City Guide Filming in Gardena, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: Included in the application fee but may vary depending on the scope/size of the project.
- Film Permit Application Fee: $795 ($30 for students)
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability
- Auto Liability
- Workers’ Compensation
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Gardena
The city of Gardena in the county of Los Angeles, California lies northeast of Torrance and is well known for its ethnic diversity. Nicknamed Freeway City, Gardena has also long been one of the top areas in the county for film production activities. In 2015, a movie titled Freeway City, named for Gardena’s nickname, was released, and it portrayed the story of the city’s ethnic diversity, history, politics, and economic landscape.
Gardena has welcomed top filmmakers and actors to its neighborhoods for filming activities, and some of the movies shot here include Heat, Bridesmaid I, Gone in 60 Seconds, Mulholland Drive, Friday, and Black or White, among others. Besides, before it was closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gardena Cinema – which opened in 1947 – had hosted plenty of star actors (like Eddie Murphy) and featured in TV shows and documentaries, further opening up the city to the world of filmmaking and production. In addition, Gardena features several other beautiful locations that are perfect for use in film shoots, so feel free to find one that fits your filming needs now using Giggster.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Gardena?
If you wish to film in Freeway City, you have to abide by Gardena’s filming laws, and the first step is determining if you require a permit or not. As a rule of thumb, those who are filming in the city for personal use generally do not require a permit. In that sense, as long as you are rolling your camera(s) for non-commercial use – such as making a recording while on vacation with family – you won’t need a permit. In any case, just to be on the right side of the law, you can contact the agency that issues and manages film permits in Gardena to clear up any doubts you may have.
On the flip side, filmmakers that are in Gardena for reasons other than personal filming must obtain a permit before going about their business in the city. Filming for commercial purposes or in any public space in the city like parking lots, parks, and City facilities must be done only after a permit is in hand. The same applies to filming on private property too. To be clear, commercial filming in Gardena includes the production of videos, motion pictures, television, off-news works, commercials, and web broadcasts.
Fire Permit
Where a production will include the use of pyrotechnics, explosions, or some other special effects that may constitute a fire safety hazard, the filmmaker will also require a fire permit.
Student and Educational Film Permits
These are permits issued for educational purposes, and they require that the permittee satisfy certain criteria as they often come at discounted rates and with certain limitations.
Non-profit Film Permits
These permits are issued to non-profit organizations that meet certain conditions. Obtaining this permit is a privilege and not an entitlement.
Permit Management in Gardena
FilmLA
FilmLA is the agency that is approved to issue, coordinate, and manage film permits in Gardena. For an application to be considered, the request from the filmmakers who wish to film on private and public property in the city must be submitted to FilmLA for review at least three business days before the intended date of filming. There are instances where the filmmaker will need to submit their film application earlier than three days, and this applies particularly to complex projects or those that require additional services or the involvement of other city agencies.
Besides the fact that FilmLA coordinates the film permitting process in Gardena, the agency also provides some additional services that filmmakers may require while in the city. These include helping to scout locations in the city via LocoScout; facilitating collaboration with available filming audiences in the community; assigning film monitors where necessary; carrying out community outreach, and notifying the folks in the neighborhood where the filming is set to take place.
As regards what you need to do to obtain a film permit from FilmLA, here is a simple guide to follow:
Decide on the location in the city where you intend to carry out your filming activity – Giggster helps with this;
Contact FilmLA to discuss the area you intend to use and what your filming plans are;
Have the required insurance ready;
Submit your application online;
Be prepared for some additional tasks which would depend on your project specifics. Examples include conducting a film survey, getting additional permits, paying extra fees for additional services, conducting outreach to the neighborhood, or organizing a walk-through.
For projects that require a Fire Permit, the LA County Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division oversees the process, so the filmmaker must reach out to the Public Safety and Film Unit of the Division and submit a Motion Picture/Filming Permit Request.
What Insurance Do I Need in Gardena?
All filmmakers must comply with the production insurance requirements of Gardena before they can be issued a permit to film on-location in the city. As part of the online film permit application, FilmLA provides a link to submit the certificate of insurance. To comply with the requirements, the filmmaker must either have insurance on file with FilmLA or provide insurance documents that align with the requirements stated below:
Commercial General Liability insurance coverage of $1,000,000 minimum per occurrence;
Auto Liability insurance coverage of $1,000,000 minimum per occurrence;
Proof of Workers’ Compensation according to statutory requirements;
Include FilmLA and The City of Gardena as additional insured.
FilmLA recommends that all filmmakers first contact the agency and discuss their production plans with a designated insurance specialist before purchasing insurance. One of the reasons for this is so that the filmmaker will be guided appropriately on the insurance limits that will apply to their project as this may vary based on the scope of the production. Moreover, the filmmaker will be able to know, through this means, if there are additional insurance requirements for their 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 Gardena?
The city of Gardena has some fascinating locations for film shoots, and these include the freeways and streets in the city, schools, parks, municipal buildings, and residential apartments.
As Gardena is popularly called Freeway City, filmmakers can easily find spots on the freeways that border the city to set up their gear and shoot scenes for the production. Moreover, the city’s streets offer good opportunities to reflect both rural and urban settings as desired.
The parks in the city such as Arthur Johnson Memorial Park, Edward Thornburg Memorial Park, George H. Freeman Memorial Park, Mas Fukai Park, Paul Rowley Memorial Park, and Vincent Bell Memorial Park are also great spaces to present natural settings and open areas for panoramic shots.
Film producers with scripts that include scenes in schools love Gardena because the public schools in the city are ideal for such film requirements. When willing to depict business or official settings, the city buildings are perfect for use too as they easily pass for them.
Special Requirements in Gardena
Los Angeles Unit School District
Public schools in Gardena fall under the Los Angeles Unit School District (LAUSD). Therefore, all film production teams that wish to film in public schools in the city have to comply with the filming requirements of the LAUSD.
For a start, the film production company has to find the particular school property of interest either by using Giggster, LocoScout, or contacting an LAUSD specialist on school matters. Thereafter, the filmmaker will establish contact with the filming liaison that’s assigned to the particular school of choice to iron out details such as location availability, project requirements, and scouting. If all comes back fine with the liaison, then the filmmaker can proceed to complete and sign the license agreement and submit it via email. To be considered, the application must go in at least four business days before the proposed date of filming.
As part of the pre-arrangements for the filming project, the filmmaker is also required to obtain pre-approval from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and schedule a walk-through with the LAFD. Moreover, a film monitor will be assigned for the entire duration of the production.
In terms of the production insurance requirements for the public schools in Gardena, the LAUSD stipulates that all filmmakers provide insurance coverage in line with the following:
Commercial General Liability of $2,000,000 minimum per occurrence;
Auto Liability of $2,000,000 minimum per occurrence; and
Statutory Workers’ Compensation.
The LAUSD and FilmLA must be named as additional insured, and the insurance documents are to be submitted by email.
Here are the production and parking fees associated with filming in public schools in the city of Gardena:
A refundable deposit of $500 per day;
Filming fee of $3,500 for 15 hours (Students - $350 for 4 hours);
Overtime fee of $140 per hour ($70 for students);
A custodial fee of $40 per hour;
Half-day filming fee of $1,750 for 6 hours;
Overnight parking of $1,000 per day;
Parking rates from $950 to $1,648 depending on the school and duration, with extra charges applicable.
Gardena Mayme Dear Library
Filmmakers who wish to shoot scenes at the Gardena Mayme Dear Library have to abide by the filming guidelines provided by the County of Los Angeles Public Library. The first step is to fill out an online request at least three weeks before the proposed filming date. For more immediate requests, filmmakers are to indicate the urgency in the form, and the Executive Office will try to accommodate it. Please note that the LA County Library may decline a filming request if deemed necessary.
After obtaining approval from the LA County Library, the filmmaker can then proceed to apply for a film permit from FilmLA and provide all required documentation and fees. Thereafter, the film production can take place at Gardena Mayme Dear Library.
City of Gardena Parks
Before any production team can film in any of the City of Gardena Parks, they have to contact the Recreation Services Administrator in the City of Gardena Recreation and Services Department and go through the details of the filming as well as the availability of the park. If the park is available, the filmmaker will fill out a reservation form to officially reserve the park for their project. Filming is allowed every day of the week in the City’s parks. All filming activities require at least two Police Officers, while filming that takes place when the park is closed requires a Park Monitor.
As for fees for filming in the parks in the city:
The application fee is $200
The filming fee is $400 per day
Park prep/Strike fee per day is $100 (maximum three days)
Each additional day for Park Prep/Strike fee is $400 per day
Park Monitor fee is $30 per hour (three hours minimum)
The Police Officer fee is $100 per hour per officer (four hours minimum)
What Does it Cost to Film in Gardena?
The cost of filming in Gardena aligns with the requirements of FilmLA, and these include monitoring fees, notification fees, application fees, as well as other fees that may be charged for additional services that a particular production requires. The total amount varies from project to project because of the uniqueness of individual projects.
Additional Fees
Besides these basic fees, you can find out from FilmLA what additional fees you are required to pay as part of the application process. All payments to FilmLA can be made online during the application. It is also important to note that FilmLA does not control or set any film-related fees charged by its government partners.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Gardena?
Besides the Harbor, Artesia, and San Diego freeways that border the city of Gardena, Torrance, Alondra Park, and Hawthorne are located on the western end of the city from south to north. To the north of Gardena lies the neighborhood of Athens, while Harbor Gateway and Compton are situated east.
Torrance
The City Manager’s Special Events and Filming Office coordinates approvals for film permits in the city of Torrance. All film activities in the city require permits, whether it be commercials, TV, movies, videos, still photography, or student films. For filming in city parks, filmmakers must obtain approval from the Department of Community Services.
A quick guide for the film permits process in the city of Torrance is as follows: Obtain a Certificate of Insurance that covers General Liability of $1,000,000 minimum per occurrence; Automobile Liability of $1,000,000 minimum per occurrence; and Statutory Workers’ Compensation. Obtain letters of authorization to film from every private property owner whose property is part of the filming location(s) indicated on the film permit application. Evidence that any city park and/or facility to be used for filming purposes has been duly reserved – this may incur additional charges from such facilities. Submit your application online. If the application is approved, you will receive notification from the Film Office on what the applicable fees will be. Pay the fees and receive your film permit.
Hawthorne
All production companies that intend to film in the city of Hawthorne are to submit their permit applications and supporting documentation to the City’s Business License division in person at least ten working days (excluding Fridays) before the proposed date of filming. Email applications for the film permits are not accepted. Only inquiries and cancellations are accepted via email.
Some additional considerations for obtaining the permit to film in Hawthorne are as follows: Applications submitted less than three business days to the proposed filming date are treated as urgent and attract additional fees with no guarantees of approval; To-scale plans and diagrams must accompany film projects that involve the public right of way; Productions on private properties in the city are only approved after the filmmaker presents documentation from the property owner that such activity is permitted; Signed notification letters showing fifty-one percent approval from the neighborhood where the filming is set to take place; Appropriate documentation from the educational institution for students seeking filming permits; Evidence of non-profit status for non-profit organizations seeking filming permits; Fire permit from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, where required; A signed Hold Harmless Agreement;
Insurance documents and appropriate endorsements: Commercial General Liability of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence; Automobile Liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence; Workers’ Compensation per California Labor Law; Employer’s Liability of at least $1,000,000 per accident. Special authorization to film outside normal filming hours (7 am to 10 pm) make use of special effects, excessive noise, etc. where required; Payment of applicable fees some of which include: Non-refundable application fee of $250 ($175 for students and non-profits); Cancelation deposit of $250; Film permit fee of $150 per day; Urgency fee of $250 per department; Refundable Public/City property deposit of $200 per day; Public right of way fee of $500 per day; Police Officer fee of $88 per hour (minimum of four hours); Parking Enforcement Officer fee of $31.85 per hour (minimum of four hours).
Compton
Film permit applications in the city of Compton are welcome and required for motion pictures, still photography, commercials, music videos, and TV broadcasts in the city. The permits are issued by the City Manager’s Office, and applications can be submitted via US Mail or email. The Compton Fire and Sheriff Departments are involved in the application review process; hence the permittee is required to pay the fees for their services.
The film permits in the city cost $300 for up to three days of filming, $1,000 for four to six days of filming, and $1,500 for more than seven days of filming; Film permits have to be renewed every two weeks; A fire permit from the City’s Fire Department costs $513, excluding the fees for the Fire Officers that will be assigned to the filming project; Applications must be submitted at least two working weeks (excluding Fridays and Public holidays) before the start of filming; Authorization to use private property must also be submitted at least five working days before the filming date; Insurance requirements include a Certificate of Liability and Endorsement of not less than $2,000,000 for city-owned properties and $1,000,000 for private properties.
Outreach in Gardena
FilmLA handles the neighborhood notification in Gardena as this is part of the services that the agency offers on behalf of filmmakers that obtain film permits from the agency. FilmLA does this by distributing notices to the residents and business owners in the area where the filming will take place two business days before filming.
Under special conditions, as part of the outreach program, the filmmaker may be required to conduct a filming survey in the neighborhood, particularly when certain aspects of the project require the approval of the host community. Such cases include filming at late hours and/or for extended periods, or road closures, among others.
Community Management in Gardena
Film production companies are encouraged to create a friendly atmosphere in the community where they will be doing business by connecting with the residents through forums and channels like public meetings. That way, there is two-way communication between the hosts and the production company, and each party will be able to achieve their objectives for the duration of the film shoot. Where necessary, the filmmaker can compensate the residents or businesses that are affected by their activities too.
Conclusion
The city of Gardena has been home to filmmaking since the early to mid-1900s, with the entertainment scene further bursting into life with the opening of what is present-day Gardena Cinema in 1947. As more and more TV shows and movies were shot in the various locations in the city in the second half of the 20th century, the city claimed its place as one of the spots for great filming in the county. Furthermore, as the city signed an agreement with FilmLA in 2019 to manage the film permitting process, Gardena became even more attractive to filmmakers.
Every prospective filmmaker in Gardena that requires a film permit for their business simply has to identify the location(s) of interest in the city, secure the required insurance for filming, and work with FilmLA to firm up all the necessary fees to be paid and additional agencies to consult for approvals. Thereafter, it’s all about relating with the community members in the various locations and ensuring a film shoot that does not break any of the Gardena filming regulations.