Los Angeles, California, has "main character" energy, and its starring roles in "Pretty Woman," "L.A. Confidential," and "La La Land" back this statement! Everything about the city showcases its A-list status; it comes across prominently from its position near the San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica Mountains, and the Pacific Ocean.
There's plenty to do around L.A.; you could go to the beach or visit the "world's happiest place," Disneyland. People from 140 nations create the city's diverse population, and the food and other aspects reflect the cultural influence. The city of Angels has distinct landmarks impacted by its American, Spanish, and Mexican roots.
You'll spot Spanish Revival and Art Deco architecture around Hollywood. The Art Deco buildings transport you to the charm of the '20s and '30s architectural designs. Explore the Art Deco locations in Los Angeles for your epic film production or period-themed photo shoot.
Like the best in fashion, we have Paris to thank for giving us Art Deco architecture. The building style came about in the 1910s and its popularity peaked in the '20s and '30s. The Art Deco architecture started appearing in Los Angeles around the same time, displayed through the Eastern Columbia Building, Griffith Observatory, and Southern California Edison, to name a few. The city has numerous merits that make it the best backdrop for Art Deco-inspired projects and events:
Art Deco Architecture
Art Deco architecture infiltrated Los Angeles in the 1920s and 1930s before the post-Great Depression Streamline Moderne style took over the mantle from the '40s to '50s. The city has numerous Art Deco buildings, including the James Oviatt Building and Grand Central Market on S Olive St. An Art Deco structure presents the perfect backdrop for street fashion shoots and other creative projects.
Key Figures in Art Deco History
Gustave Albert Lansburgh shaped the West Coast theater and luxury cinema landscape from 1900 to 1930, designing the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium. Josh and Donald Parkinson, a father and son duo, ran an architectural firm that designed the City Hall building and other Deco architecture. Marcus Priteca designed some downtown Los Angeles theatres, and others across the country, for vaudevillian impresario Alexander Pantages. Their contributions to the Art Deco landscape can give you inspiration for your project.
An Established Filmmaking Industry
Hollywood is home to one of the country's biggest film studios, Paramount Pictures. Filmmaking is the city's largest revenue earner and has structures to support various production activities. You'll have the best experience working on an Art Deco production with assistance from the city's professionals.
Accessibility
It also helps that L.A. is accessible from/to Long Beach, North Hollywood, San Pedro, Austin, and other nationwide areas via the Metro Rail system. You can conveniently move your crew and cast around without worrying about travel-related production delays.
You've explored Art Deco architecture and have a better understanding of what setting suits your production. The striking building style will enhance the cinematic appeal of your project but filming in such a setting requires some thought. Los Angeles has several film and photography professionals who can step in to help you produce compelling results.
Tiger House Films
A production company in Los Angeles is the equivalent of an event planner, but they handle much more to transform your vision from idea to visual format. Tiger House Films provides detailed and creative production services, and they can connect you with talented cast and crew members. They can produce your commercial, drama, or documentary in an Art Deco structure with terra cotta construction, mural-covered walls, and glass elements.
Production Hub
This Long Beach collective comprises a network of local and global film vendors and crew members. They can connect you with a video editor, cameraman, or director for your project. Production Hub also runs casting notices and sells and buys used film equipment.
Omega | Cinema Props
Enhance the energetic and ornate styles of the Art Deco movement using props. Omega |Cinema Props supplies commercial, institutional, and residential lighting, furniture, and accessories. They provide custom fabrication services and have extensive Floral and Linen departments.
The Los Angeles Central Library, the Heinsbergen Decorating Company Building, which used the old City Hall bricks in its construction, and the Million Dollar Theater on Broadway are listed on the National Register of Historic Places lists. The Art Deco Society of Los Angeles and LA Conservancy lead preservation efforts to advance the significance of Art Deco buildings. Plan compelling film productions and creative events with these details about Art Deco structures.
Art Deco Movement
The Roaring Twenties gave birth to the Art Deco movement at a time when everything was louder. The history of the striking building style is in France; it began in the 1910s and gained traction internationally, with technological development. Post World War II and leading into the Great Depression, building styles shifted to the minimalistic Streamline Moderne design.
Art Deco Architecture
The power of Art Deco architecture in Los Angeles is in the details! Walls with sleek lines, glass, marble, a coffered ceiling style, murals, and stainless steel are widely considered characteristics of the construction design. Most Art Deco buildings are light-filled structures with reinforced concrete constructions and interior and exterior terra cotta walls. Art Deco structures took over the Los Angeles landscape after the city overturned its early 1900s land and zoning laws restricting structural height.
Examples of Art Deco Locations in Los Angeles
The Eastern Columbia Building, the Clock Tower Building in Santa Monica, the Donald Parkinson-designed Memorial Coliseum, and the LA Conservancy are examples of the city's Art Deco buildings. Several civic buildings, educational institutions, and company headquarters feature the style, including the Bullocks Wilshire Department Store owned by the Southwestern Law School, and Los Angeles Jewelry Center.
Productions and Events at Art Deco Style Locations
Los Angeles has commercial buildings with geometric shapes and theater houses featuring intricately decorated interior spaces. Art Deco-inspired structures in Los Angeles are among the best Hollywood film settings. Use an office space with exterior walls covered with murals for street photo shoots. Rent an art gallery displaying a collection of terra cotta sculptures for creative events.
Los Angeles is one of the most fascinating places to attend an event. Take a deserved break from looking for Art Deco locations in Los Angeles to attend one of the city's annual events.
Academy Awards
Every film industry professional aspires to win an Oscar, and it isn't a surprise that "The Entertainment Capital" has the honor of hosting the prestigious awards ceremony. A fun fact is that the Oscar statuette is rendered in Art Deco style and depicts a knight! The Dolby Theatre, formerly the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, hosts the annual event.
Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration
The Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration puts a spotlight on Black history and culture. It commemorates June 19th, 1865, when General Gordon Granger led Union soldiers to Galveston, Texas, to live their lives as free men.
LA County Fair
The Los Angeles County Fair Association hosts one of the country's largest fetes in late summer. Its inception in 1921 unfolded as an agricultural fair but has since transformed and includes concerts, acrobat shows, and wine tastings.
Dia de los Muertos
Los Angeles celebrates the Day of the Dead on the first Saturday in November. Dia de los Muertos is an event observed throughout Mexico and brought to the United States by populations of immigrants. Friends and loved ones gather for the multi-day event to honor the departed.
There's no better way to explore Art Deco architecture than by strolling the streets of Los Angeles. The city's colorful neighborhoods showcase the best Art Deco style and might guide you to befitting production locations.
Downtown Los Angeles
The city's central business district has the greatest concentration of Art Deco buildings, including the Los Angeles Jewelry Center, Central Library, Bullocks Wilshire Department Store, and Griffith Observatory. Enjoy a day of fun at the Santa Monica pier, 30 minutes from DTLA.
Hollywood
Hollywood is the glitzy neighborhood in Los Angeles, where you can rub shoulders with celebrities or trace in their footsteps on the famous Walk of Fame. Visit the Hollywood Museum and TLC Chinese Theatre, or enjoy the street performances.
Los Feliz
A hillside neighborhood, the Santa Monica Mountains are part of Los Feliz. The 181 steps, dubbed Barendo Stairs, on your ascent to Griffith Park and the Greek Theatre are the neighborhood's highlights. Los Feliz Hill, below Griffith Park, houses the area's multimillion-dollar residences and Laughlin Park is an exclusive gated community featuring the Italianate W.C. Fields.
Westwood
Westwood is a commercial and residential LA neighborhood, encompassing Holmby Hills, famous for housing the Playboy Mansion. The Holmby Hall clock tower is an example of an Art Deco structure in the area. The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) is also in the neighborhood.