City Guide Filming in Avondale, AZ
Production Permit Fees
- Permit Application Fee: N/A – the special events office does not charge anything for permit application
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability: $1 million
- Worker’s Compensation: As per state requirements
- Automobile Liability: $1 million for “owned,” “non-owned,” or “hired”
- Aviation Insurance Coverage: $5 million
- UAS/Drone Insurance: $2 million
- Product Liability Insurance: $1 million
- Liquor Liability Insurance: $1 million
Additional Permits
- Police & Firefighter Monitoring: Organized by the special events office
Discounts
About Avondale
Avondale has seen a boom in its residential and commercial capacity and has long hosted film production crews from all over the USA. Not much was worthy of attention in Avondale going back a century. The city has shed its farming community past and emerged as a significant urban center adjacent to Phoenix with many public attractions and a striking cityscape.
The dry and hot climate is one of the major defining features of the land, and this adds to the allure and uniqueness of the city. And you won’t be the first filmmaker walking into the streets; many Hollywood production crews have chosen the city as their venue for projects like Days of Thunder, Rediscovering Christmas, Farewell Darkness, Taxi, Blood Moon Rising, Thor's Hammer, The Getaway, The Whistler, The Virus, and Middle Men.
Not only does the city boast several iconic filming locations dotted all over the place, but also generally lenient local filming laws. This means you can get all that a budding filmmaker could wish for here! Hold your horses; you should acquaint yourself fully with the filming guidelines in Avondale to ensure the whole process goes smoothly. The laws may be light, but there still are some restrictions and requirements for you to consider before heading to the city for your project.
When you need to find the perfect film shoot location for your project, rely on the thorough collection of filming locations in Avondale at Giggster. You’re guaranteed to find the right fit!
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Avondale?
Whether you're planning to film in public or on private property, you'll need a permit from the local government, as is the case with every special event to be arranged in the city. You can review the filming guidelines in Avondale through the city's website or contact the Department of Special Events for more in-depth info. However, all filmmakers are obligated to get permits for their activities if any public property is involved or if the people in the community are affected, even if indirectly. This means that filming on private property will not exempt you from having to acquire a permit.
Special Event Liquor License
if your film production involves liquor (as part of a scene, for instance), then you’ll need special permission to serve liquor (and liability insurance coverage as well).
Pyrotechnics/Special Effects Permit
if you plan on using fire-based special effects, gunfire, explosions, and similar effects for your film project – if so, advance notice to the local police department is mandatory. You'll also have to ensure complete fire safety.
Animal Control Permit
if your film production involves any animals that can cause property damage or injury to a passerby, you’ll have to keep them under check and get an animal control permit from the local animal control department.
Aircraft Permit
this applies when you plan on using helicopters and aircraft as part of your film production efforts, especially if there’s going to be a low-flying aircraft (you will also have to conduct a local survey in this case); additional liability insurance coverage will also be needed.
UAS/Drone Filming Permit
drone filming or the use of UAS for film production is only allowed in special cases, and you’ll have to assure the local authorities that you won’t invade anyone’s privacy; additional liability coverage will also be needed.
Permit Management in Avondale
Special Events Office
The special events office of Avondale manages all permits for special events, including film production in the city. They are primarily responsible for issuing filming permits in Avondale and can be reached at the City of Avondale, 11465 W Civic Center Dr. However, you don't necessarily have to visit them for your permit application. Instead, you can also try the online portal for your application. Alternatively, you can download the special event permit application form, fill it in manually, attach all the relevant insurance coverage documentation, and submit it to the address. Credit card payments are accepted for any fees.
You'll also have to mention whether or not your filming activities will involve elements like fireworks, explosions, gunfire, and similar special effects. Also, if any city services are needed, you must mention that as well on your permit application, and for any details you want to highlight, be sure to mention them on the page titled "Event Narrative," which has a blank box for you to fill out all relevant information. Also, be sure to ask for a sample insurance form from the Special Events Office for your reference to get your details right. The application processing is free, but fees will be charged for any city services requested, such as street closure and traffic redirection.
What Insurance Do I Need in Avondale?
One of the perquisites for film production activities to be allowed in any city is having the required production insurance coverage. Insurance coverage ensures that you won’t have any troubles with liability claims if anything goes south amid filming. While your script may not carry a sizeable risk with it, it is still essential to have insurance coverage to avoid any fallback on yourself or the city. You’ll have to reimburse any party hurt or damaged during the film production.
If you can’t meet any of these requirements, you’ll need to explain in writing why you can’t meet the requirement to the Office. They will determine if the shoot can go ahead without the necessary insurance.
Note that these requirements are minimum requirements. Larger and more complex shoots may require additional insurance which will be determined by the Office.
What Kind of Filming Locations Are Available in Avondale?
Besides the flexibility and accommodation offered by the filming laws in Avondale, you also have access to some of the most iconic, spacious, and well-lit filming venues. Parks and public spaces are not for all, or at least don’t serve all purposes for any film project. Instead, you’ll inevitably need to look for a private space with a vast interior and perfect contrast. One example is the local fitness studio, which is highly functional and comfortable and has high-impact black rubber flooring. If any private workout sessions or martial arts demos are to be filmed, this would be the ideal spot for ensuring maximum space for the crew, ample lighting, and perfect contrast for the frame.
To enjoy a shower of warm sun rays while filming, why not go for any lovely grassy, private, and fenced-in yards available as a film location? As for residences, you can find everything from a cozy cottage to an expansive home or modern apartment.
If you’re into themed filming venues, Avondale has ranch-style properties perfect for you. Not only is the space loaded with elements of nature, including a vast open green space, but it also ensures that you won’t face any troubles from anyone.
Avondale is not short on options for filming your next project, whether you need indoor space, an outdoor venue, or a combination of both. Giggster can help you pick the most premium filming locales based on the specific needs of your script!
For larger areas to film in, Avondale is home to the Phoenix Raceway, Estrella Mountain Regional Park, and Wigwam Golf Club for that perfect green space.
Special Requirements in Avondale
Filming At Avondale School District
The Avondale School District houses four traditional elementary schools and is central to the educational framework of the city. Filming in the school premises is allowed but only conditionally, and you'll most probably have to schedule it so that you don't disturb the students, ideally during the summer holidays or vacations. You must discuss premises availability with the school board, share all your anticipated filming activities with them to give some perspective on what to expect, share your insurance coverage documents ($1 million in general liability and worker's compensation insurance are needed), and then secure the school's permission to be allowed to film here.
Filming At Local Parks
The city of Avondale is dotted with parks and recreational green spaces that you can choose as filming venues, but only once you’ve secured the city’s permission and submitted your application for filming there at least 10 business days in advance. And even then, you might not get exclusive access to the park.
Some of the most iconic parks in the area include Las Ligas, Fred Campbell Park, Mountain View, Dessie Lorenz Park, Festival Fields, and Friendship Park. And once you get the city's approval, the rest of the process is the same – liaise with the special events office to get your permit and arrange for any city officials needed on the filming site.
Filming At The Goodyear Farms Historical Cemetery
The Goodyear Farms Historical Cemetery houses the final resting places of many workers of the Wigwam Resort and Goodyear Farms, and also the victims of the 1918 Spanish Influenza — the latter are resting in mostly unmarked graves. You’ll have to get special permission from the City of Avondale to film here — once you secure the permission and satisfy all insurance requirements, you can file for a filming permit with the Special Events Office. Do keep in mind that if permission is issued, it will be on the city's terms, not yours, and permission is not guaranteed.
Filming At Monument Hill
Monument Hill is another iconic landmark in the city and holds immense historical importance as well since it is the point from where the Public Land Survey System kicked off. Filming at Monument Hill will again require you to secure special permission from the city's government owing to the site's historic and iconic importance. The rest is again the same – after getting the government's permission, you can file your application for a filming permit with the Special Events Office, submit evidence for your insurance coverage, and get started.
Filming In Nearby State Parks In Arizona
All state parks are managed by the Arizona State Parks & Trails, and special events such as filming are allowed. But you’ll first need to get the approval of the department (for the specific park you plan on visiting) for filming at the state park.
First, you’ll need to share all the filming activity details with the park management, and once you get their approval, you can begin filming per their terms and conditions. General liability insurance coverage of $1 million minimum will be needed, plus you’ll also have to pay for entry and parking privileges — the park might also require you to hire some officials by the hour as monitors for your filming activities.
What Does it Cost to Film in Avondale?
As per the filming regulations in Avondale, you’ll have to compensate the city departments for any services rendered during the film production. There are no fees for the film permit issued by the Special Events Office, but the cost of hiring local officials is decided for each application, depending on the exact need of the film production.
Additional Fees
Considering that the permit is free, the additional costs don't hurt much. Plus, this is the only way of doing things legally, and it's best to do it by the book to avoid any trouble.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Avondale?
The geographical limits of Avondale are important as they are a tangible indicator of where the filming laws in Avondale are applicable. Overall, the city covers an area of 48 square miles, mostly land with variable elevation. To the north, the city's boundaries are marked by Litchfield Park. To the east, Tolleson and Phoenix form the city’s boundary, whereas Goodyear covers the western boundary. The southern part of the city accommodates the Gila River, which then merges with the Agua Fria River.
Outreach in Avondale
You’re obligated to notify all affected residents about your filming activities, anticipated disturbances, if any, road closures (and alternative routes), filming schedules, and contact information, as per the Avondale filming laws. This must be done at least five days before the shoot, but the earlier, the better.
You're not required to do any local survey before starting your film production, however, if your script demands elements that may cause an excessive disturbance, you'll have to reach out to the locals and conduct a survey before being able to go through with such activities, such as using a low-flying aircraft, or filming in the same neighborhood for several consecutive days. Be sure to ask the Special Events Office if a local survey is needed in your case.
Community Management in Avondale
The community in Avondale delivers a suburban feel, and there’s a mix of people from all walks of life. Overall, the people are welcoming and are no strangers to having film production crews around, but won't take lightly any constant disturbance.
It is best to reach out to any affected residents and assure them that you'll do all you can to minimize the disturbance and noise (if any). Also, the people here are very conscious about their privacy, so it's best for you never to violate this redline, especially if you're using drones for filming, as is required by the filming guidelines, anyway.
Overall, there isn’t much for you to stress over if you stick by the rules.
Conclusion
Avondale may not be the first name that pops to mind when you're brainstorming a list of film-friendly cities in Arizona, but it surely does tick all the boxes. Not only are the filming guidelines in Avondale precise and easy to follow, but policy-wise, the city can easily be defined as film-friendly. With many indoor and outdoor filming locations, some of the most premium residential spaces available for film production, and purpose-built studios, the city has much to offer filmmakers from all over. The unique, dry, and desert-like atmosphere of Arizona adds an unparalleled flare to the city.
All in all, Avondale offers the full package — lower restrictions, a greater variety of filming venues, and, most importantly, a vibrant filming atmosphere. With Blood Moon Rising, Thor's Hammer, and The Getaway capturing the best the city offers and earning acclaim and success on the big screen, who is to say that the same won't be true for your cinematic masterpiece?
Feel free to film in public and private venues tailored to your needs for the best impact. Plus, you don’t even have to pay for the permit application processing; the only costs the city will ask of you will be for any services rendered (other than the issuance of the film permit). The local departments are not only fully acquainted with the routine, having been involved in numerous projects so far, but show a genuine willingness to participate positively and help you in all capacities.
As for picking the most suitable filming venue, you've got nothing to worry about there! Giggster will help you choose some of the most exclusive and recommended locations.