City Guide Filming in Hyde Park, 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
- Auto Liability
- Evidence of Workers’ Compensation following the requirements of the State of California
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Hyde Park
Hyde Park lies in South Los Angeles, just northeast of Inglewood in California. It is a neighborhood that was once a separate city before it was consolidated as part of Los Angeles in the 1920s. As one of the oldest neighborhoods in the region, it features several old structures and buildings that tell the tale of what the architectural landscape was. Moreover, the neighborhood also has a suburban feel to it, which makes it a great place to visit for film shoots and commercial production.
Hyde Park’s proximity to Los Angeles and Santa Monica further recommends the city when production teams are scouting locations within the vicinity for off-city shots. It’s easy to find different locations that are perfect for filmmaking in Hyde Park, such as those used in the 2015 movie Backlash. Check out Giggster for a picturesque filming location that suits your production needs in Hyde Park.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Hyde Park?
Tourists, visitors, or anyone in Hyde Park who wishes to film for personal use do not need a film permit. So, if you are here with your camera or recording device and are simply taking videos with your family and/or friends for non-commercial reasons without a film permit, you are not breaking any Hyde Park filming laws.
On the other hand, if you are in Hyde Park and you intend to film on-location for commercial purposes, you must first secure a film permit before engaging in the filming activity. This is regardless of whether you plan to film on private property or public property in the neighborhood.
If you are a student with a film production to carry out, you must also apply for a student permit before you start rolling your camera(s) in Hyde Park. Non-profit organizations are not exempt from obtaining a film permit either.
If your project will involve the use of explosives, fires, special effects, or the closure of public roads or streets in the neighborhood, you will need special approvals or additional permits. Why? Because the film permit alone does not suffice for such activities. These kinds of activities will require the approval and involvement of the Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Police Department.
Permit Management in Hyde Park
FilmLA
FilmLA is the agency that coordinates the process of issuing and managing film permits in Hyde Park.
If you are a filmmaker who intends to shoot a commercial production in Hyde Park, you get to enjoy more services from FilmLA in addition to film permitting. You can contact FilmLA to know how previous production teams fared in the neighborhood and what their experience/challenges were. You can also get answers or insights to questions about production budgeting in the area. Moreover, FilmLA can also assist you when you wish to film in an area that has special conditions or make reservations for a property that is owned by the city.
As for the process to follow to get a permit to film in Hyde Park, the first thing for you to do is to find the location(s) that suits your production needs. After you have decided on the location of choice, reach out to FilmLA to discuss the proposed filming location and your production plans. This is so that you can get all the information that will be relevant to your production (such as whether you will need to contact external agencies for approvals). FilmLA’s team is available to guide you through the permit requirements.
You will need to provide proof of liability insurance as well because this is one of the things you will need when making your online film permit application on MyFilmLA. Moreover, you may be required to conduct outreach in the area where you intend to shoot your production. There are some fees that you will also pay during your permit application as well.
If you are a student with plans to film in Hyde Park, you require a student film permit from FilmLA. For this, reach out to FilmLA, get a letter of certification and the certificate of insurance from your school, distribute filming notices in the area(s) you intend to use, and apply online. FilmLA provides a step-by-step guide for student filmmakers.
FilmLA can ask a filmmaker to carry out some additional tasks during the permit application process. These could range from conducting filming surveys, meeting with concerned members of the community, organizing walk-throughs with safety teams, obtaining additional permits, to paying extra fees. Whatever additional thing is required will depend on the nature and scope of the planned production in Hyde Park.
What Insurance Do I Need in Hyde Park?
You must provide evidence of liability insurance to FilmLA before you can be issued a permit to film in the neighborhood. It’s best to first contact FilmLA about the specific insurance requirements that will apply to you before you purchase insurance. FilmLA’s insurance specialists help with this. If you will need to provide more insurance coverage than what is required in general, you will be notified.
Student filmmakers can satisfy the production insurance requirements of FilmLA by providing the certificate of insurance of their institution.
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 Hyde Park?
Hyde Park is one of those neighborhoods that may not be awash with abundant filming locations, but that makes up for it by serving up amazing shots in the areas where you can film. The majority of the spots where you can set up for filming here in Hyde Park are outdoor areas, and one of such popular spots is the Van Ness Recreation Center – the only park within the neighborhood.
Destination Crenshaw is another place in the neighborhood that attracts filmmakers. You will surely enjoy filming in the bustling corridor of Crenshaw Boulevard too. If you are looking for a suburban mix in your production, Hyde Park will offer you that.
The residential apartments, old and modern buildings, and schools in Hyde Park are good places to go with your cast and crew when your script demands it.
Special Requirements in Hyde Park
Los Angeles Unified School District
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) manages different schools in Hyde Park. If you wish to use any of these schools for on-location filming, you must comply with LAUSD’s filming requirements. These schools include Crenshaw Senior High School, Alliance William, and Carol Ouchi Academy High, View Park Preparatory Accelerated High, Crenshaw Arts-Technology Charter High, Whitney Young Continuation, KIPP Academy of Opportunity, Today's Fresh Start Charter, Angeles Mesa Elementary, View Park Preparatory Accelerated Charter Middle, Fifty-Ninth Street Elementary, and YES Academy.
There are some steps to follow to obtain LAUSD approval for filming. The first step to being able to film in any of the LAUSD schools in Hyde Park is to contact the LAUSD liaison for the schools where you intend to film to discuss the details of your project and other things like availability, etc. Thereafter, you can go ahead to complete the LAUSD film license application/agreement and submit it alongside a detailed parking map to FilmLA. Ensure you submit the license application at least four days before the date filming is scheduled to commence.
In addition to the LAUSD license, you must obtain a film permit from FilmLA before you can shoot production on the LAUSD property in Hyde Park. Moreover, you must also comply with LAUSD’s production insurance requirements by submitting your certificate of insurance that includes the following via email (Sample):
Commercial General Liability of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence;
Auto Liability of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence;
Proof of Workers’ Compensation that complies with the laws of the State of California;
Include the Los Angeles Unified School District and FilmLA as additional insured on the certificate of insurance.
Some fees are associated with filming on LAUSD property in Hyde Park, and these do not include those billed by FilmLA for the film permit, nor those required by city agencies for their services. A summary of the LAUSD fees is presented below:
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.
What Does it Cost to Film in Hyde Park?
Film production in Hyde Park is not free of charge as there are costs associated with things such as the permit application; making changes to an issued permit; the services of a monitor; community outreach; other additional services like those of Fire Personnel or Police Officers that may be required during production.
Additional Fees
Depending on the nature of your production, you may be required to meet additional requirements and purchase other permits. Some fees are required before the film permit is issued, while others are payable after the production is complete.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Hyde Park?
Hyde Park is bordered on the east by South Arlington Avenue and Van Ness Avenue, while West Vernon Avenue borders it on the north. Leimert Park and Vermont Square are municipalities that lie north of Hyde Park. Ladera Heights and View Park-Windsor Hills border the neighborhood to the west, while Inglewood is located south and southwest.
Inglewood
You must apply for a film permit from the city of Inglewood before you carry out any kind of commercial motion picture or television production on public or private property in the city. To obtain a film permit for Inglewood, you must complete a film permit application and reach out to applicable city departments such as the Police Department, Public Works Department, and Parks, Recreation & Library Services Department to determine what you require for filming. Thereafter, send in your completed application via email.
A checklist of the requirements for a film permit in Inglewood is presented below: The completed application form; A signed Hold Harmless Agreement; Proof of Insurance of at least $1,000,000 coverage; Permission to Use Private Property Sheet; Approval from the Los Angeles County Fire Department; A completed Business Tax Application; Verification from School / Professor (for student filmmakers); Current Student ID (for student filmmakers).
Filming fees and associated taxes in Inglewood are as follows: A non-refundable permit fee of $635 (waived for student filmmakers); Taxes (Private Property): $44 for the first day ; $22 for each additional day; Taxes (Public Property): $220 for the first day; $110.00 for each additional day; Parks, City Hall Filming – At least $1,500.00 per day per location; Public Rights of Way, including streets, alleys, and sidewalks – At least $1,032 per day per location; Other staffing fees may apply to your production, depending on the nature and scope of filming.
Leimert Park Business District
FilmLA manages the film permit process in Leimert Park. However, there are special conditions that a filmmaker must comply with when filming in Leimert Park Business District. These are summarized below.
Notify the residents and businesses within 500 ft of the proposed filming activity at least two days before the start of filming or set preparation. This includes those within the radius of equipment parking; Cast and crew are not allowed to park on area streets or the City parking lots; Feeding and catering are only allowed on private property; Keep “No Parking” signs and parking of production vehicles to a minimum; Submit a parking plan to FilmLA before the production begins. You can submit your parking plan two days before filming is set to commence if you won’t be posting “No Parking” signs. If you must post these signs, then you must submit your parking plans four days before the date of filming; A FilmLA Monitor will be assigned during production; Filming surveys are required to film outside normal filming hours.
Westchester Business District
Although FilmLA coordinates film permitting in Westchester (meaning that all FilmLA’s requirements apply to the neighborhood), some special filming conditions apply to production in the Westchester Business District. Some of these are presented below:
Notify the residents and businesses within a 500 ft radius of the filming activity, including equipment parking, at least two days before filming and/or set preparation is set to commence; Unless the Westchester Business Association approves, cast and crew are not allowed to park on area streets or area parking lots; Arrange for permission to park in area lots through the Executive Director of Westchester Parking Lots; Submit your parking plans to FilmLA before production commences. If you will need to post “No Parking” signs, you must submit your parking plans to FilmLA four days before the start of filming. However, if you do not need to post any signs, you can submit your parking plan two days before the filming date; Filming in certain locations is not allowed on certain holidays.
Ladera Heights
To cater to the concerns of the residents of Ladera Heights, certain filming conditions are in place for filmmakers that wish to engage in commercial production in the neighborhood: Notify the residents and businesses within a 500 ft radius of the filming activity including equipment parking at least two days before filming and/or set preparation is set to commence; Contact the Ladera Heights Civic Association representatives at least two days before the first date of set preparation or filming; Approved filming hours are from 7 am to 10 pm; Filming on weekends or holidays is not allowed unless prior approval is given; Park production vehicles on only one side of the street; Production vehicles are not to interfere with public activities; Cast and crew are not allowed to park on area streets; Catering and feeding are to be done in areas out of the public view; Use generators only in approved areas.
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation manages the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area.
Before applying for the film permit from FilmLA, contact the Reservations Office of Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area to determine the available dates vis-à-vis your production schedule. You may also need to schedule a walk-through of the facility before finalizing your plans and applying to FilmLA. Ensure you finalize all that concerns your production with the Reservations Office at least three business days before the date of filming (excluding Fridays).
Fees associated with filming in Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area include FilmLA fees, park monitor and staff fees, special facility fees, parking lot fees, County use fees, etc. Some of these fees are payable to FilmLA, while some others are received by the County, or the department/unit responsible for providing the service required. FilmLA’s production insurance requirements apply. Filming hours in Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area are from 7 am to 10 pm on Mondays to Fridays, excluding holidays.
Outreach in Hyde Park
Hyde Park filming regulations mandate that all the members of the community that will be affected by filming activities be notified before the start of filming. This outreach is to be done at least two days before production begins. In Hyde Park, FilmLA conducts the outreach on behalf of filmmakers by sending out notifications to the residents and businesses that will be impacted by the proposed production.
The outreach by FilmLA will not be sufficient for your production if you intend to carry out certain activities outside the standard conditions. For instance, if you intend to film beyond normal filming hours or close public roads, then you will need to conduct a filming survey in addition to the outreach. The purpose of the filming survey is to seek the consent and approval of the community members for such special activities.
Community Management in Hyde Park
Beyond conducting outreach and filming surveys before filming in Hyde Park, filmmakers also need to establish a good connection with the host community through direct contact or community forums. That way, filmmakers can get instant feedback on the effects of their production on the residents/businesses and make necessary adjustments where necessary to ensure they keep the peace.
Conclusion
Hyde Park is not often considered among the top filmmaking locations in South Los Angeles. However, the neighborhood has spots that are conducive for shooting scenes representative of suburban environments. What’s more, it is an old area that used to be a city before it was consolidated into Los Angeles, meaning you will find both ancient and modern buildings where you can roll your camera. The neighborhood has a commercial corridor too, and a community that welcomes filmmakers. Moreover, the film permitting process is managed by FilmLA, which means you can get as much help as you need when you are planning your production. So, find a location in Hyde Park that meets your needs using Giggster, get your permit from FilmLA, and the rest will be history.