About Culver City
One cannot think of a more appropriate location to rent production space than Culver City, California, the origin and impetus of the production industry. Culver City boasts a population near 40,000, encompasses five square miles in Southwest Los Angeles County, and is known as the “Chelsea” of the LA area. The re-birth of the Downtown area, the local businesses supporting the sectors of film and television production, and the lower cost of doing business make Culver City the obvious choice.
The revitalization of Culver City’s Downtown core has brought it the distinction of being one of the best cities in California and the best food in the LA area. When compared to surrounding cities and neighborhoods in Southwest Los Angeles County, Culver City has an abundance of choices in theater, museums, and recreation enjoyed by residents and tourists. Many of the locations of the production and the sound stages are located within the lot of the iconic MGM Studios, established in 1924, now home to Sony Pictures.
Production Space Options in Culver City
The largest economic driver in Culver City is the television and film industry. The local talent provides a myriad of services and products to this business sector for pre-and post-production support, editing, and digital media. The genres of animation, music video, and infomercials are in close competition with the traditional production styles.
- Staging
The products and services in this category include contract labor, set designs, grips, crews, and catering. These ancillary companies are locally owned and located in Culver City and you should have no trouble finding exactly what you need.
- Catering
Of the production service options, the most scrutinized is catering. Food services for a movie, photo, or television set is an art form in and of itself with specific serving detail and coordination.
- Equipment Rental
There is a multitude of local companies offering rentals of equipment and fixtures for technical and special effects, live streaming, lighting, and A/V, supplemented with the design talent. The contract labor for the setup and the breakdown of the equipment and furniture can be included within the rental scope as an additional service.
Production Space Companies in Culver City
The pool of ancillary businesses supporting the production industry runs deep. There is no better place to locate these companies than Culver City where the evolution of production began. That makes a Culver City production space a great idea no matter what you are shooting.
- The Production HUB
This resource is the production industry’s clearinghouse of listed companies serving all aspects of producing, staging, editing, the hiring of crews, and equipment rental for all genres of the end product. Culver City is served by this solution-based system to complete the production team and the stage set.
- Reel Chefs Catering
This company specializes in catering to production sets in the traditional style. Reel Chefs understands the importance of a schedule and the value of time for its employees and for those working on the set. Whatever menu you have in mind, this catering company crew knows exactly how to prepare, set up, and serve what you need.
- Roaming Hunger
If you are considering a food truck experience due to lack of space or varying work schedules, Roaming Hunger can help. This organization has defined the integration of food trucks catering to the production cast and crew. There is a variety of food choices and of truck styles. The style options can be from the traditional truck or cart to the new trend of pop-ups.
Pros and Cons of Production Spaces in Culver City
There are pros and cons to everything, and it really comes down to the management of expectations and informed decisions. Below is a list of both the advantages and the disadvantages when considering Culver City as a production space location. The list is an attempt to address the important aspects of the time schedule and support of the production, as well as the comfort and recreation for the crew.
Advantages
- Cost of doing business
The cost of doing business in Culver City is less expensive when compared to surrounding areas and cities in the region. Although the costs may be lower, rest assured that the value and the quality of the products and the services are comparable to those at the higher cost.
- Climate
The weather in Culver City is described as Mediterranean-like. The average summer highs are below 80°F, and the average winter lows are in the mid-60s.
- Transportation
An alternative to the congested highway traffic of Southern California, Culver City is served by the LA Metro E Line at Culver Junction. This light-rail commuter train travels East to Downtown LA and West to Santa Monica.
Disadvantages
- Transportation
This category also fits into the disadvantage column due to the need of being comfortable with navigating public transit systems. If visitors to Culver City insist on a private car, then the congested highways are the alternative to urban transport.
- Competition
The demand for production space in Culver City is high. The higher cost of comparable space in surrounding areas makes for a tight market. Therefore, early coordination on the front end of the planning stages is a must, and quick decisions need to be made to secure both the production space and the supporting services.
- Pedestrian challenged
Although Culver City is considered walkable as to connectivity and distance, the city is not considered pedestrian-friendly. One must handle and recognize this interesting dichotomy.
Famous Locations in Culver City
- Baldwin Hills Overlook
This State Park is known to the locals as the “Culver City Stairs.” An elevated, stepped path is built into the hills at the City’s Southwest for a scenic view of greater LA. This park is a must for hiking enthusiasts and history buffs. It is certainly a perfect spot for some photos or film shots.
- The Museum of Jurassic Technology
This museum is located on Venice Boulevard in Culver City in what is known as the Palms District of LA. The exhibits focus on objects of the unknown and questions are posed in curiosity leaving the visitor wondering “What is this place?” The Smithsonian Magazine and the New York Times have dubbed it the “museum of museums.” Visitors must book in advance online.
- Kirk Douglas Theater
This theater showcases local talent and pre-Broadway runs in both experimental live productions and premiers. The Theater has earned its reputation in Culver City as being the most adventurous in allowing the performers to take risks with both talent and presentation. The theater is operated under the umbrella of the Center Theatre Group.
