Thank you for your interest in listing your property in the Creative BC Locations Library for the film and television industry.
If you are a residential or business property owner in British Columbia, you may directly register your property for inclusion in the library and should it be of interest, you will be contacted directly by the production company. There is no cost to list your property with Creative BC.
For further information about motion picture production, what to expect and best practices, see our Filming in your community.
Submitted locations will not be accepted if they do not meet the following guidelines
If you would like your home, business, or property considered as a possible filming location, please upload digital photos via the electronic submission form at the end of these instructions. We will review your photos and, if approved, your property will be added to our password protected Creative BC Locations Library.
Submission Guidelines
- Professional photos are not required, but photos that are dark, outdated, blurry, or too small/low-resolution will not be accepted.
- Image resolution should be 2560 × 1600 (or higher) for optimal web viewing (maximum allowable resolution is 3840 pixels).
- File size should range from 1 MB to 3 MB (with a maximum of 10 MB).
- Image resolution should be at least 300 dpi or higher.
- The submitter must be the property owner or have the legal authority to lease the property for filming purposes.
- If the property is under construction or being remodeled, please wait until the work is complete before submitting photos.
- Property descriptions should include specific details, such as square footage, architectural style, year built, number of bedrooms, and any special features or assets.
- Include photos of any unique assets, such as a pool, barn, etc., in your description.
- Please avoid submitting the same location multiple times.
General Photo Guidelines
- 30 to 40 photos are ideal for most locations.
- Capture both the exterior and interior of the property.
- For exterior shots, include the building, driveway, sidewalk, backyard, and green space, ideally from across the street.
- Take photos of the street in both directions.
- From the front entrance, take a photo looking through the door, and from the opposite side of the entrance, take a reverse photo looking toward the door.
- For each room, stand at one end (off-center) and take a reverse photo from the opposite end. Include entrances when possible.
- Focus on showing the space as a whole, rather than individual decorative details.
- Ensure photos are clear, in color, and without any filters.
- The maximum number of images per submission is 40. We reserve the right to select the best images and remove any redundant or low-quality photos.
- For residential properties, ensure lights are on and curtains/blinds are open to ensure rooms are well-lit and visible.
Mobile Phone Guidelines
- Hold your phone horizontally (landscape mode), not vertically (portrait mode).
- Images must be in JPEG/JPG format.
- If using an iOS/Apple device, make sure photos are in JPEG/JPG format (not HEIC) by:
- Going to Settings
- Tapping Camera
- Tapping Formats
- Selecting Most Compatible
After gathering your photos, please submit them via the Electronic Submission Form provided at the end of these guidelines.
Digital SLR Camera Guidelines
- When using an SLR camera, avoid wide-angle lenses, as they distort space. A 50mm lens is recommended.
- File size should range between 500 KB and 10 MB.
- Images must be in JPEG/JPG format.
- 2560 × 1600 resolution (or higher)* for large size web browsing (max allowable 3840 pixels)
- After gathering your photos, please submit them via the Electronic Submission Form provided at the end of these guidelines.
We Cannot Accept
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Submissions sent via email (please use the Electronic Submission Form).
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Files containing fewer than 20 photos.
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Properties listed for sale.
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Photos with watermarks.
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Photos taken by professional photographers for purposes other than listing your property in the library.
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Photos with date stamps, filters, or text.
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Staged photos featuring people, pets, or objects.
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Screen captures or brochures.
Please follow these guidelines to ensure your submission meets our minimum standards for inclusion in the database.
Read through our FAQs before registering
FAQs + Registration
HOW WILL I KNOW MY LOCATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED?
You will receive an automated email confirming the receipt of your electronic submission.
CAN CREATIVE BC SEND A PHOTOGRAPHER TO SHOOT MY PROPERTY?
While we would love to be able to send a photographer for each property, our resources are limited. We encourage property owners to upload their own photos using our easy-to-use Submit Location tool. By submitting your own photos, your property is typically added to the database much sooner.
WHY DO I NEED TO UPLOAD SO MANY PHOTOS OF MY LOCATION?
Film professionals need to see enough of your property to assess whether it fits their script. A good variety of 30-40 photos usually provides sufficient coverage for most locations.
I HAVE MORE THAN 40 PHOTOS, WHAT DO I DO?
We recommend limiting your submission to 40 photos. However, if your property is large and requires more photos for adequate coverage, you can upload a second batch. The second batch will be merged with the first.
WHY DO YOU NEED EXTERIOR SHOTS IF FILMING WILL TAKE PLACE INSIDE?
We never know whether the filming will focus on the interiors, exteriors, or both. Exterior shots are also important for planning, such as parking space and equipment setup.
DO I HAVE TO INCLUDE PHOTOS OF EVERY SINGLE ROOM IN MY HOUSE?
Please include photos of all the rooms that are available for filming, even those you might not think of, such as a spacious attic or basement.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I UPLOAD MY PHOTOS?
Electronic submissions are reviewed in the order they are received. Our staff will adjust minor image issues, add search keywords, and process the listing. Depending on the queue size, this can take 1-4 weeks.
WHAT SHOULD I WRITE IN THE DESCRIPTION?
Keep your description factual and highlight any unique features such as vaulted ceilings, swimming pools, or unique architectural elements. We may edit or reword your description if necessary. The best way to make your property stand out is to ensure that your photos represent your location well. Remember that the choice of location depends on many variables, such as script requirements, travel budgets, and proximity to other locations.
CAN I CHANGE OR DELETE PHOTOS ONCE THEY’RE UPLOADED?
Once photos are uploaded, you cannot make changes yourself. If you need to update or delete any images, please contact Library Staff, and we will make the necessary changes.
CAN I DELETE MY LOCATION FROM THE DATABASE?
As a property owner, you cannot delete your location from the database. If you no longer wish to list your location or have moved, please contact the Library Staff, and we will update your listing accordingly.
HOW CAN I UPDATE MY LISTING WITH NEW PHOTOS?
If there have been updates or changes to your property, we recommend submitting a new file with updated photos of the entire property.
HOW CAN I UPDATE MY CONTACT INFORMATION?
To update your contact information, please reach out to Library Staff, and we will update the details for you.
HOW OFTEN CAN I EXPECT MY HOME TO BE USED FOR FILMING?
The frequency of filming at your location is unpredictable. If your property fits the requirements of a script, a location manager may select it from the database. You will then be contacted directly by the location manager or production company. We cannot predict how much interest your location will receive.
HOW MUCH DO I GET PAID FOR HAVING FILMING ON MY PROPERTY?
There is no set standard for location fees. The fee will vary based on factors such as the type of property, the impact on the homeowner, the number of filming days, and any special requests from the production company.
HOW IS LIABILITY INSURANCE HANDLED?
Your standard homeowner’s insurance policy is typically sufficient. Additionally, the production company will carry its own insurance and will provide proof of coverage.
HOW CAN I VERIFY IF A FILMING REQUEST IS LEGITIMATE?
Location Scouts may contact you directly or leave a letter expressing interest in filming at your property. If you have any concerns or would like to verify the request, feel free to contact the BC Film Commission at Creative BC at +1 604 736 7997.
For any further questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at library@creativebc.com.
Contact Us
For questions regarding guidelines, submissions, and updating your property, please contact library (at) creativebc.com