The Monica Cupboard: Your Hidden Ally for Shoot Location Success

Here at The Shoot Academy, we’re all for promoting the idea of a 'Monica Cupboard' when preparing your home as a shoot location. Fans of Friends will remember Monica’s secret 'cupboard of shame' - despite her famously neat and tidy nature, this cupboard was where she stashed all the clutter. And, when it comes to getting your home shoot-ready, this tactic can be your hidden ally, too.

We understand that your home doesn’t need to look like a perfectly staged show home to attract production companies. In fact, many TV and film production companies love the 'lived-in' look. So, before you think about making every room spotless, remember - authenticity is in demand, and that makes your home even more attractive as a filming location.

Why a 'Monica Cupboard' Works

The film and photography industries are constantly searching for unique, authentic spaces that feel real, not overly polished. While a certain level of tidiness is necessary, you don’t need to spend hours meticulously decluttering. This is where your 'Monica Cupboard', or even a 'Monica Room', comes in handy - stowing away the unnecessary, giving the appearance of a neat and ordered home without too much effort.

The best part? You don’t need to spend hours perfecting your space. A quick tidy up, chucking stuff behind a handy closed door, can save time and energy, allowing you to present a home that’s ready for the camera without unnecessary stress. By clearing away clutter in just minutes, your property can easily become a highly desirable shoot location for TV, film, and photoshoots.

Finding the Balance

At The Shoot Academy, we advocate for an approach that works for you. Whether you lean towards a naturally organised space or rely on clever quick fixes like the 'Monica Cupboard', what matters is that your home is functional and attractive to potential clients.

Our flagship course, Becoming a Shoot Location Host, offers effective decluttering and styling techniques, but we also recognise that perfection isn’t the goal - action is. Taking the steps that make sense for your situation is what counts. The idea is to create a space that feels welcoming and suited to shoots, not a show home. From pre-shoot preparation to making your property appealing for film shoots or TV productions, we cover it all.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re preparing your home for shoots, don’t let clutter or a sense of 'it’s not ready yet' hold you back. The 'Monica Cupboard' approach is just one example of how to manage your space without overthinking it. And if you want to explore more ways to make your home shoot-ready with ease, we’re here to guide you.

Sign up to our flagship course, Becoming a Shoot Location Host, today, where we teach you everything you need to know about setting up and running your home as a successful - and happy - location shoot for TV, film, and photoshoots. Whether you’re looking for extra income or simply love the idea of seeing your home on screen, this side hustle can be incredibly rewarding.

We look forward to seeing you on the other side!