Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about listing your property on CINERA.

Your Two Options at a Glance

What are my options for listing my property on CINERA?: There are two paths depending on how involved you want to be. Self-List ($14/month) — You create your own listing using our step-by-step registration process. You upload your own photos, describe your property, set your availability and pricing preferences, and manage inquiries yourself. It's straightforward if you're comfortable taking your own photos and writing your own description. Hire a CINERA Scout — A professional location scout visits your property, photographs it to industry standards, and creates your listing for you. You choose from two packages: the Standard Package ($824) covers 30+ professional photos with a 7-day turnaround, and the Premium Package ($1,748) adds drone aerial photography, twilight/golden hour shots, and 50+ photos with a 5-day turnaround. Payment is collected only when the scout confirms your booking — you are not charged at the time of request.
Which option is right for me?: If your property has strong visual character and you want it presented professionally to major productions, hiring a scout is worth the investment. Production companies review dozens of locations — professional photography and accurate documentation significantly increases the likelihood your property gets selected. If you have a compelling property and good photography skills, self-listing is a perfectly viable starting point and you can always upgrade later.

Self-Listing Your Property

What does the registration process involve?: The registration walks you through seven steps: creating your account, entering your property location, adding property details, describing features and style, setting availability and pricing, reviewing the license agreement, and submitting. Most owners complete this in under 30 minutes.
What photos should I take?: Cover all major rooms, all exterior angles, and any distinctive architectural features. Use natural light where possible, shoot in landscape orientation, and make sure spaces are clean and uncluttered before photographing. Productions are looking for the bones of a space — they will imagine it dressed differently — so honest, well-lit photos matter more than staged perfection.
Will my exact address be visible to the public?: No. Your exact address is only shared with verified production companies after you approve their inquiry. Public listings show only the general area. You control who gets your precise location.
What is the $14/month fee for?: It covers your active listing on the CINERA platform and the Film Commission network, making your property discoverable by professional scouts and production companies working in your region. You can cancel at any time.
Can I edit my listing after submitting?: Yes. You can update photos, availability, pricing preferences, and property details at any time through your owner dashboard.

Hiring a CINERA Scout

What is included in the Standard Package ($824)?: A professional scout visits your property for approximately two hours, captures 30+ high-resolution photos covering all major rooms and exterior areas, handles professional editing and colour correction, and creates your complete property listing. Delivered within 7 days of the shoot.
What is included in the Premium Package ($1,748)?: Everything in the Standard Package plus 50+ photos, a 3–4 hour session, drone aerial photography where permitted, twilight and golden hour exterior shots, and multiple angles of all rooms. Delivered within 5 days. This package is recommended for larger properties, distinctive architecture, or acreages where the surroundings are part of the appeal.
When do I pay?: Payment is collected only after the scout confirms your booking. You will not be charged when you submit your request.
What do I need to provide when booking a scout?: You'll provide your property address, property type, preferred dates and times, access instructions (gate codes, parking, who to contact), and any notes the scout should know in advance. The more detail you provide, the smoother the visit.
Can I be present during the photography session?: Yes, and it's encouraged. You can point out features the scout might miss and answer questions about access. The scout will typically take about 15 minutes to walk through before beginning to photograph.
What if I'm not happy with the photos?: Discuss any concerns with the scout directly. Professional scouts take pride in their work and most issues can be resolved quickly. Contact support@cinera.ca if you need assistance.

What Happens After Your Property Is Listed

How will productions find my property?: Your listing becomes searchable to location scouts and production managers on CINERA and through the local Film Commission network. Scouts can also find your property when searching for specific location types that match an active production brief.
What happens when a production is interested?: You'll receive an inquiry through your owner dashboard with details about the production, the proposed shoot dates, and what areas of your property they'd need access to. You review the inquiry and decide whether to approve or decline. Nothing moves forward without your explicit approval.
Am I obligated to accept any inquiry?: Absolutely not. You review every inquiry and decide whether it's right for you. You can ask questions, request more information, or simply decline if it isn't a good fit.
How is my location fee determined?: You set your own pricing preferences during registration. The final fee is negotiated directly between you and the production company once they express serious interest. Your listing helps set expectations, but everything is confirmed through a formal location agreement.
What is a location agreement?: A legal contract between you and the production company that specifies exactly what they're permitted to do, which areas they can access, how long they'll be on site, how many crew members are expected, restoration obligations, insurance requirements, and your compensation. Never allow a crew on your property without a signed agreement in place. You are entitled to have a lawyer review it before signing.
Is my property covered if something is damaged during a shoot?: Professional productions carry production liability insurance and are contractually obligated to restore your property to its original condition. Document your property thoroughly before any crew arrives — photos and video of every room and surface they'll access. If damage occurs, notify the location manager immediately and in writing.

General Questions

Who will see my listing?: Verified professional location scouts, production managers, and film commission staff. Your listing is not visible to the general public.
Can I remove my property from the platform at any time?: Yes. You can deactivate your listing at any time from your dashboard. If you'd like your property and data removed entirely, contact hello@cinera.ca.
My property isn't in a major city — is it still worth listing?: Often more so. Productions frequently seek rural properties, small-town main streets, farms, acreages, and distinctive regional settings that are difficult to find through standard channels. If your property has character and is within reasonable driving distance of a production hub, it absolutely has value.
I have more questions — who can I contact?: Reach us at hello@cinera.ca for general questions or support@cinera.ca for technical issues. We're happy to help you figure out which path makes the most sense for your property.

Still have questions? hello@cinera.ca for general enquiries or support@cinera.ca for technical support.