I was wondering if anyone has had any experience renting furniture to movie productions. I have been approached about renting a number of pieces to a production company that will be shooting a movie this spring in Durham, NC starring Orlando Bloom and Ellen Bursten. Apparently they are looking for some high end Victorian pieces they can rent for 10 to 15 percent of appraised value for a month or two. I have some reservations about this due to the potential for damage that can occur. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Michael
Renting high end Victorian furniture to movie productions.
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Victorian Furniture thread on victorianforum.com · started March 19, 2009 by michaelo · 11 posts · discussion in 2009.
I was wondering if anyone has had any experience renting furniture to movie productions. I have been approached about renting a number of pieces to a production company that will be shooting a movie this spring in Durham, NC starring Orlando Bloom and Ellen Bursten.…
I got approached for the same thing for a music video, but the location was too far, so I nixed it. I haven't done it, but here are things that I would consider:
You might ask for a damage deposit that is refundable, equal to another 15% on top of the charge for renting. If you have a deposit equal to 15% for ALL the pieces, that adds up to enough to cover a single piece getting completely destroyed. You can always send them a bill for damage beyond what the deposit covered, but at least you already have recovered most of it out of the gate. Alternatively, maybe you can talk to your insurer for a short term special coverage for damage and roll the charge into the rental fee.
I'd be curious how they planned to get the furniture from you to them and back. Professional movers or stage hand and a pickup? Or they can pay you to handle transportation (more $$).
Take video of exterior of each piece, top to bottom. Video can capture more angles than the average photos that you might take before shipping them away. You can always take photos too, but you'd have video as backup reference in case there was a spot that got damaged that the photos didn't capture.
You saw how the Herter pieces that Warner had were beat up due to decades of being moved around by movie grunts, so it's a real risk. However, decades of exposure to possible abuse vs. a few months is a different scale.
Some long-time dealers like Joan Bogart or Lise Bohm may likely have run into this request before. Ask them. I can only assume Antiquarian Traders out of Hollywood does this all the time. Ask them, too.
I'd like to see your pieces make it into the movie so I hope it works out.
You might ask for a damage deposit that is refundable, equal to another 15% on top of the charge for renting. If you have a deposit equal to 15% for ALL the pieces, that adds up to enough to cover a single piece getting completely destroyed. You can always send them a bill for damage beyond what the deposit covered, but at least you already have recovered most of it out of the gate. Alternatively, maybe you can talk to your insurer for a short term special coverage for damage and roll the charge into the rental fee.
I'd be curious how they planned to get the furniture from you to them and back. Professional movers or stage hand and a pickup? Or they can pay you to handle transportation (more $$).
Take video of exterior of each piece, top to bottom. Video can capture more angles than the average photos that you might take before shipping them away. You can always take photos too, but you'd have video as backup reference in case there was a spot that got damaged that the photos didn't capture.
You saw how the Herter pieces that Warner had were beat up due to decades of being moved around by movie grunts, so it's a real risk. However, decades of exposure to possible abuse vs. a few months is a different scale.
Some long-time dealers like Joan Bogart or Lise Bohm may likely have run into this request before. Ask them. I can only assume Antiquarian Traders out of Hollywood does this all the time. Ask them, too.
I'd like to see your pieces make it into the movie so I hope it works out.
Joan Bogart definitely has done this (here is a link to her website that states so: http://www.antiqueslighting.com/about.htm ) and would probably have some advice for you -possibly/ probably others too who typically deal in high end furniture/ items. In addition to RV's advice - I would suggest that you should have a well written contract with their written assurance that they would be handled with the utmost care and that they will be fully responsible for any damage done while in their possesion (any needed repair work to be done by the professional restorer of your choice - not theirs) - video taping their condition before renting would be a very wise thing to do (very compelling proof in a court of law if ever needed). Also there should be a limit on the time period, and the return by date, or extra fee's should be established in writting if it runs beyond what is expected. It would be interesting to hear how it goes if you do decide to do it. Good luck. woodwright
Well it would seem the economy has even effected movie production. For the last several movies M. Night Shamalan (sp.?) did here in Chester Co., it was a double boon for the dealers, as the company bought the pieces outright, and then 'dumped' them at Freeman's, and were bought back by other dealers at a very reduced rate. I would also be nervous about 'renting,' perhaps you can convince them for a 'bulk discount' of many pieces. I would also consult your insurance agent, in regards to 'inland marina' and coverage; this is not like when you 'let' a piece out to a good, trusted client. What is their insurance like?
Another idea, in line with when you 'let' out a piece to said client, get a check for the full amount; then when it is returned in good condition, exchange checks for the percentage you agreed upon. Just typing aloud. Good luck
John, RVR
Another idea, in line with when you 'let' out a piece to said client, get a check for the full amount; then when it is returned in good condition, exchange checks for the percentage you agreed upon. Just typing aloud. Good luck
John, RVR
M. Night is my neighbor (7 miles away neighbor), so I'll just drop by and ask him ;)
Well I have been working with the movie people and they are definitely going to be renting 7 of my pieces for the film 'Main Street'. These will include pieces from Pottier & Stymus, Jelliff, and Killian Bros. The interesting thing is they were only looking for unrestored pieces in need of restoration; nothing restored or nice looking, which is an essential element of the plot. This suits me fine as the potential for damage becomes less of an issue. They have agreed to a refundable deposit of the full retail value of the pieces, so I think I am pretty well covered. It will be very cool to see some of my pieces in the movie!
Actually my family already has some association with the movies as my uncle was an actor in a couple of films, one of which was 'The Wizard of Oz'. One of my brothers was in a Super Bowl commercial, and another brother has has several bit parts including one in 'Leatherheads' starring George Clooney.
Michael
Actually my family already has some association with the movies as my uncle was an actor in a couple of films, one of which was 'The Wizard of Oz'. One of my brothers was in a Super Bowl commercial, and another brother has has several bit parts including one in 'Leatherheads' starring George Clooney.
Michael
Awesome! Rare Victorian red carpet party when it comes out. We need some tickets! I think you should finagle being there for the movie launch for sure.
One side of my family does the Hollywood thing too: an effects animator and post-production video editor in dozens of popular films and TV shows including the Titantic.
What part did your uncle play in the Oz?
Very exciting! Please share anything along the way.
One side of my family does the Hollywood thing too: an effects animator and post-production video editor in dozens of popular films and TV shows including the Titantic.
What part did your uncle play in the Oz?
Very exciting! Please share anything along the way.
Yeah, thats neat, make a few dollars along the way as well, it doesnt get any better than that.
Actually my uncle was one of the munchkins in the 'Wizard of Oz'. He appeared in another movie as well, but never had much success as an actor. The roles for little people in the movies were limited.
Several grips from the production company returned the furniture yesterday. Of the 7 pieces that I rented them, 3 came back broken, and one of those was severely damaged. A Jelliff armchair was split down the side, and the others had minor to moderate damage. Hard to imagine how the armchair was broken that badly. I will repair 2 of the pieces and charge for the repairs, but I feel the armchair will become property of the movie folks. The production company has assured me that I will be fully compensated for the loss and I have no reason to believe otherwise as they left a cash deposit for the full retail value of all 7 pieces prior to rental. Nevertheless one has to wonder what kind of treatment the furniture received while filming was taking place.
All in all it was a positive experience and I would probably do it again, but I learned it is very important to be sure you are totally covered financially when renting out your antique furniture.
Michael
Several grips from the production company returned the furniture yesterday. Of the 7 pieces that I rented them, 3 came back broken, and one of those was severely damaged. A Jelliff armchair was split down the side, and the others had minor to moderate damage. Hard to imagine how the armchair was broken that badly. I will repair 2 of the pieces and charge for the repairs, but I feel the armchair will become property of the movie folks. The production company has assured me that I will be fully compensated for the loss and I have no reason to believe otherwise as they left a cash deposit for the full retail value of all 7 pieces prior to rental. Nevertheless one has to wonder what kind of treatment the furniture received while filming was taking place.
All in all it was a positive experience and I would probably do it again, but I learned it is very important to be sure you are totally covered financially when renting out your antique furniture.
Michael
Really lame. I can't imagine what kinda drunken party goes on on the sets to have such a high damage %.
Almost 50% damaged (42.8% actually) does seem like a lot. Don't know if I'd do it w/ important items from a personal collection after your experience, yours sound like they were all items you had for sale with a dollar value on them.
If the movie turns out to be a Blockbuster, then maybe the new provenance will add value to the pieces for their appearance in the movie.
If the movie turns out to be a Blockbuster, then maybe the new provenance will add value to the pieces for their appearance in the movie.