your
photo file.
Take a wide shot of the backyard and back of
house.
PRODUCTION GUIDE 7
Motion Picture Production and my Property
Congratulations. Your home or property has been selected as a
motion picture location. Not only are you earning a little money,
but you have a great story to tell your friends and you’re
helping support BC’s motion picture production industry.
By now a location manager should have made contact The use of special effects such as smoke, snow,
with you. This person works for a production company fire, gunshots, or simulated explosions.
and both must be registered with the British Columbia
Film Commission. To confirm the validity of the loca- Any areas off-limits to cast and crew.
tion manager or production company, call the British
Columbia Film Commission at (604) 660-2732. Any alterations the production requires (painting,
construction, gardening).
Once your property is accepted as a location, the
location manager should provide you with a Positioning and parking of heavy equipment and
proposed Locations Schedule, detailing dates and vehicles.
times the producers plan to use your property, and a
draft Location Agreement. Alternate accommodations and basic living
expenses for you and your family during the shoot.
The following is a check list for you to follow while in
discussion with the location manager: Clean up and remediation requirements (again,
usually the responsibility of the producer).
Use of your personal property in filming, safe
storage of items not being used, and details for The agreement should also hold the production
packing and moving personal property. It’s usually company responsible for all the activities on your
up to the producer to cover any of these costs. property during the shoot, and release you of liability.
Cast and crew use of washrooms, water, The producers should also give you a copy of their
electricity, laundry machines and kitchens; relevant insurance papers before shooting begins.
smoking restrictions; trash removal; and,
protective floor coverings. If you have any questions regarding on-location mo-
tion piture production in your community, contact your
local film co-ordinator at your minicipal hall, call the
BC Film Commission at 604 660-2732, or refer to our
website:
www.bcfilmcommission.com
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PROPERTY MANAGERS GUIDE
While there are obvious benefits to having a Each production is different and the impact varies a
production shot in your neighbourhood, merchants are great deal. Don’t expect that all production working in
often concerned about the effect the work might have your area will compensate at the same rate.
on their businesses.
Meanwhile, some businesses, particularly those that
The BC film community supports compensation for take appointments like hair salons and dentists’
those businesses that have been negatively impacted offices, should not shut down when there is a location
during a locations shoot. If you believe that a location- shoot nearby. If they are worried that their customers
shoot has cost you business and you do not have a won’t have access to their shop, a more effective
separate deal with the producer, you should claim a strategy is to contact the location manager.
loss with the film production company.
Tell them your unique needs and work with them to
If there is a Business Improvement Society in your find a mutually beneficial solution. Alternative parking
area, arrangements could be made with the society, arrangements or valet service for customers may be
and your municipality to act as broker to ensure that options. You can find the name of the location
your business is fairly compensated. manager on the Notification Letter, or by contacting
your municipal office or the BC Film Commission at
A claim should include proof of loss of net profits in (604) 660-2732 or email to:
comparison with past days of equal activity over the community@bcfilmcommission.com
previous year. Other factors, such as weather and
time of year, may have resulted in your losses as well, The best strategy for dealing with a location shoot in
and should be taken into account when assessing the your neighbourhood is to consider it an opportunity.
production company’s impact.
Production cast and crews are generally a captive
Production companies often buy your products or audience, and require the same sorts of services and
services for the value of the claimed gross losses to products that any visiting business people or residents
compensate for business loss. might need.
PRODUCTION GUIDE 9
Production Registration
Production Title: Production Company:
Local Address:
Phone: Fax:
E-mail Address:
Do you want your address included on the weekly BC Film Commission Film List? YES NO
Type
TV Series Animation Video Feature
Other:
Content
Union
Non Union Union (please check one)
Schedule
PREP From: To: Total of Days:
Details
Executive Producer(s):
Producer(s): Cell:
Director: DOP:
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PROPERTY MANAGERS GUIDE
Casting: Extras:
Cast:
Proposed Activities:
Address:
Phone: Fax:
E-mail Address:
PRODUCTION GUIDE 11
Location Worksheet
To be submitted with the Street Use Request Form and a map
Location: Date(s):
Scenes to be filmed Please include detailed description and requirements of scenes (a seperate page may be used)
Extras:
Traffic Control
Street/Lane (east/west, name): ITC Closure applicable
Lighting Please specify (a seperate page may be used) and attach a map of positioning
Cameras Please specify (a seperate page may be used) and attach a map of positioning
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PROPERTY MANAGERS GUIDE
Incident Report
Date: Location:
Action Taken
Follow Up
Witnesses / Police
1. Name: 4. Name:
Phone: Phone:
2. Name: 5. Name:
Phone: Phone:
3. Name: 6. Name:
Phone: Phone:
PRODUCTION GUIDE 13
Notice to User
The information provided or referred to in this The Copyright Policy can be found on the website:
Production Guide is provided to assist the needs of Copyright Policy - www.gov.bc.ca
the film community and give general information
about filming in British Columbia. The information and the Privacy Statement can be found on the
herein does not constitute expert advice. website:
Privacy Statement - www.gov.bc.ca
The Production Guide and the Digital Photo Library
are the sole property of the Government of British are incorporated as part of this Notice.
Columbia and are made available to the domestic and
international film production industry as a resource Limitation of Liabilities
only and without the transfer of any copyright or other
intellectual property right to the user. Under no circumstances will the Government of
British Columbia be liable to any person or business
The Government of British Columbia does not entity for any direct, indirect, special, incidental,
authorize the reproduction or distribution of either the consequential, or other damages based on any use of
Production Guide or the Digital Photo Library for any this Production Guide, including, without limitation,
commercial purpose other than as research materials. any lost profits, business interruption, or loss of pro-
grams or information, even if the Government of
All of the locations in the BCFC web photo packages British Columbia has been specifically advised of the
are intended as a visual representation for marketing possibility of such damages.
BC as a film destination. The Government of British
Columbia makes no representations or warranties
concerning the availability of these locations.
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PROPERTY MANAGERS GUIDE
PRODUCTION GUIDE 15