Screen Somerset
Film and television production can be great for the local economy. Screen Somerset, Somerset Council’s film office, supports, encourages and celebrates filming in the county in recognition of the economic and wider benefits it can bring. Please get involved.
Film-friendly accommodation? Register now!
Promote your accommodation to film and TV productions shooting in the area by registering on the Filming in England Suppliers Directory filminginengland.co.uk/supplier-directory/
You can register B&Bs, self-catering accommodation, hotels or serviced apartments – it should only take a few minutes.
There are no guarantees, but it’s free to register and it could lead to valuable extra bookings, especially out of season.
Productions on location usually need accommodation for cast and crew. They will be looking for affordable hotel accommodation within 30-45 minutes of the filming location and potential luxury options too. Budgets vary considerably, but they will usually be looking to negotiate reasonable rates. A film company may have between 50-150 people working on location at the same time and crew typically work 12-18 hour days, sometimes six days a week.
How to be ‘film friendly’
• Offer a discount on block bookings for single occupancy rooms.
• Offer accommodation on ‘room only’ basis – meals are often provided on set.
• Offer flexible rates on out of hours and late check-in and check-out times.
• Hold pencil bookings longer than normal – filming schedules can change last minute.
• Have flexible payment cancellation and amendment policies.
• Single occupancy rooms will be required, with ensuite as standard.
• Provide complimentary Wi-Fi and good connectivity.
• Provide free onsite parking – and be clear on restrictions to access such as height barriers.
• Space for meetings, kit, wardrobe and make-up is helpful.
• Demonstrate sustainability – productions like to see a green policies in place.
• Be open to providing out of hours bar and room service if possible.
• Be discreet about high-profile artists – you may be asked to sign an NDA.
• Have a single point of contact from the initial enquiry and during the crews stay.
Film friendly catering? Register now!
Promote your catering business to film and TV productions shooting in the area by registering it on the Filming in England Suppliers Directory filminginengland.co.uk/supplier-directory/
There are no guarantees, but it’s free to register and it could lead to valuable extra income, especially out of season.
Whether it’s a mobile coffee van or an business that can feed a crew of 150, productions on location usually need catering. If they can find it close to the location it saves time and money and helps meet green commitments.
A film company may have between 50-150 people working on location at the same time and crew typically work 12-18 hour days, sometimes six days a week.
How to be ‘film friendly’
• Be open to negotiating rates according to the size of the production and its budget.
• Demonstrate sustainability credentials – productions will be looking for them.
• Cater for a range of dietary requirements – including vegan, gluten-free and plant-based.
• Offer fresh, seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients.
• Offer a diverse menu – particularly if catering for a crew for a several days.
• Have a scalable service able to cater for a small or large crew.
• Be open to catering at unsociable hours and in unusual locations.
• Hold pencil bookings for longer than normal – filming schedules can change last minute.
• Have flexible payment cancellation and amendment policies.
Do you own a potential filming location? Get in touch with Screen Somerset
Promote your home, business or land as a potential location for film or television production with the help of Screen Somerset. It works with Location Scouts to attract filming to the county, helping them find their ideal places to shoot. Productions can be looking for just about anything, from a stately home to a stable, a farm to a forest track – anything you see on screen is a location.
Screen Somerset can list your property on its locations database and the national Filming in England Location Directory, helping promote it to the industry. There’s no commitment to anything beyond a conversation with a Location Manager and it’s completely free and with the potential to generate extra income.
Email filming@somerset.gov.uk to find out more.
How to be film-friendly?
• Be contactable – respond quickly to enquiries and have a single point of contact if possible.
• Be flexible – requests could be for one day or two months, interior or exteriors or both.
• Be clear on what you can and cannot do – for example around times of year or big events.
• Be ready to negotiate – production budgets vary and fees charged should take this into account.
• Understand what parking is available – productions bring vehicles and it helps to know what parking may be available, on or near your property.
