How to Pitch Your Rental as a Set for Streaming Campaigns Like Netflix’s Tarot Spots

Land ad shoots and branded campaigns — even Netflix-level spots — by pitching your rental like a production-ready location

Struggling to get booked by brands and location scouts? You're not alone: hosts often lose out because their listings don’t speak production language, lack clear visuals, or miss simple logistics that make a location hireable. This guide gives you a step-by-step location pitch template, a set of key visuals producers expect, and a full production checklist so you can turn your space into a booked set — inspired by the production rigor behind Netflix’s high-profile 2026 tarot campaign.

Why now: trends from late 2025 to 2026 that make your rental valuable to brands

Brands in 2026 doubled down on experiential, hyper-visual campaigns that travel across social, streaming ads, and live activations. Netflix’s “What Next” tarot campaign — which rolled out globally across 34 markets and generated massive owned social reach and press coverage in early January 2026 — is a perfect example: it married a single, high-concept creative with modular content and physical sets (including lifelike animatronics) to create content that scaled across channels.

“The campaign generated 104M owned social impressions and drove Tudum’s best traffic day ever — metrics that advertisers and location scouts pay attention to.”

Key takeaways for hosts:

• Brands want spaces that can be adapted quickly for multiple content formats (hero film, 15s social cuts, stills, in-store activations).
• Production teams prioritize clarity: clear dimensions, easy load-in, reliable power, and permitable exteriors make a location hireable.
• High-production shoots pay well, but they demand production-level documentation, insurance, and logistics. If you can provide those, you win bookings.

Top-level strategy — what to say first in a pitch

Use the inverted pyramid: lead with the value proposition, then the logistics, then the visual proof. Production teams skim: they decide whether to pursue a location within 30–90 seconds of your first email.

Three-line opener (what every scout wants to see immediately)

1. One-line description: name your space, style, and standout feature (e.g., “Mid-century loft with 14ft windows, industrial kitchen, and rooftop deck”).
2. Usage-ready pitch: one sentence saying it’s available for full-day shoots with easy load-in and dedicated parking.
3. Top visual link: include a single hero image (JPEG) and a link to a 60-second virtual walkthrough or 360 photo.

Step-by-step pitch template (copy-and-paste and customize)

Use this as your email or message to location managers, agencies, and brand production leads.

Subject line

[Location] — Mid‑century Loft, 14ft Windows, Rooftop Deck | Day‑rate + Availability

Email body

Hello [Name],

One-liner: I’m reaching with an available production-ready location — [Property Name], a [style] [type] in [neighborhood/city] with [key features].

Availability & rates: Available [date range]. Standard day rate: $[X]/day (includes basic crew parking + power access). Weekend and overtime rates apply.

Production essentials: Easy 2-door load-in (ground floor / elevator), dedicated crew parking for 2 cars, 200A power distribution point at garage, fast Wi‑Fi, and a movable blackout curtain. Non‑exclusive staging areas available.

Usage & permissions: Available for photo, commercial, and digital spots. Owner-provided release available; insurance required (certificate of insurance + $1M general liability).

Visual package: Hero image + 360 walkthrough + floor plan attached. See a 60‑sec virtual tour: [link].

Previous productions: Hosted editorial shoots, music videos, and an influencer campaign (list examples). Happy to connect you with past producers as references.

Next steps: If this is of interest, I can send a tentative booking calendar and a location agreement template. Are you scouting for dates [X–Y]?

Best,

[Your name] — [Property Host / Location Owner]

[Phone] • [Email] • [Link to visual pack / listing]

Key visuals every production brief expects

Make it frictionless for a location scout to say “yes.” Include these assets in every pitch packet.

• Hero shot: wide angle, the main frame that tells the set’s story (best light, no clutter). For tips on staging and lighting that read well for big TV tie-ins, see Make Your Listing Oscar‑Ready.
• Plan view / floor plan: annotated with dimensions, ceiling height, door widths, and stairs/elevator access.
• 360 walkthrough / short video: 60–90 seconds showing load-in route, key set pieces, power panel, and drive/parking access.
• Detail stills: 6–8 images of texture and props — kitchen counters, fireplace, window treatments, unique art, wallpaper, stairs.
• Lighting photo: same shot at night with practicals and any built-in mood lighting to show color temperature options.
• Exterior & street: curb, alley, and nearest parking options; note permit needs for street closures.

Production checklist: What producers will check first

Think like a location manager. If you can answer these before they ask, you move to the top of the shortlist.

Pre-booking (must-have answers)

• Availability calendar (blocked dates for cleaning, long-term guests, personal events).
• Day rate and overtime policy; cleaning fee and refundable security deposit.
• Insurance acceptance and required limits (typical: $1M general liability; $2M aggregate for bigger shoots).
• Load-in route, door dimensions, stairs/elevator details, and weight limits for upper floors.

Pre-production (what to expect after initial interest)

• On-line location agreement or short-term location license (sample terms: time window, permitted uses, hold harmless clauses).
• Detailed crew list and estimated call times; confirm parking & arrival windows.
• Staging areas for gear and catering; identify areas off-limits.
• Power needs: if producers need >200A you’ll need a generator pad / outdoor access or to arrange vendor-supplied power.
• Permits required for exterior filming (city permits vary — provide links if you know local rules). For a practical operational playbook on permits and inspections, see the Operational Playbook 2026.

Day of shoot (operational checklist)

• Host contact & emergency backup (location manager’s on-call number).
• Keys, gate codes, or lockbox access arranged in advance.
• Parking cones or signage for reserved spaces — include a small map showing curb access and nearest permitted parking; mapping tools for micro-pop-up orchestration can help (micro-map orchestration).
• Trash and recycling plan; designated catering area.
• Damage walk-through: note pre-existing marks with photos and signatures.

Post-shoot

• Final walk-through for damages and signature.
• Return of deposit terms and timeline.
• Right to use produced stills: negotiate whether the producer shares images for your marketing.

Rates and negotiation (2026 benchmarks)

Rates vary wildly by city and production scale. Use these 2026-informed benchmarks as a starting point — adjust for unique features (waterfront, rooftop, historic architecture, permitted exteriors).

• Editorial/Small Commercial Photoshoot: $300–$1,000/day.
• Commercial Video / Branded Social Spot: $1,000–$5,000/day depending on city and exclusivity.
• High-production National Campaigns (e.g., streaming platform hero spots): $5,000–$30,000+ per shoot day, often including location buyouts for multiple usages.

Important negotiation points:

• Usage fees: negotiate separate fees for regional, national, and global usage (especially for streaming or broadcast).
• Exclusivity: if the brand wants to lock down your aesthetic, charge an exclusivity or blackout premium.
• Cancellation & rescheduling: include a sliding scale deposit refundable only under defined conditions.

Sample short creative brief producers will ask for (fill this out and attach)

Producers often send a creative brief. Pre-fill one on your listing so they can see you understand production needs.

Creative Brief — Property Summary

• Property name & address:
• Type & style: (e.g., 2-bed loft, industrial modern, Victorian parlor)
• Dimensions: square footage, ceiling heights, door widths
• Power: main panel location and accessible amperage
• Load-in notes: step-free access, elevator available, stairs (number of steps)
• Nearest parking: on-site + street + permit needs
• Available rooms for basecamp/craft services:

Key visuals & staging ideas inspired by Netflix’s tarot spots

Netflix’s tarot campaign succeeded because every set piece amplified a single concept. You don’t need an animatronic — but thinking like that production will make your pitch stronger.

• Single-frame hero: Stage one dramatic image that frames your unique asset (arched window, vintage staircase, neon sign). This becomes their hero shot for key art.
• Modular vignettes: Provide versatile areas that can be redressed quickly — a blank wall that becomes a fortune teller backdrop, a dining table that becomes a product display.
• Practicals & mood lighting: Show how your built-in lighting changes the mood (warm practicals, dimmable LEDs). Producers love built-in looks that save grip time.
• Design props kit: Offer a small host-curated prop kit (mirrors, vintage rugs, neutral furniture) for a flat fee to speed up set dressing — for pop-up gear and promoter workflows, see Night Promoter Workflow: Gear That Keeps Pop‑Ups Moving.

Safety, legal, and trust-building (what separates casual listings from production-ready locations)

Production teams prioritize risk management. Demonstrating you understand this builds trust.

• Insurance: Require a certificate of insurance listing you as additional insured when appropriate.
• Health & safety: Provide an emergency exits outline, nearest hospital, and permit contacts for pyrotechnics or stunts.
• Neighbor & building rules: Share condo rules, quiet hours, and any limitations on parking/load-in.
• Damage & restoration: Have a clear restoration clause and a documented pre-shoot condition report.

Day-of tips to make a production love your location

• Be punctual: have a host or trusted point person on-site at call time — producers run on tight schedules.
• Provide clean, clearly labeled staging spaces (garage, basement, or unused bedroom).
• Keep practicals accessible: show where extension cords can run without tripping hazards.
• Offer a simple catering corner: table, running water, trash bin, and basic dishes reduce friction.
• Be flexible: quick on-the-fly permission for a small wall hang or furniture move can make or break a shot.

Case study: How thinking like a production turned a loft into a streaming campaign set

Late 2025, a Brooklyn loft with exposed brick and a rooftop sign listed as a short-term stay. The host proactively created a production pack: dimensions, a 360 tour, power info, and a prop kit. A creative agency scouting for a streaming platform noticed the hero shot and invited the host to pitch. After negotiating usage and a one-day rate with a small exclusivity fee, the loft was used as a vignette in a global campaign. The production paid market day rates, covered a restoration deposit, and shared high-resolution stills the host used to re-list the space at a higher premium.

Bonus: Quick checklist to attach to every listing (one-page PDF)

• Hero image (wide) — attached
• Floor plan with measurements — attached
• 360 tour link — attached
• Primary contact & backup phone
• Parking & load-in details
• Insurance minimums & sample agreement
• Available dates & blackout calendar

Final pitch polish — three rapid checks before you hit send

1. Remove personal items and clutter from all photos; producers must imagine the set as blank canvas.
2. Label images with useful file names (e.g., Loft_Hero_14ftWindow.jpg).
3. Double‑check power and access details — nothing kills momentum faster than an unknown SF power panel.

Future predictions: Where location rentals and brand shoots are headed in 2026–2027

Expect these trends to shape bookings through 2027:

• Brands will continue to favor locations that support mixed media outputs — a single day of shooting producing hero film, vertical edits, and shoppable stills.
• Augmented reality and virtual production scouting tools will become mainstream for pre-visualization; hosts who provide 3D scans/LOD photos and rich walkthroughs will win more bids.
• Sustainability and energy efficiency (carbon offsets, EV charging) will be part of RFPs; offering green amenities will be competitive advantages.

Wrapping up: Your 5-minute action plan to start getting campaign inquiries

1. Create a one-page production pack (hero shot, floor plan, 360 tour). Use tools and templates like the Micro‑App Template Pack to assemble assets quickly.
2. Set clear rates and insurance requirements and include them in your listing description.
3. Prepare a short, customizable pitch email using the template above.
4. Build a small props kit and a night/look image to show mood versatility.
5. Reach out to local location houses and add your listing to at least one location platform used by agencies; consider hybrid open-house and appointment-first strategies to attract scouts.

Call to action

Ready to turn your rental into a booked set? Upload your production pack, get a free pitch review from our location team, or download the printable one-page checklist to attach to your listing. Brands are looking for spaces that make high-production shoots simple — make yours the obvious choice.

Related Reading

• Make Your Listing Oscar‑Ready: Staging & Lighting Tips
• Portable Power Station Showdown: Field Guide for Hosts
• Operational Playbook 2026: Permits & Inspections
• The Live Creator Hub: Edge Workflows & Multicam
• Audit Your Travel App Stack: Cut the Noise, Save Money, Travel Faster
• Assessing Risk: How Lower-Cost PLC NAND Could Affect Torrent Data Integrity and Retention
• How Marathon Could Change PvE Loot Design: Lessons From Destiny and Other Loot Shooters
• Seller Playbook: How to Prove Authority Across Social, Search & AI When Selling a Viral Asset
• Home Arena Setup for Esports: Router Placement, Monitor Choice and Lighting Tips