Los Angeles, California, is home to the country's filmmaking hub: Hollywood. Besides its rich history in cinema, La La Land has endless lists of Art Deco buildings influenced by its Mexican, American, and Spanish roots. Art Deco architecture features prominently around the city, best displayed by commercial buildings and company headquarters like the Los Angeles Jewelry Center and the Southwestern Law School-owned Bullocks Wilshire Department Store.
To take a brief walk down memory lane, Paris birthed the Art Deco movement in the 1910s. It's a decorated building technique featuring reinforced concrete, terra cotta walls, geometric patterns, murals, and clean lines. The architectural style arrived in LA post World War II before the Streamline Moderne styles took over during the Great Depression.
The architectural style is widely considered a cinematic tool; the collections of Art Deco locations in Los Angeles provide backdrops for photoshoots and film productions. Set the gears for your pre-production by exploring Giggster's listings of Art Deco structures.
Gustave Albert Lansburgh designed the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium. Josh and Donald Parkinson ran an architectural firm responsible for creating the City Hall building. Marcus Priteca is the brains behind many downtown Los Angeles theater buildings. Giggster curates Art Deco structures in LA, simplifying finding a mural-clad production backdrop across DTLA to Santa Monica and Long Beach!
Are you looking for a production setting with Art Deco architecture decorating its interior and exterior walls? Filming in a venue with two staircases, crown molding, or stainless steel details will increase visual interest.
Book a tastefully designed mansion for your next production or photoshoot. An Art Deco estate with terra cotta-like walls and a marble floor can elevate your shoot. Attention-grabbing features like a grand piano, wine cellar, pool, or fire pit can enhance your project.
Does an arts and crafts marvel with murals and Streamline Moderne vibes describe the production backdrop you are looking for? Giggster can connect you with an estate that fits the bill. Choose a venue with an open floor plan, a soaring ceiling, or a stainless steel kitchen to bring out the Art Deco aesthetic.
Giggster can help you enter a penthouse once occupied by famous names in downtown Los Angeles. A venue near the world-famous Eastern Columbia building and Broadway would instantly add to your production value. Pick a venue you can flexibly use as an event location or office space setting.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Giggster lists Art Deco buildings that match or rival the LA City Hall, James Oviatt Building, Griffith Observatory, or Bullocks Wilshire Department Store! Find an Art Deco structure that meets your needs, with listings starting at $20/hour, across Hollywood to Beverly Hills and Long Beach.
Hassle-Free Booking: Customize your search and browse hundreds of Art Deco architecture listings. Once you've explored to your satisfaction, book your best production backdrop without a fuss.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Giggster has a 24-hour cancellation policy, giving a grace period to adjust your booking after confirmation. You can cancel as long as the booking is made at least 48 hours before the film or photo shoot.
Platform Protections: Mishaps are the last thing you want to deal with in a space with Art Deco architecture. Book places like Blue House w/ the Green Door - Pool/HotTub/85"TV and back it with add-on liability insurance covering injuries and damages.
On walking tours, look for the S Olive St. Grand Central Market, the Clock Tower building in Santa Monica, and the Eastern Columbia Building. The inspired style can give you references when searching for Art Deco locations. Giggster can help you find an ideal Art Deco location, but it's best to know what you are signing up for and how to solve different challenges.
Advantages
The sun shines almost throughout the year, and the lovely conditions are an asset for filmmaking activities. The weather makes exploring LA's outdoor spaces worthwhile; most Art Deco venues are locations with a view.
The City of Angels is a filmmaking hub, housing the headquarters of top film studios like 20th Century. The star-studded community and pool of professionals can help you staff your production.
Whether traveling from San Pedro, Long Beach, or Austin, Los Angeles is a central location! Hence, Tinseltown is the best destination for projects with team members flying in from far and wide.
Disadvantages
You'll need film permits if your project requires shots of public spaces and historic places. Long application processes can create filming delays.
LA has congested streets and noise challenges created by the scores of constantly visiting tourists. The spillage affects production locations near public spaces and the city's top attractions; you might need crowd control and professional sound recording equipment.
Traffic congestion is a challenge if you are filming in different locations around the city. Parking is also a problem; your best bet is to book conveniently located production settings.
The Central Library also deserves an honorable mention because it's on the National Register of Historic Places. Giggster can connect you with an Art Deco-style video or photo shoot location, and you can use these ideas as inspiration.
Mansions – Content Creation. Art Deco mansions are ideal content creation backdrops. They feature interior/exterior terra cotta walls, a coffered ceiling style, stainless steel, and marble floors.
Castles – Wedding Photos. Castle-style buildings are dream wedding venues, and they produce beautiful photos. Set on sprawling tracts of land, they usually have different buildings, including a tower, offering varying photoshoot backdrops.
Hotels – Commercial Shoots. Historic hotels feature Art Deco construction, making them ideal backdrops for commercial shoots. Distinct features like geometric patterns, sleek lines, and glass translate well on the screen.
Theaters – Plays. LA's Broadway, stretching between Olympic Boulevard and 1st Street, has several Art Deco-style theater buildings, most of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. Host your rehearsals, auditions, stage performances, and video shoots in the city's playhouses.
Lofts – Photoshoots. Lofts are an asset to photo shoots and other production activities. The spaces have several Art Deco features, like reinforced concrete walls, stainless steel details, and glass.
The Art Deco Society collaborates with the LA Conservancy to preserve and advance the development of Art Deco architecture. It's why you'll spot Art Deco buildings all around town, from the glamor shops lining the LA Fashion Street to commercial buildings. Once you've chosen a perfect production space, use these tips to enhance your Art Deco photo or video shoot.
Learn about the Property – Every Art Deco structure has a fascinating history that can enrich your project. The Los Angeles City Hall and the downtown theater buildings are examples; Giggster can connect you to similar history-rich locations, like Blue House w/ the Green Door - Pool/HotTub/85"TV.
Visit the Location – Schedule a site tour to see if the property works for your project before committing. Plan a test shoot to address lighting and sound issues, and have crew members present for these location recces.
Highlight Art Deco Architecture – Harness the power of murals, terra cotta, sleek lines, and glass; frame them in your shots. These Art Deco details offer guidelines for searching for production locations.
Customize your Project – Art Deco buildings are different; some highlight the construction style more than others. Work with the venue to personalize your shoot, planning shoots based on whether the details are inside or outside.
It's well-known that Los Angeles is expensive, especially when planning a production against an Art Deco backdrop! These cost-saving measures can help you produce a quality Art Deco project without breaking the bank.
Many LA mansions mirror Art Deco architecture and are more budget-friendly. Estates are more accessible and have a lower risk of costly damage when filming in such settings.
The Golden Age of cinema used pronounced lines, color contrasts, and curves to define Art Deco motifs. The filming style centers the background in the frame and drives the story by showing the shift of power, as seen in "The Wizard of Oz" and "Grand Hotel."
In most cases, you'll rent filming locations affordably when they are less busy; it means scheduling your shoot during weekdays rather than the weekends.
Art Deco is in—and so are our multiple locations, ideal for creativity! Book the best location on the Giggster app and start your next production.
