WHAT LOCATION FEES ACTUALLY COVER

If you’ve been approached about renting your Nashville property for a film, commercial, photo shoot, or other production, one of the first questions is usually: How much should I charge?

Location fees can vary considerably depending on the property, type of production, number of people on set, hours needed, and how much the production will impact the property.

But what exactly is a production paying for?

A location fee isn’t simply rent for the hours the camera is rolling. It compensates the property owner for giving a production temporary access to and control of their property.

WHAT DOES A LOCATION FEE COVER?

A typical location fee may account for:

Access to the property
The production is paying for the right to use the agreed-upon areas of your property during specific dates and hours.

The production's footprint
A shoot may bring cameras, lighting equipment, wardrobe racks, tables, catering, vehicles, crew and other equipment onto the property. Larger productions generally create a larger footprint and command a higher fee.

Temporary disruption
Even a well-managed production can interrupt normal use of a home or business. A location fee helps compensate an owner for that inconvenience.

Prep and wrap time
Productions often need access before filming begins to bring in equipment, dress the location or prepare the space. They may also need time afterward to remove equipment and return the property to its original condition.

Prep, shoot and wrap days may be negotiated at different rates.

Exclusivity and control
Depending on the production, owners may temporarily lose access to portions—or occasionally all—of their property while filming takes place.

The uniqueness of the location
A distinctive property that closely matches the creative brief can command a higher fee, particularly when comparable locations are difficult to find.

WHAT IS USUALLY NOT INCLUDED?

The location fee itself should not automatically be assumed to cover every production-related expense.

Depending on the shoot, additional costs may include:

  • Cleaning

  • Security

  • Site representatives

  • Additional utilities

  • Parking

  • Restroom facilities

  • Restoration or repairs

  • Overtime

  • Additional prep or wrap days

  • Special requests or alterations to the property

These details should be discussed and documented before the production arrives.

HOW ARE LOCATION FEES DETERMINED?

There isn't one universal Nashville filming-location rate.

A private residence used for a small editorial photo shoot will be priced very differently from a commercial production bringing dozens of crew members, trucks and equipment onto the property.

When evaluating a fee, consider the type of production, crew size, hours, areas being used, number of vehicles, equipment, prep and wrap requirements, alterations to the property and overall disruption.

Commercial advertising productions typically have different budgets and requirements than editorial shoots, independent films, music videos or smaller content productions.

Rather than establishing one permanent rate for every production, property owners can evaluate each inquiry individually.

WHAT ABOUT OVERTIME?

Your location agreement should establish the number of hours included in the agreed fee and what happens if production runs beyond them.

Overtime rates should be established before the shoot, not negotiated while a crew is still filming in your living room at 11:30 at night.

The same applies to early access, additional prep days, wrap days and any production request that extends beyond the original agreement.

SHOULD YOU REQUIRE A SECURITY DEPOSIT?

Depending on the size and scope of the production, owners may request a refundable security or damage deposit.

Productions should also carry appropriate insurance. Property owners can request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) showing the production company's coverage and, when appropriate, listing the property owner or entity as an additional insured.

For general information about business insurance and certificates of insurance, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance provides additional resources.

A LOCATION FEE IS REALLY ABOUT IMPACT

The easiest way to think about a location fee is this:

The production isn't just paying for the space. It's paying for access, time, disruption and temporary control of that space.

A beautiful kitchen occupied by six people for a four-hour lifestyle shoot is very different from that same kitchen being used for a 12-hour commercial with 50 crew members, equipment throughout the house and production vehicles outside.

The property hasn't changed.

The production's impact has.

That's why understanding the full scope of a shoot before agreeing to a rate is so important.

BEFORE QUOTING A LOCATION FEE

Before giving a production a number, ask for the basic scope of the project:

  • What is the project?

  • What will be filmed or photographed?

  • How many people will be on site?

  • How many hours are needed?

  • Are prep or wrap days required?

  • Which areas of the property will be used?

  • How much equipment will be brought in?

  • How many production vehicles are expected?

  • Will furniture or artwork need to be moved?

  • Are any temporary alterations requested?

  • Will exterior areas or neighboring property be affected?

Once you understand those details, you can evaluate a reasonable fee and establish appropriate terms.

For additional guidance, read How to Set Film + Photography Rates for Your Property and Hosting a Film or Photo Shoot: What to Expect in our property-owner resources.