With the scenic mountain views and sunshine-soaked beaches, not to mention hip and happening downtown LA, it's no wonder that Los Angeles is a dream location for filming and photo shoots. After all, this city is the home of Hollywood and various renowned filmmakers. But what about when you want a more dark and gritty space to shoot something more menacing?
For indoor shoots, you've got old mansions that are half falling down, dark and abandoned, and full of both dirty windows and tons of history. Or, you have the rundown ranch in the middle of nowhere with its rustic barns and unkempt grounds. For the outdoors, don't hesitate to take advantage of a massive concrete rooftop with a brilliant view of the LA skyline. The shattered windows and open concrete beams certainly lend a dilapidated look to the space to make it edgier and help you tell stories.
You can find these sorts of locations at a variety of budgets on Giggster, whether it's a home still under construction or a dirty alleyway featuring graffiti walls. Browse through Giggster's easy-to-navigate site and find a property straight out of your vision!
Giggster's curated venues in Los Angeles are sure to provide some spectacular shoots. We guarantee that you won't be disappointed and that you'll come out of it with some brilliant photographs!
Why Choose Giggster for Dilapidated Locations in Los Angeles
There's a reason that Los Angeles is so popular when it comes to photo shoots of any kind. Looking for a particular kind of atmosphere? Don't worry, we've got a space for you.
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If it's for an indoor site with spooky vibes that you're going for, check out an abandoned Victorian mansion with dirty wooden floors and an attic straight out of a horror movie.
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On the other hand, you can go for a more grungy look with a neglected rooftop. Uninterrupted views of the LA skyline combine with graffiti walls and construction pieces that are not in working order to make for a fascinatingly versatile space.
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Another place that can compete with the above for a spectacular filming location? Book an apocalyptic-style ranch in the middle of the desert, surrounded by broken barns and fences.
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One of the spookiest locations that we can offer you is a Gothic-style dollhouse with ugly furniture and a neglected garden that resembles a jungle more than anything.
38 Amazing Dilapidated Locations in Los Angeles
Exceptional Variety & Quality: If you're looking to do a video shoot or take some photographs, you're sure to find a space on the Giggster site. Giggster's 38 listings have the perfect indoor or outdoor space to suit your needs!
Hassle-Free Booking: Perfectly user-friendly with filters that you can use to narrow down your search, the Giggster site allows you to book the venue at just $38 USD/hour with great convenience.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Even after you find the perfect space, an emergency may crop up. But we're flexible and our cancellation policy means you can cancel within 24 hours of booking confirmation, provided the booking is made at least 48 hours before the event.
Platform Protections: Additionally, you'll be pleased to learn that we have optional protection packages! We'll help you book the perfect property like Abandoned Vintage Apartment (1970s) while ensuring protection from damages and liabilities.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Los Angeles for Dilapidated Locations
Los Angeles, home of Hollywood as it is, might be the perfect place to schedule photo shoots and other such events. However, there definitely are some pros and cons which might influence your choice of property.
Advantages
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The beautiful landscape of Los Angeles and the versatile nature of the city means that there are plenty of quirky places to film in. Whether an indoor or outdoor site, Los Angeles is sure to have one.
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Even if you can't find the dilapidated space that you had in mind, Los Angeles has plenty of studios that you can book. You can just rent some aged furniture and simulate the kind of atmosphere that you want with ease.
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One thing the city doesn't lack is production-related businesses. It'll be able to provide you with any and all equipment that you don't own yourself.
Disadvantages
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First and foremost, getting around Los Angeles isn't easy, especially downtown LA. If you have to move around between different locations, you'll have to navigate the less-than-stellar traffic.
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Los Angeles is one of the most expensive cities in the US and the more niche your venue is the more hard-pressed you'll be to find it. You'd better be prepared to shell out quite a bit on the space and the equipment.
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Los Angeles does require a film permit if you're doing a video shoot or photo shoot for commercial purposes and getting one takes some effort.
The Best Type of Venue for Dilapidated Locations in Los Angeles
Even the most talented photographers need a great space to really sell the story they're trying to tell. As such, one of the most important aspects of a photo shoot is to find a place that matches your vision. Giggster has 38 venues of great variety for you to choose from.
Ranches – Desolate but Distinctive. Los Angeles has an impressive collection of dilapidated ranches in the desert that no one lives in anymore, which makes them the perfect setting for a particular kind of photo shoot. Throw in the broken barns and acres of uncultivated land all around and a dim twilight scene and they'll evoke emotions of great pathos.
Historic Mansions – Abandoned Luxury. While Los Angeles has more than its share of old mansions, not many of them are left desolate and abandoned. But the few that are have a lot of history and atmosphere to offer! Mostly featuring large rooms with minimal furniture, unkempt gardens, dirty wooden floors, and creepy attics, these mansions are fun to film in!
Rooftops – For Individual Shoots. One of the more lowkey ways that you can get that particular dilapidated and grimy look is to rent out one of the massive rooftops that are available for photo shoots in Los Angeles. The best part? These come equipped with changing rooms and equipment.
Alleyways – Grungy Graffitied Backdrops. For a unique photo shoot, rent out an urban alleyway with graffiti walls, a chain link fence, and grass growing in the cracks. This space, located in the heart of the city, lends itself to a certain kind of industrial, rundown look and is spacious enough for a larger number of people.
Open Air Desert Studio – Depopulated wasteland. Versatile and poignant, the surroundings do a lot of the work for these open-air studios. But of course, with great artists behind the camera, the miles of desert sand, hazy blue skies, and mountain ranges can be transformed into something even greater than what meets the naked eye.
Planning Your Dilapidated Location Photoshoot in Los Angeles
A photo shoot isn't something you complete in one day. It's not as easy as going to your selected site and just taking a picture. It takes some forward planning but by following these steps, you should be able to conduct your shoot smoothly.
Scout Your Location – If you already have a theme and look in mind, then start searching for your location as early as you can. A month in advance is the minimum. Popular locations among Giggster's 38 listings tend to get booked early. Go and scope out the place in person before you book so you can visualize the shots!
Reach Out to Local Businesses – You don't need to have or bring along all your own equipment all the way to LA if you aren't from the city. Instead, you can rent cameras, lenses, lighting, and other equipment from the rental companies that specialize in them.
Apply for Permits – If you're shooting for commercial purposes, you will absolutely need a permit in LA. Any kind of filming you do for TV or public exhibitions, even professional wedding shoots—a permit is needed. And you should apply for these permits well ahead of time.
Timing Your Shoots – The timing of your photo shoot is a question of what you want the finished product to look like. If you're going for a darker, grittier look, then it's better to wait for twilight or before sunrise. Midday gives you brighter lighting but a greater contrast of shadows.
Saving Money on a Dilapidated Location Photoshoot in Los Angeles
When you book a venue and do a shoot in Los Angeles, it's an expensive proposition. But there are ways of cutting costs.
Use rented equipment.
It would suit your budget to rent some lenses and lighting instead of buying brand-new equipment. You can even rent your camera from a rental place in the city!
What is the agenda for the day?
If you need to move between locations, then plan it out in a way so you're not wasting time. Try to keep the locations to a minimum by choosing a versatile space.
Try to use free props.
Some of these event venues come with in-built props. Make use of whatever chain link fences and rundown barns you can find.
Los Angeles Dilapidated Locations with Giggster
Giggster's versatile photo shoot locations guarantee that you will find a site to fall in love with and start filming immediately. Whether you're looking for an old abandoned house in the middle of the city or a barn in the desert that's on the verge of falling to pieces, we've got a venue for you!
