Film Locations Glossary
Restoration
What is restoration?
Also called making good, or reinstatement.
Restoration is returning a location to the condition recorded before the production arrived, covering repainting, replanting, repairs, cleaning, and the removal of everything brought in.
It is a contractual obligation in the location agreement, not a courtesy, and it is measured against the condition report. Restoration is also the last thing on a wrapped production's mind, which is exactly why it is budgeted and scheduled rather than left to goodwill.
Example
Restoration on a private house is repainting a hallway from the period color back to the owner's, replanting two borders, cleaning, and removing every cable clip. It is measured against the condition report and budgeted, not left to goodwill.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
A contractual obligation in the location agreement, executed during strike days.
Common mistake
Treating restoration as goodwill at the end of a wrapped shoot. It is a contractual obligation measured against the condition report, and it needs budget and scheduled days.
Related questions
- What does location restoration involve?
- Repainting, replanting, repairs, cleaning, and removing everything the production brought in, returning the site to its documented pre-production condition.
- What happens if a production does not restore a location?
- The deposit is withheld, a damage claim follows, and the relationship and often the neighborhood are closed to future productions.