‘Tinder’ style matchmaking services are hooking up average Aussie homes with major film, TV and event producers, seeing owners make thousands off location shoots.
The explosion in interest in Australia – thanks to star power of the likes of Hollywood A-lister Chris Hemsworth and Netflix blockbuster Boy Swallows Universe plus attractive incentives to shoot here – is supercharging opportunities to cash in for all types of homes from the most rundown to the ultraluxe.
Homeowners are charging as low as $880 for an eight-hour shoot at Aglow Studio, Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast to as much as $13,750-plus for a day at Paradise Ranch in Terrey Hills in Sydney’s Upper North Shore – with the biggest group centred around the $1,500 to $2.500 a day charge.
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Tom Hiddleston and Chris Hemsworth swamped by fans when Thor was being filmed in Brisbane. Picture: Steve Pohlner.
Pure Locations listing Coolibah, in Allambie Heights in Sydney’s Northern Beaches region charges from $1850 for an eight-hour day of shooting. Picture: Pure Locations
Paradise Ranch, Terrey Hills, in Sydney’s Upper North Shore is among the most exclusive priced from $13,750 for an 8 hour shoot in its Pure Locations listing. Picture: Pure Locations.
Pure Locations director Michelle McCormac, whose firm has over 2,000 homes in their search and booking service, said she “never thought about it like a dating site – but you are right”.
“We profile our clients and our locations to make sure we have a quick way of pairing them together,” she said of her 2,000-plus private locations.
“We need homes of every style. From every day, suburban family homes with a Hills hoist and backyard, to elevated home with unique architectural features, high-end finishes, and distinctive styles.”
“Our clients love the homes that transport you to the Mediterranean. Helping a team look like they are in the hills of Tuscany within 30 minutes of their office is a dream for our fashion clients.”
Michelle McCormac, CEO and Founder of Pure Locations.
Beach Box in Mornington Peninsula, Victoria has its price available on application on Pure Locations, though it’s estimated it could be up to $1,250 per day for shoots.
Hotel California, Woollahra, is priced from $4,000 for an 8 hour day on Pure Locations.
“Modern homes with clean lines, open spaces, and lots of natural light are also highly sought after. Additionally, properties with interesting outdoor spaces, such as gardens, pools, or panoramic views, are also in demand.”
Ms McCormac said demand varied depending on the specific needs of a project, “so there’s also interest in eclectic, vintage, or themed properties”.
She has an in-house team dedicated to ensuring they have homes that fit all briefs and all budgets in every state.
“Yes, an average three-bedroom home in the suburbs can be listed as a location for shoots,” she said. “While unique and high-end properties are popular, there is also a demand for more every day, relatable settings that represent typical family living. Homes that are well-maintained and have a neutral or versatile aesthetic can be attractive for certain projects.”
Papermoon, McLaren Flat in South Australia is available for an eight hour shoot from $1750 on Pure Locations. Picture: Pure Locations.
Woodland House, Brookfield in Queensland is available from $2,200 for an 8 hour day on Pure Locations.
Income varied, she said, depending on things like location, size and uniqueness of the property, as well as the type of production.
“Rates can range from a few hundred dollars for a short photo shoot to several thousand dollars per day for larger film or commercial productions. High-end or particularly unique properties might command even higher rates.”
Ms McCormac said listing your home with agencies like Pure Locations helped match it with production companies. There is a registration and onboarding process which involves submitting high-quality photos of all areas of your home.
Pure Locations connect locations with producers, with homes ranging from the unrenovated in the suburbs to flash estates in Upper North Shore.
Her advice was to take the suggestions of her team on board when it comes to pricing and imagery when preparing profiles.
“Having images of every room inside your home and good images of pool, gardens and facade will help your chance of getting more interest in your property. The agency then adds your home to its database, where it can be viewed by location scouts and production teams.”
A popular site linking homes and producers is also A Perfect, whose CEO Kate Mitchell has over 750 private homes alone listed, with prices ranging up to the thousands per day for farms, apartments, mansions, studios, and warehouse conversions.
This private home Xanadu at Mount Keira, NSW, is listed on A Perfect Space for $2,760/8 hour day, the perfect backdrop for producers seeking the essence of 1970s life.
The homes don’t even have to be prettied up, with one category labelled unrenovated family home showing 156 properties available today depending on the director’s needs. Xanadu in Mount Keira, NSW – listed at $2,760 a day – is “a 1970s time warp” with retro charm including textured carpet and original flower power wallpaper.
Among the most unusual is the moonscape feel of an underground dugout residence in White Cliffs, NSW, called Tatooine Plains, that can be hired for $2,640 a day. It has old mining tunnels out the back, with “trace opal in the walls of the old drives and the tunnels go for two levels”. The property is available for photography stills, TVCs and video, TV series and film, events and activations.
This private home, Tatooine Plains at White Cliffs, NSW, is available from $2,640/8 hour day on A Perfect Space – an underground dugout with a moonscape style landscape out the back.
State film arms, such as Screen Queensland also collect a location database that producers can search through, in its case around 1,243 locations.
Demand is expected to continue to rise with the Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering Better Financial Outcomes and Other Measures) Bill 2024, increasing the Location Offset rebate to 30 per cent in July this year – which Ausfilm CEO Kate Marks said was “fantastic news” which would see “benefits flow outside the industry as well, to drivers and taxis, construction and labourers, restaurants and caterers, and creative industries like music”.
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