FAQs

We look for certain criteria for a good film location. Some places may look stunning, but if it won’t work for film crew, then we don’t sign it up. In order to properly promote and manage a location, we need to first understand what it can offer to a production, how easy it is to service, and what potential issues may arise from a production utilising a location. Our USP as a business includes understanding a production company’s needs and desires from a potential location, so we have to be able to foresee the potential benefits and disadvantages of a site before putting a tenant on site.

We offer a location search tool that allows you to refine your search, filtering your results to suit your interest. You can search via categories, keywords, or property features; this is ideal when searching for a specific location or in a particular area.

An important part of hiring UK filming locations is obtaining written permission from the property owner. When booking through Area 4, we will provide the Licence for you and negotiate the hire agreement with the property landlord.

Things are slightly different when filming in public spaces, though. If you need a public space, you will need to acquire the necessary permits and paperwork from the local council’s Film Office.

Our team will liaise with your security or facilities team to prepare the building for filming use, we handles all recces, and manage filming on site. There may be questions that the film production need answering, but we look after the brunt of these and manage all documentation, fee negotiation, site visits and invoicing.

The film industry tends to move quickly, most filming contracts are not finalised and signed off until between one and five days before the first hire date. Feature films work more in advance and book locations once actors’ availability dates are secured. TV productions and commercials operate on a much shorter lead. time.

The Film Companies won’t take a lease, just a licence which has been approved by countless landlords and film companies in the past and we know covers your interests.

The film industry works in days and weeks and will only take space for as long as they need it. When a production is finished there is no more work to do. They may overrun a couple of weeks, sometimes and so the production offices may be required for a little longer.

No – the weekly rate for office hire is an inclusive figure.

Usually, yes, they can pay for electricity used on top of the licence fee.

No – we are a property agency acting for the landlord/owner. A licence is always used.

No, we always act on behalf of the property owner trying to generate as much income for them.

Productions are responsible for any damage done and we undertake a photographic record and will enforce any repairs necessary. We hold the deposit until all is approved.

Generally companies prefer to film on weekdays, but sometimes can film weekends if they have to, although it costs them more as their crews demand a higher daily rate.

No, film companies have fixed timescales and work back from when the main actors are booked. They know each week where the actors will be and who will be required to do what.

No, we will invoice them and then will ask for an invoice to us for the landlord’s agreed share (either 70% or 80% depending on the level of our involvement) which we always pay immediately. It is something our clients really appreciate and is one of the great advantages of working with Area4.

For production offices, film companies may want to have a props store nearby. They generally know how much office space they require for the duration of the production, usually 3500sq ft – 7500sq ft. They will not take more space than they require.

This depends on the size of the production office required, but it ranges from 25 – 50. For filming activity, all parking will usually be at the unit base.

75% of filming activity is in London and the south-east. Generally, all the locations needed are in this area. More specifically it tends to be from the M3 clockwise round to the M4 and on round to the M1 / A1 area, and not more than 30 miles from central London.

The Line Producer will have a fixed budget allocated for offices or locations and they will try to find what they need within that strict budget. For production office hire, they are usually looking at tired, vacant offices where the landlord is happy to be receiving any income, but for others, no , they will be limited by their weekly allowance.

Yes, a damages deposit is always taken and held by Area4.

No, we provide on-site management when filming activity occurs so the landlord doesn’t have to take people away from their normal jobs and reassign them. We also know what areas have been paid to film in and what areas are out of bounds, and are constantly monitoring what any film company is physically doing to the property. We will immediately stop them doing something that hasn’t been agreed.

On film sets, they will provide their own security.

No, we will accompany all “recces” and understand film companies requirements and can deal with their queries.

In central London we can charge up to £5000 per day for filming, but for some of our locations we have been able to generate £10,000 per day. Out of central London it’s more like £3000/£4000 per day.

It varies tremendously, but we will still be able to charge them 50% of the daily filming fee for “prep” days ( before the shoot days) and strike days ( after the shoot days ) when they tidy up, clear out and make any repairs.