What It Is Like To Own A Shoot Location
With Founder of Location Creation Ltd and Owner of Deerhurst Road Shoot Location.
Introduction
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a location house? Gillian Milner has hosted film and photoshoots in her home over the years and earns a living doing so. Now she helps others do the same at Location Creation Ltd. Let’s have a chat and delve into her exciting life.
Q: Tell Us a Little Bit About Yourself?
Hello! I have been renting out my house for twenty years - we moved into Deerhurst Road Shoot Location with a six month old son, Jack. I was still working in advertising when we had our daughter Lola and I used that maternity leave to get the house set up as a shoot location. It is with this knowledge and experience that led me to setting up Location Creation Ltd four years ago.
I now work for myself with a fantastic team of Dinah, Davina, Molly, Letty and Christine and Ben from R3 photography.
Hobbies and Interest outside the chaos of shoots
When I am not working - I love yoga, swimming, walking and spending time with my girlfriends. A lot of my mates have even set their homes up as shoot locations. In Fact that is how it all began.
Q: Tell Us More About What Led You Into The World of Film Locations and Turning Your Home
Into a Business?
Gillian’s Former Career
I started my working life in advertising and went onsite for lots of shoots in people's houses. I always thought it was such a great idea to get your actual home to earn money. We found a retro, 1970’s home, Deerhurst Road and set it up as a shoot location of our very own. It has helped us along the way to pay for the house and our two children. I now help others do the same.
The Birth of Location Creation Ltd
One day my friend Meg asked me “how do I put my house out there and use it for shoots like you?” I started helping her and the idea for the business was seeded. From there, Location Creation was born.
Q: What Inspires You Most About Owning and Operating a Retro Shoot Location?
1970’s Style and Inspiration
The 70's was such a fun era. All those colours and patterns. The decor and props that you can collect are so interesting.
Having a styled and curated home definitely makes life easy for shoots that are looking for a retro backdrop. I love seeing these areas of the home in shoots. One of my favourites has been the Arlo Parks/Dazed Magazine/Converse shoot. They touched on mental health and she was a true pleasure.
Q: What Is Your Favourite Space In The House That You Love Seeing In Print or Film?
Deerhurst Road Shoot Location Spaces
Deerhurst Road is mostly unique for the iconic Disco Room and Indoor/Outdoor Pool. My friends even bought me a beautiful mirror ball for the disco room. It spins, lights up and definitely gets it’s use for shoots (and parties).
I am also totally obsessed with my new golden velvet, retro bed in the loft from A Beautiful Place To Get Lost (thank you). It has a built in tape machine and radio, reading lights and seats - like an aeroplane seat so you can sit up in bed and read your book. I love the velvet surround. It looks great in photographs - Yung Lean and Nieve Ella were the first to shoot it.
In Conclusion- Why Should Someone Set Their Home Up As a Film Location?
Gillian’s Top Three Points
It is a way of getting your house to earn money
It can be fun - you can meet some really lovely people
It is exciting seeing your house in a shoot
If you want to set your home up as a film location house, just do it. Give it a go like me and many others have done. There is potential for it to become a side hustle or even full time job. I would say the most popular homes are those located within the M25 and where the owner is flexible. Is this you?
