How to make the most of filming in your church

Starring as a filming location can be really exciting for your church. From the immediate income to the longer-term tourism draw, there are many advantages to be had. Any church could benefit from this but knowing where to start is hard. Find out how you can get involved and how to make the most of the opportunity from independent Film Location Management Consultant Henry Neild and Tricia Davis, from Bolton Percy All Saints parish church. 

Major benefits for your church

Allowing filming to take place in your church has benefits beyond the excitement of seeing it feature on screen.  

It depends on the length of the shoot and how intrusive it might be, but film and television producers will pay thousands of pounds for the right location. Your church could get a major boost of funding for just a few days’ use.  

Tricia Davis, from Bolton Percy All Saints Church in North Yorkshire, which was used for the filming of BBC series Gentleman Jack, explains:  

“The proceeds from the filming, over the small amount of disruption, was well worth the effort and in monetary terms benefitted the church immensely with much needed funds.”

Not all projects are the same

And there are long term benefits, too. If a building features in a popular tv drama or a film, it could become a tourist magnet for years to come. Then you get all the benefits of that, including increased donations from visitors and becoming better-known generally.  

“People sometimes think that a filming shoot means an enormous crew making a blockbuster movie, needing to use a whole location for a week,” says Henry Neild, independent Film Location Management Consultant.

“While that can happen, and can be very well-paying, it’s not ideal for everyone. But that’s ok. Projects can be really varied. At the other end of the spectrum, it could be a reporter and a camera operator using your church for an hour, to shoot a feature for an entertainment show.” 

Where to start

“The biggest question that I get from people who look after possible locations [like churches] is how they can get involved,” says Henry.

From the outside, the film and television industry can appear closed off. But it’s really simple to get your church to be considered as a filming location.

“You can register with an agency,” continues Henry.

“These companies have libraries of locations, which producers will use to identify suitable places to film. There is no cost to registering. They work on a commission basis, so they’ll just charge a percentage when a location is used. The best way to make sure that you can be seen is by registering with four or five different agencies.

“Even if you’re not the quintessential parish church, I’d definitely encourage you to register – if you’re interested. Your place of worship could be right for a specific project.

“The most important thing is to be organised from the start. Think about which parts of your church might be most useful. [Then], take some really good photographs that showcase your building.”

If your place of worship is chosen

Once your building is listed with a locations agency, you can sit back and wait for an offer.  

The agency will get in touch with you to ask whether you’re interested in the opportunity. It’s always exciting to hear that a crew might want to film in your church. But amid the emotion, it’s important to consider your response.  

This is where an independent consultant can be helpful. They will be able to help you get the right deal by ensuring that you’re comfortable with how your church might be used and that you’re receiving the right fee.

Find out how to hire a consultant at our free training session

“The initial offer you receive might seem generous but do remember that a cut will go to the agency. Producers will often be willing to put a bit more money on the table, so it can be worth your time negotiating,” Henry advises.

A contract will be produced, which will help give both parties peace of mind and outline expectations for the shoot.

“[It] might outline specific conditions for use of your building,” continues Henry.

“It’s an opportunity to get the assurances you need about what the filming will involve and how long it might take. It will also cover further details, like insurance responsibilities, which you won’t want to get wrong.” 

On the day: preparation and expectations 

Bolton Percy All Saints had a brilliant experience of the shoot at their church. 

“The whole process was smoothly executed from start to finish,” says Trisha.  

“When all the props and equipment were packed ready to depart there was no sign that they had ever been filming. The crew were efficient, and it was a well-oiled operation.” 

However, not all experiences will be so straightforward. The nature of any filming will dictate how complex the situation is on the day, so while you’ll need to communicate any implications to volunteers and the congregation, you may also need to prepare your own expectations.  

This can include parts of your building been unavailable to use, furniture moved around or covered up or stunts taking place. 

"People often find it overwhelming when half a dozen lorries turn up one morning,” explains Henry.  

“Even if they’ve prepared in the right way, [for example by] making sure that parking is available, emotions can be heightened by seeing your building and the land around it filled with people, big pieces of equipment, catering vans and all of the bustle that comes with it, too.” 

An independent consultant, like Henry will be a valuable asset to have on the day too. They will be able to liaise with the crew, to ensure that things run smoothly. If there are any problems or if things don’t go to plan, they’ll also know how to respond. 

“When working on projects, I often advise people with locations – whether they're home-owners or church leaders – to just take themselves away during filming,” shares Henry. 

“It takes an element of stress away for them. They can just come back to the property as it was. 

“The reality is that a shoot won’t always go to plan. A director might change their mind on where they want to film, or the process might take longer than expected. With so many moving parts, it’s hard to predict.” 

The experience of a consultant can be helpful in this regard, both in explaining what to expect – depending on the project and the contract – and also in responding to changes on a busy set.  

Having your church used for filming can be a hugely exciting prospect. But it can also be stressful if you’re not sure what to expect. Being organised about the process, from beginning to end, can help you to make the most of the experience. By following the advice of a consultant, taking your time to make decisions and keeping a handle on your expectations, you can increase the benefits and potential benefits that a starring role on screen could bring.  

For more information, and for the opportunity to ask any questions, come to our free training session with Henry Neild from 2-3pm on Wednesday 30 April.

For churches: top tips for your place of worship  

• Register your building with a location management agency, if you want it to be used for filming. The process is free and will help you to get identified by producers. Just remember to get good quality photos of your building’s best features first.  
• Take your time to assess an offer. Negotiate a contract to make sure that you’re getting the right deal for your building.  
• Set your expectations for the day. Remember that a set is a working environment. Things can be intense and won’t always go to plan.  
• Use the services of an independent consultant. Having a professional who knows what they’re doing can be invaluable throughout the process. From advising on contract clauses to speaking to producers during the shoot, they’ll know how to make sure that you can make the most of filming in your church.