Find Film Shoot locations for rent in Malibu, CA

About Malibu

Malibu, with a population of 12,000 covering 20 square miles, is located 21 miles west of Downtown Los Angeles. This famous beach city is in Los Angeles County with the Mediterranean-type climate of Southern California. The Malibu coast consists of 10 public beaches and parks within the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area.

This area was opened to development in 1926. The most famous district, Malibu Colony, is the original residential district that attracted Hollywood wealth. This private enclave of vacation homes became the wedge between the residents and the Union Pacific Railroad in its attempts to acquire land under eminent domain for a coastal rail line.

The high profile and the wealth of the Malibu citizens forced the Union Pacific to divert its line inland and turn back toward the coast through Ventura. The film shoot locations in Malibu reflect the wealth along the coast and inland in the canyons by way of architecture and scenery.

Film Shoot Location Options in Malibu

The film shoot locations offered in Malibu for rent are typically by the hour. The choices range from residential settings typical of the Southern California coast to working ranches in the canyons and to open commercial spaces for stage settings. The chances of having a coastal backdrop from any outdoor location are excellent.

• Staging
  The products and services necessary for a film shoot location are offered in Malibu and nearby Los Angeles. This category includes contract labor, grips, catering, and furniture/equipment rental. The rental services can be augmented by design talent for the stage and lighting plans.
  
  
• Catering
  Of the services needed for a film shoot, the most scrutinized is the catering. Catering to a shoot location is an art form in and of itself with specific serving detail and coordination. It is a benefit to have catering companies serving Malibu to specialize in serving a film location.
  
  
• Permitting
  The City of Malibu requires a permit for all commercial film shoots. Under no circumstances is filming allowed on Sundays. Because of the high demand for film locations sought in Malibu, there is an office within City Hall dedicated to the film industry to obtain information and the requirements of filming within the city limits.

Film Shoot Location Companies in Malibu

The filming industry has a positive effect on Malibu for economic investment and exposure. The pool of ancillary businesses supporting the film industry runs deep in West Los Angeles County. There is no better place to locate these service companies to meet this high demand. The wage investment and job creation brought to the local economy will strengthen the position for tax incentives and grants to the project.

• Production HUB
  Malibu is served by this solution-based system to complete the film shoot team and any needed stage set services. This resource is the film industry’s clearinghouse of listed companies serving all aspects of the hiring of crews to the renting of equipment.
  
  
• Malibu Films
  This Malibu-based company provides the talent for every aspect of a film shoot. These services are broken down into three areas of filming: pre-production, production, and post-production. The talent provided by Malibu Films for any of these service areas is considered experts in their respective fields.
  
  
• Bite Catering
  This Los Angeles-based company is considered the go-to caterer for any film set. The chefs and staff enjoy a good reputation and understand the workings of a film set. The menu and the service are customized to meet the timetable of the shoot and the expectations of the set crew.

Pros and Cons of Film Shoot Locations in Malibu

There are pros and cons to every task and project. The management of the effects of a project takes insight and patience. The list below is a suggestion of important facts to consider for a film shoot location in Malibu.

Advantages

• California tax credit program
  There are new guidelines under this program to even the field of competition between production companies. The budget caps and the lottery system have been eliminated. All film projects will be selected on certain ranking criteria for specific production categories.
  
  
• Climate
  The weather in Malibu is influenced by the Pacific Ocean. Marine cooling holds temperatures within a moderate level throughout the year.
  
  
• Local support of the film industry
  When seeking a film shoot location and the supporting services in Malibu, it will be evident that the residents and the city officials are supportive. The film industry is a main economic driver next to tourism and consumer spending.

Disadvantages

• Competition
  The Malibu area is highly competitive for the film industry in the seeking of locations and the cost of doing business. The competition between production companies for locations will be aggressive, and this competition will drive prices high.
  
  
• Transportation
  The mode of transportation to Malibu is not necessarily a disadvantage; the disadvantage is the lack of choice. The only practical mode, but not the cheapest, is a private car.
  
  
• Wildfires and Mudslides
  The Malibu area does fall victim to these weather disasters. The clay slopes of the canyons in the rainy Winter can produce mudslides. The dry underbrush and the winds in the summer can produce wildfires.

Famous Locations in Malibu

• The Malibu Calabasas Wine & Food Tour
  This five-hour open-air bus tour takes visitors through the canyons, shopping districts, and the Malibu Lagoon. Lunch and beer/wine are included in the price. The tours are limited to 10 people and favorable weather is required. The guide company is licensed as a limousine, and this allows for the serving and consuming of adult beverages during the tour.
  
  
• El Matador State Beach
  The El Matador is popular with both residents and tourists. The beach is located 10 miles up the coast (West) on Highway 1. This area of the coast comprises a number of pocket beaches and all will be crowded in the Summer. Advanced planning is required as COVID capacity limitations remain in place as of this writing.
  
  
• Los Angeles Private Tour
  A private tour through the iconic sights of LA is the best choice for visiting these sights. The driver is experienced with traversing the traffic and the live commentator will give the history and interesting anecdotes of each sight. The stops during the tour include the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, celebrity neighborhoods, and the Santa Monica Pier.