Where do actors stay while filming on set?
Exploring the accommodations and arrangements actors use during their time on location
(By Tonya Tannenbaum)
(Photo: Joel Filipe | Unsplash)
On-location Lodging: The Basics of Where Actors Stay
When it comes to filming a movie or television show, the question of where actors stay is often overlooked in favor of more glamorous aspects, like the red carpet and premiere events. However, the reality behind the scenes is that accommodations for actors are as varied as the productions themselves. Whether filming in a city, on a remote location, or in a studio lot, actors’ lodging needs to accommodate their comfort and convenience while balancing the demands of their work schedules.
Actors often stay in hotels, rented homes, or even on the sets themselves. While some prefer the privacy of their own space, others might live closer to the set to ensure they are easily accessible during filming hours. The type of lodging provided largely depends on the production’s budget, the location of filming, and the actor’s level of fame. Larger, more established stars may receive five-star hotel accommodations, while lesser-known actors might share rental houses or apartments.
The Role of Location: Does the Filming Location Impact Actor Accommodations?
The location of a film or TV shoot plays a major role in determining where actors stay. Filming in big cities like New York or Los Angeles often offers actors access to luxury hotels or high-end rentals due to the availability of high-class accommodations. These metropolitan areas are home to many entertainment industry hubs, so actors can take advantage of a range of options, from boutique hotels to private luxury estates.
For remote filming locations, however, accommodations may not be as luxurious. In these cases, actors are typically housed in rented homes or properties near the filming location. In some extreme cases, such as shoots in deserts or forests, actors may stay in trailers or temporary housing set up on location.
Example: In the filming of The Revenant (2015), actors like Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy spent much of their time in remote areas of Canada, where temporary accommodations were set up close to the harsh environments in which they filmed.
Luxury Accommodations for A-list Actors
Big-budget productions often ensure that A-list stars are comfortable and well-catered for during their time on set. These actors might have access to luxury hotels, private villas, or five-star resorts, complete with a variety of amenities such as personal chefs, gym facilities, and security personnel. Actors might also receive concierge services, ensuring that their stay is as smooth and luxurious as possible.
Example: For the production of The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), Leonardo DiCaprio stayed at a luxury resort in Italy, where he had access to top-tier accommodations. Similarly, many stars working on large-scale productions opt to stay at hotels or rentals that provide a higher level of comfort.
The Importance of Privacy and Security for Actors
While luxury is certainly an appealing factor, privacy and security are among the most important considerations when it comes to actor accommodations. Celebrities are often the target of paparazzi and fans, and as such, they require accommodations that offer a high level of privacy.
Many actors opt for private homes or rented estates with secure entrances, hidden from public view. For example, large estates with high walls, gated entrances, and extensive grounds allow actors to feel safe while still being close to the set.
Example: When filming Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018), Tom Cruise stayed in a private villa in the picturesque town of New Zealand. The villa was equipped with an extensive security system to ensure the actor’s privacy during his stay.
Filming on Set: Do Actors Ever Stay in Trailers or On-Site?
In some instances, actors may stay directly on the filming location in trailers or small on-site accommodations. These are more common for productions filmed in remote locations, where transport time to a hotel may be impractical or impossible. Set trailers are custom-built to provide actors with a private space to rest between scenes, often equipped with comfortable amenities, such as beds, bathrooms, and couches.
For long-term shoots, these trailers often become a “home away from home,” providing the actor with all the necessities they need without the need to leave the set. This arrangement is especially common for actors working on TV shows or movies that require extended stays in one location.
Example: On the set of Game of Thrones, actors such as Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington spent months at a time filming in remote locations, where they stayed in trailers designed to offer a home-like environment.
The Use of Hotel Blocks for Large Casts
On larger productions, where many actors are involved, a hotel block or multiple rooms may be reserved for the entire cast and crew. In these situations, the actors might not have individual, private homes but are instead housed together in a designated section of a hotel. This arrangement is often seen in films with large ensemble casts or shows that film in a central location for an extended period.
The hotel block provides convenience for the production, as it allows the crew to easily coordinate travel and accommodation logistics. For the actors, it can also create a sense of camaraderie, as they are staying near each other, which may foster stronger relationships on and off set.
Example: During the filming of The Avengers (2012), the cast stayed in a hotel block in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This allowed actors like Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and Chris Hemsworth to stay close to each other while working on their scenes together.
Special Arrangements for Foreign Filming
When filming takes place abroad, actors’ accommodation arrangements can become more complex due to different countries’ cultural norms and availability of resources. In these cases, actors may stay in high-end international hotels or be provided with rental properties that meet their specific needs.
Special arrangements may also be made for actors traveling to less-developed countries, where luxury accommodations may not be as readily available. Productions often go the extra mile to ensure that the actors’ living conditions are comfortable and secure.
Example: For the production of Skyfall (2012), Daniel Craig stayed in a luxurious hotel in Istanbul, Turkey, to ensure his comfort while filming key action scenes in the city.
Staying Close to the Action: Why Convenience is Key
One of the key factors in deciding where actors stay during filming is the need for convenience. The faster an actor can get from their accommodation to the set, the less time they spend traveling and the more time they have to prepare for their role.
For this reason, many productions opt to secure housing near the set or filming locations. In some cases, this may involve providing actors with accommodations in nearby cities or even on the lot where the production is filmed. These arrangements help to ensure that the actor is always ready for their next scene.
Example: In the case of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the cast often stayed in nearby Wellington, New Zealand, in order to stay close to the set while filming the epic fantasy series.
Conclusion: Actor Accommodations Are More Than Just Comfort
The accommodations provided for actors during filming are as varied as the productions themselves. While some actors prefer luxurious hotels and private homes, others may spend time in trailers or even on the set itself, depending on the filming location and nature of the production. Ultimately, actors’ stays are tailored to meet their needs for privacy, convenience, and comfort, ensuring that they are ready to perform at their best, whether on location in a bustling city or in the wilds of a remote setting.
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