City Guide Filming in Fullerton, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Application Fee: $795 (non-refundable)
- Permit Rider Fees: $126 per rider
- FilmLA Monitor Fee: $37 per hour
- Student Permit Fee: $114 for complex permission and $30 for simple permission
- Notification Fee: $198
- Timing: Minimum 3 business days
Minimum Insurance
- Commercial General Liability of at least $1 million per incident.
- Workers’ Compensation that complies with the California Labor Code.
- Auto Liability of at least $1 million covering any vehicle used for your film production.
- Waiver of Subrogation that releases the City of Inglewood from all liability.
- Police and Fire Requirements: Contact Solution Services for any other City of Fullerton services that may be required, such as Police Officers or Fire Service Staff.
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Fullerton
With no shortage of filming locations, top-notch studios, and success stories, the film and TV industry in Fullerton is booming. Fullerton is a beautiful city just 30 minutes from Los Angeles, and it has attracted many filmmakers and production companies, especially in the 1990s, as the perfect location to shoot movies. One of the first films shot in Fullerton, "Her Fatal Millions," was completed at the ancient Santa Fe railroad station.
The identity of Fullerton was also turned into Lonsdale, a small Midwestern town for filming sequences for "Trail of '93," a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer special. According to the record from IMDb, there are 176 film productions listed under the City of Fullerton as a filming location. Films like Waking Up in Reno, Mothman, Dreamrider, Dr. Caligari, Evolution, and Touch also used the city as a backdrop. In 2016, Fullerton also served as a backdrop for the filming of George Clooney's “Suburbicon,” which was filmed on Ash Avenue, starring Julienne Moore and Matt Damon, among others.
Fullerton is a thriving hub of film production activity, and filmmakers are taking advantage of the diversity of locations, infrastructure, good climate, and deep crew base. However, like every city, Fullerton has established filming guidelines and rules that filmmakers must follow to film in the city.
If you’re still trying to figure out where you’ll be filming in the City of Fullerton, check out these great locations.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Fullerton?
Depending on the extent of work and nature of the filming project, a film permit is required for filming on both private and public property within the City of Fullerton. Commercial filming on any public property in Fullerton, including all parks, public land, public right-of-way, parking lots, and City facilities, requires permission. Motion picture and TV productions, videos, web broadcasts, and commercials are all examples of commercial filming. You’ll need to work with FilmLA, the agency responsible for issuing permits for the city of Fullerton.
The City of Fullerton also offers permits for the following filming:
Student Filming:
Students are required to get a film permit in Fullerton. While this permit is not free, qualifying students are eligible for special rates. Students must present an ID as well as a letter from an authorized body with school letterhead stating that the project is for educational and non-commercial purposes.
Non-profit Filming:
Non-profit productions require a permit, though they may be eligible for a lower rate. You will need to demonstrate your non-profit status with a 501(c)3 letter submitted to FilmLA.
Permit Management in Fullerton
FilmLA
The City of Fullerton has signed an agreement with FilmL.A. That makes the agency the film permit coordinator. FilmLA now accepts applications to film on public property, public right-of-way, and city facilities in Fullerton. The service of FilmLA is to provide competent, unified coordination of multi-jurisdictional filming permits in the busiest film production region of the world.
However, FilmLA offers far more than just film permits. The agency balances between improving the production company's on-set experiences and the local populations who live and work there. The agency issues film permits and works with local departments to ensure that your production has all it needs to succeed.
Film permit applications must be filed to FilmL.A. via their Online Permit System at filmla.com at least five working days before the first day of filming. If your production requires the closure of a part of a street or road, the process may take longer, so submit your request as soon as possible.
Once you create an account, you should select your preferred location, submit your insurance details, submit your film permit application, conduct outreach, and arrange payment and delivery.
What Insurance Do I Need in Fullerton?
Production companies who want to film on location in Fullerton must have the necessary insurance on file with FilmLA. If something goes wrong while filming on someone else's property, the agency wants to make sure you're covered for any damages or injuries caused.
FilmLA requires your insurance policies to cover the following:
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 Fullerton?
With filming locations ranging from pristine heritage homes to immaculate wilderness only a short distance from Los Angeles, Fullerton has some of the premier filming and production locations. Fullerton’s diverse range of sceneries — including verdant parks, bustling city streets, and lively waterfronts — is a hotspot for movie and TV filmmakers.
In Fullerton, private residences are also ideal filming locations. For instance, you can book a country garden home for your next project if you want a secluded space with character and charm. Whatever neighborhood you choose, there will always be a house that stands out and fits your story.
The Fullerton train station provided a backdrop for many films and TV. With its Revival style, the Fullerton train station is an architectural marvel — and a place that looks beautiful on camera. Several years ago, sequences from the 1964 film Send Me No Flowers were shot at what was then a passenger train station.
The schools are also popular filming locations. A few Fullerton schools and colleges are used as filming locations, which is delightful for the students who attend. Residents of the city and Cal State Fullerton alumni may remember the Glen Canyon Community College from the 2001 film Evolution. Fullerton Union High School was recently hugely featured in the comedy-drama series The Politician.
TV shows and films have brought site scouts and production teams to Fullerton neighborhoods. One of them is the cast of George Clooney's 2017 film Suburbicon. Fullerton is a serene, attractive neighborhood with manicured lawns and magnificent homes titled Suburbicon on screen. Residents in Fullerton rushed to Facebook and other social media platforms to reveal how the movie set designers had converted their neighborhood into another universe. The 1950s era was brought back to life in Fullerton, from antique cars to military vehicles, police vehicles, and Suburbicon-emblazoned fire trucks.
Of course, the stunning forest-clad landscapes, scenic Seawalls, sandy beaches, and shimmering Lagoon are also popular locations for film projects, providing a plethora of sceneries suitable for a wide range of genres.
Special Requirements in Fullerton
Special Monitors
When necessary, a FilmLA Monitor will be assigned to a specific project, which may include filming on City-owned land, complicated filming activity, and regularly shot places, among other things. The production company will be charged for the cost of a monitor.
Temporary No Parking Signs
The film production company may erect temporary "no parking" signs. The Fullerton Police Department enforces signs that are not up 48 hours in advance.
Your production company can only use Fullerton approved sign template, and you must completely fill out all fields.
Film Encroachment Permit
A Film Encroachment Permit is required for any filming that includes the use of City streets, sidewalks, parking structures, lane closures, and posting. When any of these are required, you must complete the Encroachment Permit and submit it along with your film permit application. The fees are as follows:
Fullerton Street Occupancy Fee: $122 per location Fullerton Closure Fee Basic: $225 per location) Fullerton Closure Fee Complex: $386 per location Parking Fees: The parking space fee for white-lined spaces on Fullerton streets is $25.00 per space in Fullerton parking
Drone and Aircraft Requirements
Aviation insurance in the amount of $5,000,000 is required in Fullerton. All insurance certificates are reviewed and approved by FilmLA.
FilmLA and its entities must be named on the aircraft liability insurance certificate for the drone and aircraft.
The drone carrier requires a $2,000,000 aviation certificate and endorsement page designating FilmLA and its organizations.
A $2 million aviation certificate and endorsement page indicating the jurisdiction where the activity will take place.
Misc
Production must submit a detailed plan to the Production Planning Department indicating all places to be used as well as any specific demands like the usage of desks, TVs left on, laptops left on, and so on. This proposal should contain a map of the areas to be used. No drinks or food besides water are permitted in the office spaces. Catering and craft services may be provided in the staff break room. Food and beverages are permitted. All equipment requires a mat or layout board when placing any equipment on tables, desks, counters, and so on; they must also be safeguarded. It is safe to utilize household power. Nothing larger than a Kino Flo light will be permitted to be connected to wall outlets. There is no after-hours support available if a circuit is tripped. No fastening or taping anything to the walls unless prior consent is obtained. Filming must also be discussed with the building's owner. When leaving, the film production crew must remove any self-generated waste.
What Does it Cost to Film in Fullerton?
When production companies request a film permit, they agree to pay all fees required by FilmLA. Fullerton film permit comes with various fees depending on your location and the scope of your film production activities. The following fees are related to film permits in the City of Fullerton:
Additional Fees
FilmLA is not responsible for controlling or setting the filming-related fees charged by its government partners. Contact Solution Services to discuss any additional fees that may apply to your specific filming production.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Fullerton?
Fullerton, located in North Orange County, is about 25 miles southeast of downtown LA and a few minutes from Disneyland. The city offers approximately 280 days of sunlight each year and a broad mix of attractions, including an abundance of cultural, leisure, and educational resources. Fullerton was home to a substantial industrial base made up of aerospace contractors, paper product manufacturers, and canneries from the mid-1940s until the late 1990s and is regarded as the birthplace of the electric guitar, thanks in large part to Leo Fender.
Fullerton is a city with a strong sense of heritage that takes pleasure in creating an environment that provides for the preservation of its historical past and chances to address any future problem. Fullerton is a "General Law" city, which means it gets its authority from legislation passed by the state legislature. The city's fundamental law is the state Governmental Code, which specifies powers and the structure of government that will put these powers to use. Fullerton has a "Council-Manager" system of governance. The City Council makes policy and provides political leadership, while the City Manager directs how that policy is carried out by City agencies.
The City of Fullerton acknowledges that the film industry is an important part of the county's economic development and not only supports but also values film production in its community. That is why Fullerton established an agreement with FilmLA as the City's film permit coordinator, requiring no additional license or permit application to shoot a film in the city.
Outreach in Fullerton
The City of Fullerton may demand a Film Survey to show that impacted residents/businesses have been contacted individually and to solicit individual objections (if any) about the desired filming activity. FilmLA will supply a survey form, but it is your production company's responsibility to survey affected people and businesses. You must send everyone the shoot will impact notification letters as far in advance as feasible, preferably within 48 hours.
Permit notification requires production companies to complete a satisfactory Filming Survey and offer a reasonable effort to address any issues the survey raises. Each Filming Survey contains information regarding anticipated filming activity, such as filming dates and hours, parking effects in the area, and other important events. Film survey forms provide contact information for FilmLA and the film production company to promote settlement before production begins.
It is important to note that the Film Survey is not a request for permission to shoot. These surveys are only used to gather information, which FilmLA then uses to measure neighborhood concerns.
Community Management in Fullerton
Fullerton is a film-friendly city, and they encourage residents, businesses, and industries to support and complement the film industry in their area. However, it is typical for a film produced on a street lined with people and businesses to notify the community. The same applies when production trucks take up parking spaces or block entrances. To ensure effective management of the filming activity, the film company must participate in proper and suitable communication with the community likely to be affected by the proposed shoot. The more help and encouragement you receive from the residents and businesses in the community, the happier and more successful your filming project will be.
Conclusion
A film is only as good as its setting. When watching movies, many pay attention to the background and actual setting. The City of Fullerton gives filmmakers the best with its range of architecture and landscapes, first-class film production houses and crews, and heavenly weather conditions. The city offers lovely scenery and could pass for many other places. It is also substantially less expensive to film here.
Fullerton has a well-established pool of people with the right filmmaking abilities. And because the weather is pleasant, filming is not frequently interrupted. However, if you want to shoot your next commercial, feature film, or TV show in the city, follow Fullerton filming guidelines and regulations. Fortunately, in this guide, we have covered the bases of filming permits and regulations across many mediums in the City of Fullerton.
While applying for a Fullerton film permit might feel like leaping through hoops for many filmmakers, planning to obtain a FilmLA film permit and understanding the county jurisdictions will make the process go as smoothly as possible. The permitting procedure is the city's way of ensuring that local communities and productions continue to benefit each other for years to come. FilmLA is a fantastic resource and a must-contact for any filmmaking in Fullerton.