City Guide Filming in Brentwood, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: To be determined by FilmLA
- Film Permit Application Fee: $863 (As low as $33 for students)
Minimum Insurance
- Commercial General Liability of at least $1,000,000
- Auto Liability of at least $1,000,000
- Evidence of Workers’ Compensation per the requirements of the State of California
Additional Permits
- Police and Fire Requirements: Filmmakers are responsible for reaching out to the Fire and Police Departments to obtain approvals where necessary.
Discounts
About Brentwood
The neighborhood of Brentwood in the Westside region of Los Angeles between Santa Monica and Westwood is an unassuming destination for filmmaking. Not long after modern development commenced in this neighborhood in the late 19th century, the production of motion pictures started here. Some of the earliest movies shot in this neighborhood date back to the first decade of the 20th century.
As Brentwood started to embrace the glitz and glamour of the production industry, a movie theatre was built in the area. Although initially named Hollywood Theatre, the theatre was subsequently renamed Brentwood Theatre after the neighborhood (it is in present-day Westwood). While in operation, numerous films were hosted here, including Gone with the Wind, My Fair Lady, and ‘Singin’ in the Rain. Today, the building has been converted for other business uses, but not before it brought so much fame for films to the neighborhood.
Brentwood is home to stars in the movie and entertainment industry. It also features beautiful locations suitable for various commercial production, from outdoor locations to office buildings, shops, malls, a museum, and residential apartments.
Some of the projects shot in Brentwood include The Addams Family (1991), Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), American Beauty (1999), American Crime Story (from 2016), The Golden Girls (1985–1992), Thor (2011), Cruel Intentions (1999), and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). This suburban neighborhood awaits you, so find the location that suits your production needs in Brentwood using Giggster.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Brentwood?
Under Brentwood filming regulations, you do not need to apply for a film permit when filming for personal use. Go about your activities and ensure you do not disturb the public.
However, if you wish to film in Brentwood for commercial reasons, you must get a film permit from FilmLA before proceeding with commercial production in the neighborhood. It doesn’t matter whether your production is scheduled on public property or private property — you’ll need a film permit regardless.
Moreover, there is room for students to also engage in filmmaking activities in Brentwood. The permit management agency in Brentwood issues student film permits for such production.
Permit Management in Brentwood
FilmLA
The agency that manages film permits in Brentwood is FilmLA. As a result, if you wish to apply for a permit to shoot a movie, TV series, music video, student production, or commercial, your first port of call is FilmLA. Besides issuing film permits for Brentwood, FilmLA also offers other services. As a filmmaker, you can get information about previous productions in Brentwood from FilmLA and get answers to budget questions. FilmLA will also share information about how to work in any area with special conditions for filming.
A simple film permit for Brentwood takes about three business days to process. More complex film permits, however, may take as long as seven business days (e.g., productions involving special effects or road closures). As a result, if you wish to film in Brentwood, you must apply for the permit no later than three business days before the filming date. An application may take more than seven business days to process, so you should apply for your film permit as early as possible to avoid disruption to your filming schedule.
Before applying for a permit in Brentwood, find a location that suits your needs in the neighborhood (Giggster comes in here). When you have settled on the location(s), secure insurance in line with the production insurance requirements of Brentwood. You can apply for the permit online and pay the required fees. You should also conduct outreach in the area(s) affected by your filming activities.
As soon as FilmLA receives your application and supporting documents, it will be assessed to ensure everything is in order. FilmLA will assign a Production Coordinator to your project. All correspondence regarding your permit will be with the Production Coordinator. If there is a need to fulfill other requirements because of the nature of your production, you will be duly informed. Such additional requirements could be:
Carrying out a filming survey in the filming location
Getting additional approvals or permits from external agencies like the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, LA Fire Department, or LA Police Department
Using a FilmLA Monitor
Paying some additional fees.
As for students, there is a process for obtaining permits for student filmmakers in Brentwood as well.
What Insurance Do I Need in Brentwood?
For you to be able to shoot any kind of commercial production in Brentwood, you must provide insurance that is in line with the requirements of FilmLA. Additionally, FilmLA advises that you first reach out to their office to discuss your filming plans with their designated insurance specialist before you purchase insurance.
According to Brentwood filming laws, you must provide insurance that covers commercial general liability of at least $1,000,000; auto liability of at least $1,000,000; and aircraft liability of at least $5,000,000. Furthermore, you must show evidence of workers’ compensation that aligns with the requirements of the State of California. If you need to provide more than the stipulated amounts for your production, FilmLA will inform you.
Another production insurance requirement in Brentwood is that you must include FilmLA and the County of Los Angeles as additional insured on the certificate of insurance. If you have any concerns or inquiries relating to production insurance in Brentwood, reach out to FilmLA.
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 Brentwood?
Brentwood is home to several residential districts that feature different family homes, lots, apartments, and mid-century architectural style residences that are perfect for use in commercials, feature films, and television shows. The streets in the neighborhood areas are also great for setting up stages. One standout street in Brentwood is San Vicente Boulevard, with its large coral trees. If you want to see architectural masterpieces in the neighborhood, check out George Sturges House and Paul R. Williams’ Hunt Residence.
Brentwood is also unique for its open spaces, parks, and natural areas. There’s also Crestwood Hills Park and Sullivan Canyon Park, which are open to filming activities. From here, you can also easily access recreation areas and parks such as Will Rogers Historic State Park, Getty View Park, and Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park.
The commercial areas in Brentwood offer good opportunities for filmmaking too. Production teams can easily adapt the restaurants, coffee shops, clothing stores, and office buildings in the neighborhood to their needs when looking to portray such settings in their work.
Special Requirements in Brentwood
Los Angeles Unified School District
If you wish to film in any of the public schools in Brentwood, you need to comply with the requirements of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The first step is to reach out to the LAUSD filming liaison for the school that you intend to film at to confirm the availability of the school and review the details of your film project. Thereafter, you will complete the LAUSD license application and submit it to FilmLA at least four business days before the date you intend to commence filming.
Here are some other things you require before you can film in schools managed by the LAUSD in Brentwood:
A FilmLA film permit;
Approval from the LA Fire Department;
A FilmLA Monitor on hand for the entire duration of filming;
A certificate of insurance that lists LAUSD and FilmLA as additional insured. Submit it to FilmLA and ensure that it covers the following:
Commercial General Liability of at least $2,000,000;
Auto Liability of at least $2,000,000;
Proof of workers’ compensation according to statutory requirements.
As for the cost of filming on LAUSD property in Brentwood, these are some of the fees:
Refundable deposit - $500 per day;
Basic filming rate - $3,500 for 15 hours;
$350 for 4 hours for students;
Half-day filming rate - $1,750 for 6 hours;
Overtime rate - $140 per hour;
$70 per hour for students;
Custodial rate - $40 per hour;
Overtime parking/storage fee - $1,000 per day
Brentwood Park Area
If you wish to film in the Brentwood Park Area, there are some special requirements that you must comply with in addition to the general filming requirements of the Brentwood neighborhood. These special requirements are highlighted below:
Reach out to the representative of the Brentwood Park Homeowners Association via phone or email to discuss the on-site logistics for your production as soon as possible before you commence filming or set preparation;
Notify the affected residents at least two days before the first day of set preparation or filming;
Provide off-street parking for all personal vehicles as parking on streets is not allowed for personal vehicles;
Park equipment vehicles on only one side of the street. This is strictly prohibited on the north side of San Vicente Boulevard;
Provide all members of the cast and crew with ID badges that must be worn at all times;
Filming is allowed only between 7 am and 10 pm; therefore no arrivals and departures are allowed outside these periods;
Weekend filming is not allowed;
A FilmLA Monitor will be assigned.
Getty
If you wish to film in the Getty Villa Museum or Getty Center, contact the Center via email. Any request for filming must be made at least three weeks before the intended date of filming. Some of the things you will need to obtain approval to film in Getty include a signed location agreement and license agreement, among others.
Crestwood Hills Park
Crestwood Hills Park is managed by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, so the approval to film is from FilmLA in conjunction with the Park Film Office. Contact the Park Film Office to make a reservation for Crestwood Hills Park at least three business days before the date of filming and ensure you have a FilmLA film permit too.
In addition to the FilmLA fees, here are some other fees for filming in Crestwood Hills Park:
Film use fee of $450 per day;
Film prep/strike of $150 per day;
Crew parking fees per day;
1 to 15 cars - $100;
More than 16 cars - $300;
A base camp fee of $450 per day;
Park Monitor fee of $38 per hour;
Administrative fee per monitor - $76 per day.
What Does it Cost to Film in Brentwood?
Certain costs are associated with filming in Brentwood, starting with the film permit application fee. For these services, you will be responsible for paying the fees directly to the billing agencies.
Additional Fees
The majority of the fees go to FilmLA; however, some other charges are billed by the external agencies that offer their services during production.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Brentwood?
Brentwood lies at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains and is bordered to the south by Wilshire Boulevard, on the east by San Diego Freeways, and on the north by Mulholland Drive. Sullivan Canyon/Westridge Trail lies west, while Santa Monica lies to the southwest. Other adjoining municipalities include Westwood, Pacific Palisades, and Bel Air. Holmby/Westwood FilmLA manages the film permitting process for the neighborhood of Westwood, so all the general requirements hold. However, there are some special conditions that you must comply with if you wish to film in Westwood. These are highlighted below: Notify the Holmby Westwood Property Owners Association well ahead of filming; Notify the residents that will be affected by the production at least two days ahead of the start of filming. The list includes those within 500 ft of the filming activity and those within 150 ft of all equipment parking Do not leave any engines running while vehicles are parked Use one central generator for all motor homes/trailers Have an LAPD officer on hand for public safety during production Cast and crew must park their vehicles off-street A FilmLA Monitor will be assigned during production. Pacific Palisades FilmLA receives all film permit applications for Pacific Palisades and sets the general requirements for the neighborhood. However, the unique requirements for filming here are highlighted below: FilmLA uses a series of unique criteria to assess film permit requests e.g., historical use, company size, and the proximity of concurrent filming activities. Notify affected residents at least two days before filming is set to commence Food-related services and equipment are not allowed on parkways or sidewalks and must be out of public view Weekend and holiday filming is not permitted Production equipment can only be parked on one side of the street Remove trash and refuse from the filming location immediately after production is complete; Confine lighting to where it is needed in particular Include prep and strike days on the permit A FilmLA Monitor will be assigned. Bel Air Special filming conditions in Bel Air are as follows: Notify residents within 500 ft of the production activity at least two days before the start of filming; Notify the Bel Air Association (phone or email) ahead of filming Avoid parking large vehicles on streets as they are narrow and winding Consume meals in areas out of public view Keep noise from generators to a minimum. Westwood Village Improvement Association Area There are special filming conditions in effect in the Westwood Village Business Improvement Association Area: Notify affected residents, businesses, or merchants within 500 ft of production activities, including equipment parking at least two days ahead of filming Contact the Westwood Village Improvement Association Area at least two days ahead of filming; Crew and cast members shall eat on private property The homeless should only be helped through the service providers in the area; Reduce the posting of “No Parking” signs to a minimum A FilmLA Monitor will be assigned. Will Rogers State Beach FilmLA processes film permits for Will Rogers State Beach. However, there are general film permit conditions and special filming conditions for this State Beach. The special film permit conditions are prepared by the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors: Contact Gladstone’s for approval before using the beach in front of Gladstone’s All equipment must be at least ten feet away from the bike path It is possible to obtain an exception for amplified sound after 10 pm Fly cables over bike path Vehicles or other equipment are not allowed on the turf. Will Rogers State Historic Park The California Film Commission (CFC) issues film permits for Will Rogers State Historic Park. The first step is to contact the Park Film Coordinator to clarify park availability and other relevant details. Complete and submit the permit application at least four business days before the proposed filming activity. Thereafter, the CFC will send an invoice for the production review which you must pay before your permit is issued. Permits are subject to review by the Deputy State Fire Marshall. If required, a local Fire Safety Officer may be assigned to the production. The production insurance requirement for Will Rogers State Historic Park is as follows: General liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence Workers’ compensation according to State law Endorsement of the State of California as an additional insured. Filming fees in Will Rogers State Historic Parks include: Permit review fee for simple productions - $65 per day Permit review fee for complex productions - $200 per day Peace Officers/Ranger fee - $79 per hour (6-hour minimum); Maintenance monitor fee - $56 per hour (6-hour minimum) Park Aide - $29 per hour (6-hour minimum) Park interpreters - $55 per hour (6-hour minimum). Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area To film at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, complete the permit application and send it via email at least ten business days ahead of filming to the NPS Office for review. If your production will include the use of generators, pyrotechnics, and hot lights, submit a Fire Safety Advisor Application to the LA County Fire Department In some cases, a refundable performance bond or cash deposit may be required before filming; Filming is not allowed on weekends or government holidays Comply with County health guidelines Administrative costs may be charged Additional documents may be required for complex productions
Outreach in Brentwood
FilmLA takes care of the outreach requirements that Brentwood filming laws require. As a result, you can rest assured that if you apply for the permit within the stipulated time and it is approved, the residents and businesses that will be affected by production will be duly notified of the proposed filming activity.
However, if your production is set to take place under conditions outside of the normal filming conditions, you must conduct a filming survey in the vicinity of filming and secure the consent of the residents and businesses that will be affected by such production. Examples of such special conditions include filming for an extended duration or during late hours, having road closures, or needing extended production parking.
Community Management in Brentwood
One of the best ways to ensure that you have a seamless production experience in Brentwood is to make sure that the community members have the contact of a designated member of your production team that they can reach out to whenever they have concerns or suggestions about your activities. That way, you can get information first-hand and manage any situation as soon as it arises before it blows out of proportion. Having direct contact with the host community through public channels like forums and meetings also helps foster a good relationship with the locals.
Conclusion
Film production started in Brentwood around 1910, and the neighborhood has kept its reputation as a great place for filmmakers to practice their craft. With the help of FilmLA, you can easily secure a permit to film in Brentwood. What you need to do is find the location that suits your needs, secure insurance, apply for the permit, and pay the associated filming fees. If you need to meet any additional requirements, FilmLA will let you know. Otherwise, the beautiful filming locations in this suburban neighborhood in Westside LA await you and your production team!