City Guide Filming in Frazier Park, CA
Production Permit Fees
- $65-$200 per day, depending on the production level
- State-owned property site rental: Free
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 California Film Commission
Discounts
- Incentives offered by the California Film Commission:
- Film California First – refunds for certain expenses and site rentals
- Star Program – free of cost site rental for state-owned properties
About Frazier Park
The Mediterranean summers and snowy winters of Frazier Park, CA are no strangers to the pomp and splendor of Hollywood films and shows. Dotted by mountains and pines, the city serves as the perfect filming zone — and has been the host of several production crews for films and television. The population density is low and the atmosphere breathtaking — the summers can be warm but shy away from the hot category, while the winters often bring a blanket of snow to the landscape. Frazier Park is already seen as the ideal getaway location, owing to its mountainous topography, peace of mind, low population density, and numerous cabin rentals among other things.
TV enthusiasts from the 70s would best know the city from its playing host to the cast and crew of The Waltons television show whose first episode aired in 1972. Other than that, movies like Van Helsing, Sugar Boxx, Trucker, and many more were also filmed here. The city has hosted many creative teams who ended by putting together cinema masterpieces, making it the perfect spot for budding filmmakers.
Wondering which locations would be best suited for your film shoot or concerned about the filming laws in Frazier Park? Don’t be, Giggster has got your back!
Take a look at the most premium filming locations in Frazier Park, CA.
Now, on to the rest of your questions!
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Frazier Park?
Filming permits are often required for shooting at various locations, and in many cases, you’ll have to pay some fees and production insurance charges. The actual cost of the permit will be different as it varies with the location itself, the type of equipment being used, stunt preparations, and so on.
However, the regulations here are comparatively lighter than in bigger cities.
You can get a detailed plan for any filing location within Frazier Park, CA from the California Film Commission which is the permit-issuing authority here. Also, you can benefit from the incentive programs they're offering if you’re eligible for them. However, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the Frazier Park filming laws, you can always seek legal guidance and assistance from professionals to get a permit quickly and easily.
Be sure to ask if any waivers and incentives apply in your case since the CFC waives site fees for state-owned properties!
Permit Management in Frazier Park
Permit Management In Frazier Park – California Film Commission
The California Film Commission, often shortened as CFC, is the leading icon of the local film production and entertainment industry. Founded in 1985, CFC has been at the frontier of the filming scene throughout California with great success, bringing the total wage count associated with the industry to $70 billion in the state. If you’re ever confused about any specific filming guidelines for Frazier Park, you can always check out their website for resources (and they do have a ton of them) and answers, or even chat with one of their customer support agents.
CFC also packs a vast repertoire of tools and expertise that can make an impact on your filming experience. Not only do they ensure ease with the production process but also handle things like on-set safety (you won’t have to directly engage with the Fire or Police Departments for this), will hook you up with relevant government agencies as and when needed, and much more. They’ve also worked phenomenally hard to ensure safe production post-COVID, bringing together public health officials and production crews like never before.
CFC currently offers two filming incentive programs – (1) Film California First and the (2) Star Program. The Film California First program allows filmmakers to claim a refund for filming in certain locales and for other filming expenses. The latter allows you to film on state-owned properties free of charge.
Just be sure to check your eligibility for either before getting your permit!
Once you’ve completed all the paperwork and fulfilled the application requirements, submit the same to the CFC at least four business days in advance (discuss the timeline with CFC in advance).
Usually, the permit is given a day before your shooting schedule.
For any special effects involving flammable materials and explosives, a special request must be sent to the State Fire Marshal for review and approval. The fire department will remain on-site to ensure safety during the shooting of such scenes (this will cost you by the hour). You can explore the safety resources at the CFC website to see how they manage different on-set threats during their shoots.
What Insurance Do I Need in Frazier Park?
Even in a controlled environment, such as a filming area, accidents can and do happen – this is where production insurance comes into its own. If you or someone else from the production crew happens to have an accident, the production insurance coverage will take care of their losses. Having production insurance is a necessity for filming (for commercial purposes), and the exact amount of insurance coverage varies from film to film, based on the script, perceived threat (special effects, stunts, etc.), and so on.
You must also have a separate endorsement naming the State of California as additional insured on your policy. Make sure to check the wording required, as it is quite specific.
The production can seek a waiver for the worker's compensation coverage if there are no workers involved. For this, you'll have to fill up an application form (downloadable from the CFC website) and submit it to the permit-issuing authority.
For student filmmaker projects, the school will be responsible for providing proof of insurance; a student certification letter must also be filled out and submitted.
The minimal requirements for production insurance coverage, as per the filming laws in Frazier Park are as follows:
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 Frazier Park?
Frazier Park is home to many visually stunning locales with a unique aesthetic makeup. You can find a ton of indoor and outdoor shooting locations, all suited for various kinds of cinematography. The stunning display of the Forest Filming Ranch, for instance, gives a unique abandoned feel; spread over 40 acres, the ranch provides an ample parking space for up to 400 cars, and a breathtaking scenic makeup, perfect for shooting amidst pine trees, some of which are well over 100 years old.
In contrast to the outdoorsy feel of the ranch, you also have options like Americana houses, one of which was built in 1977 and sports ample natural light in its open floor structure. The stunning display of the indoors is matched equally by the breathtaking backdrop of snow-capped peaks and pine trees in the winter. On top of being perfect for filming, the site also provides all amenities for the crew including WiFi, ample parking spaces, and nearby fast-food restaurants.
Other impressive filming locales include a Mexican-themed bar plus restaurant which also features a stage, a quaint coffee shop with fine furniture but a strict no pets and no smoking policy, a cabin-themed restaurant nestled among impressive pine trees and featuring a gorgeous outdoor patio, an old school cabin that witnesses snow in the winters, and a desert mountain exterior property among others.
You will find tons of outdoor and indoor locales with perfect lighting and aesthetics for filming here in Frazier Park! The striking scenery will present its beauty differently throughout the year – a warm embrace in the summers, and a chilly grip with snow in the winters.
Overall, most of the shooting locales are either cabins, ranches, houses, themed cafes/bars/restaurants or outdoor spots. This in itself delivers a unique "abandoned" (but peaceful) feeling, unlike city squares which are buzzing with activity throughout the day.
Special Requirements in Frazier Park
Filming At Los Padres National Park
State parks such as Los Padres are often selected as filming spots for their dense floral backdrop and the feeling of being surrounded by nature not found elsewhere. Los Padres is spread over a vast expanse, about two million acres, and it is among the largest state parks in California. It features a vast array of vegetation, terrain, and other locales perfect for filming.
For filming, a commercial permit is required and you’ll have to coordinate both with the park authorities and the California Film Commission for this.
Here’s how it works:
· Call the Film Coordinator at the park and ask for the availability of the filming site.
· If you don’t have such contact information, you can get it from the California Film Commission.
· Make sure that the filming site is available for booking for the days you’ve planned to film.
· Once this is done, submit a permit application to CFC.
· This submission must be made at least 4 business days prior to the scheduled shoot.
· Fill in the dates and times for your shoot, alongside the specific details of your production crew in the application; also make sure to disclose information about any special effects or the use of aerial filming, and so on.
· After you’ve finalized the booking, the park will give you a form DPR245A.
· You'll also get an invoice from CFC (some values may be estimated) for your filming.
· You’ll then have to make the said payment (the balance can be cleared after the shoot if the estimated costs were higher or lower than the actual costs).
· Then you’ll get your permit to shoot in the park.
When shooting at a state park, never assume that you've got a permit until you actually do – just because the local staff is willing to let you go ahead and shoot, you can't assume that you have full permission. Only when you complete all the steps highlighted above and get a permit from CFC, can you shoot in the park.
Filming At Fort Tejon State Historic Park
Fort Tejon is an abandoned US Military fort (abandoned on September 11, 1864) centered in a historical reserve/park. Adobes from the fort have been restored for visitors and there’s also a nearby museum featuring insights into the lives of the locals and the military in the region. The park is also home to a spectacular population of majestic oak trees, some as old as 400 years.
To get your film permit for this locale, you’ll have to coordinate with both the park authorities and then submit an application to the CFC, as stated earlier.
Filming At Hungry Valley
Hungry Valley is another nearby treasure cove of scenic beauty and adventure. Spreading over a vast area of 19,000 acres, the valley features trails for bikers and enthusiasts. Best enjoyed in spring-time and fall, the valley also receives occasional snowfall in the winters and tends to get hot and dusty in the summer months. It is an elevated region, around 3,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level, and features a rich scenic display of natural beauty, perfect for capturing.
As with other state parks and trails, here, you’ll have to book your schedule with the authorities managing Hungry Valley and then apply for a permit with CFC at least four days prior to your shooting schedule.
Filming At Frazier Park School Districts
There aren't many school districts in Frazier Park when compared to bigger cities, however, some notable names include Vineland School District, El Tejon Unified School District, and Ventura Unified School District. The general protocol for filming in any of these is as follows:
· First, contact the school administration and seek permission for filming on-campus
· Once you’ve found a slot for your filming crew, reach out to CFC and submit your application
· Mention the exact schedule and the details of the crew in your application
· Be sure to submit the application at least a full month in advance (before the shooting schedule)
· CFC will review the application and send an invoice if your request has been approved
· Once you pay the expenses, you’ll get your permit
However, school districts do require a minimum of $1 million in general liability insurance coverage and in some cases, additional insurance coverage for worker’s compensation and automobile liability may also be needed.
Noise Regulations To Follow
Other than site-specific filming regulations in Frazier Park, you also need to keep the noise regulations of Kern County (which houses Frazier Park) in mind. These are not specific to filming but it’s still important to review these guidelines so you don’t end up in trouble when filming in a populated area.
What Does it Cost to Film in Frazier Park?
Now that you understand the filming guidelines for Frazier Park, let’s talk money – not including your production expenses or the site expenses. Here’s a rough breakdown of how much it would cost you to film in Frazier Park, CA:
Additional Fees
The fee structure can vary for different productions, and while the filming laws in Frazier Park may seem complex, it's best to comply as best as you can. Otherwise, penalties and fines will be thrown upon you or the filming process itself shut down — when in doubt, call the CFC for more information.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Frazier Park?
Frazier Park is nestled in the embrace of the Los Padres National Forest, more specifically, it is situated inside the Cuddy Canyon. Lake of the Woods, 3.6 miles away, Lebec, 4.6 miles away, Pine Mountain Club, 14.5 miles away, and Mettler, which is 16.7 miles away, are the nearest communities. The closest big city southwards is Santa Clara, and northwards is Bakersfield. The Frazier Mountain Park Road cuts through Frazier Park and serves as the main road; running eastward, it connects it to Lebec and the Lake of the Woods to the west.
Outreach in Frazier Park
You will have to conduct a public survey if you're going to shoot in a residential or commercial area where your activities may be noticeable to others around you. To seek the approval of the local community, you should first try and communicate positively with them and then tell them about your plan. Ask the CFC for specific guidelines in your case, but the general requirement is to seek an approval response from two-thirds of the people in residential settings and 80% in commercial ones. The permit-issuing authority will notify the public about the shoot, and you'll have to pay for the notices being issued.
Community Management in Frazier Park
Frazier Park is not as densely populated (not even comparable) as the big cities, so naturally, people are used to a peaceful and serene atmosphere. However, the community is by no means a stranger to filming crews unpacking their stuff in the neighborhood. They are a warm and welcoming community, just be sure to be on your best behavior, interact positively with the people, and let them know a bit about your project so you can get maximum support.
Conclusion
Overall, the distinct topography, low population density, variety of scenery, multiple shooting destinations, and a generally hospitable climate make Frazier Park a perfect choice for your next film production. Generally, the Frazier Park filming laws are not impossible to follow, and with incentive programs set by the CFC, you can cut down the production costs. Couple this with breathtaking mountainous scenery, and a variety of indoor shooting locales such as bars, cafes, and themed restaurants, and you've got the perfect package!
On top of this CFC won't charge you any site fees for State-owned properties, and you'll find the nearby national parks to be the perfect outdoor/wilderness ambiance for your film if you need one. Legendary TV series and several cinematic masterpieces including Van Helsing were shot here — you too can leave your mark in the warm Mediterranean embrace of Frazier Park or wait for the winters when the mountains nearby are covered with snow. Just make sure that you fulfill all the insurance requirements and comply with the rules and instructions laid down by the CFC to avoid any troubles.
As for booking a location for your film shoot, you can always leave that to us!