City Guide Filming in Los Angeles, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Application fee: $795
- Student Permit Fee: $114
- Permit Rider Fee: $126
- FilmLA Monitor Fee: $37 per hour
Minimum Insurance
- General liability for filming
- Employee liability
- Watercraft liability
- Vehicle liability
- Aircraft liability
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Los Angeles
There's really nowhere more synonymous with the film industry than the Californian city of Los Angeles. The central nucleus of LA's film industry is of course Hollywood, which has been the epicenter of the film world since moving pictures were first projected onto a screen over a century ago.
Many of the big-name film production companies have their studios in LA so it's not surprising that the city streets have been used time and time again over the decades as a filming location. From legendary classics like Sunset Boulevard in the 1950s to blockbuster movies like Die Hard and Blade Runner in the 1980s, The Big Lebowski in the 90s, and the recent smash hit musical, La La Land, Los Angeles has starred in them all.
Choosing LA as the shooting location for a film or having the iconic Hollywood sign appear in the background of a scene isn't going to guarantee its box office success even though it might look impressive. If you're not au fait with all of the filming regulations in LA and adhere to the various filming guidelines during your shoot, filming in LA could turn out to be more of a curse than the movie magic you'd hoped for.
If you don't want to shout action anywhere else but in LA, you can explore some of the best shooting locations in Los Angeles here on Giggster.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Los Angeles?
The simple answer to the question of whether or not you need a filming permit in LA is yes unless the film is for noncommercial purposes. On occasion, depending on your chosen location, you may require more than one filming permit.
Special Effects Permit
Special effects permits are dealt with by the Los Angeles Fire Department. The LAFD are also required to evaluate certain locations such as hospitals before a regular filming permit can be authorized.
Beach Permits
While a filming permit will cover your shoot on any of the beaches under the jurisdiction of FilmLA, this does not include county beaches, and there is a hefty daily beach usage fee that also has to be paid. Prior to applying for your filming permit, you must make an application to reserve the beach or the required part of the beach in question. Only when that's been approved can you apply for a filming permit.
Non-Profit Organizations
If your project is for a non-profit organization you may be entitled to a special non-profit permit rate. You can apply to see if your organization is eligible on the FilmLA website.
Student Film Permits
There are reduced permit fees for students. The rate depends on the complexity of the production. To get the student rate, you will need to prove you are studying and provide proof of attendance at your place of education.
Permit Management in Los Angeles
FilmLA
Filming permits for sixteen cities and six school districts in the Los Angeles metropolitan area are exclusively controlled by Film LA. There are several places, Burbank and Beverly Hills among them, that are not exclusively controlled by Film LA, but by the relevant local authorities.
Each of the different neighborhoods under the jurisdiction of Film LA has specific filming permit requirements which are available for viewing on the official Film LA website in downloadable PDF format.
FilmLA are happy to advise on what permits are required for the specific location you've chosen and will also help you through the application process. The various neighborhoods have different deadlines for permit applications so make sure you check the requirements out well in advance. Permit fees are not refunded if you send your application in late.
Basic permit fees for uncomplicated productions are published on the FilmLA website but should be used as a reference only. The ultimate permit fee you need to pay is decided by FilmLA and depends on the type of production, the number of people involved in the shoot, the disruptions caused by the filming, and many other factors. Permits are usually valid for two weeks and can cover up to ten individual locations.
Once your filming permit application has been submitted, a Production Coordinator will liaise with you about the project before the permit is approved. It's not mandatory to have a FilmLA monitor on set during the shooting, but if it's a sizable production or one that's likely to cause disruption then it's advisable. A monitor's attendance is charged by the hour and is not included in the filming permit fee.
What Insurance Do I Need in Los Angeles?
Having adequate insurance coverage is a requirement for the issuing of a filming permit. If you're unsure of what coverage you need, FilmLA has an insurance coverage specialist who will advise you on the matter. FilmLA also provides a list of bonafide entertainment insurance brokers on their website. It's advisable to consult with the FilmLA insurance coverage specialist before purchasing any insurance policy to ensure you have the correct coverage for your project.
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 Los Angeles?
It would be easier to answer this question with a list of what type of filming locations aren't available in Los Angeles. LA is a city that just about has it all where film locations are concerned that's why so many producers and directors choose it.
LA is the city of film and photo shoots so there's no shortage of green screen studios or studios already fitted out with professional lighting you can hire for short or longer durations and many complete with props too.
You'll come across amazing loft conversions with state-of-the-art furnishings just ready for the actors to walk into. Some have amazing skyline views too. There are endless ready-made sets suitable for shooting any office-based productions, plus courtrooms, prison cells, and even strip clubs. Dark and damp warehouses, graffitied alleyways, real caves, rooftops, villas with pools, and even a stretch of desert complete with cacti ideal for a western film.
This is California so there's a surplus of beaches with waves perfect for filming surfing scenes, seaside resort areas like Santa Monica with piers full of all the amusements you could wish for, marinas full of yachts, and state parks with amazing landscapes ranging from forests to canyons. Whatever type of location you're looking for, you name it and LA has it including a fantastic China Town.
Special Requirements in Los Angeles
Requirements
Some locations require additional notice for road closures and will charge a fee for the service of closing the road, such as Fullerton, but others don't. Some, like Lancaster, require the use of fake firearms to be included in the application for the filming permit.
This is because, prior to the shoot taking place, they will execute a neighborhood survey to advise the local community of what's going to happen. It's also mandatory for a Sheriff to be on set when fake firearms are going to be used in this vicinity. This service is charged at an hourly fee.
Special Requirements For Filming In The Los Angeles Area
There are sixteen different areas with individual special requirements. Some are simple, others are not, so it's essential to check what's needed for the location you've chosen before you apply for your filming permit. If you don't then the start of your shoot could be delayed, or worse, your application for a filming permit will be refused and you'll forfeit the fee you've paid.
Filming permit fees and insurance liability cover is fairly standard throughout the areas, but will ultimately depend on the complexity of the production and the number of people involved in it. The experts on hand at FilmLA, the Production coordinator and insurance advisor, will be happy to advise you on any special requirements needed for your specific production.
NB: A list of the areas with special requirements can be found in the data section below. The special requirements for each are downloadable in PDF format from the FilmLA website.
Filming In Schools
Los Angeles has six Unified School Districts. Each district oversees numerous school properties within its given boundaries. Permits, production, and parking fees required vary depending on the district and the type of school, be it elementary, middle, or senior high.
The school districts also require additional liability insurance coverage, which must include the name of the district you're going to film in. Some districts, like the Burbank Unified School District, require you to apply for a filming license and a filming permit. Only after your filming project has been approved by the school liaison can you make the application for the license to FilmLA.
Each school district charges usage fees for filming on their properties. The fees vary greatly from district to district. For example -
Burbank Unified School District - $2,500 for 15 hours plus a daily, refundable deposit of $500.
Glendale Unified School District - $3,000 for 15 hours plus a daily, refundable deposit of $500.
If you're hoping to use a school property as a base and for crew parking, this also incurs a fee. All fees are required to be paid in full to the relevant authority before filming commences.
Example parking fees:-
Burbank Unified School District charges $1,500 per day regardless of the type of property.
Los Angeles Unified School District has different rates for elementary, middle or senior high properties which range from $950 for half a day to $1648 for a full day plus $1000 for base camp or catering truck parking.
NB: A list of the Unified School Districts can be found in the data section below. A full breakdown of fees for each individual district is available on the FilmLA website.
Filming On Beaches
There are sixteen beaches where filming is permitted within the jurisdiction of FilmLA. It's not allowed to do major shoots on all of them as some have crew number restrictions and do not permit vehicle access. Others have size restrictions in place for vehicles using the beach parking facilities.
Depending on the location of the beach you choose, you may also need to apply to the City of Malibu for an additional filming license. If you are using a boat or dock area then it's a legal requirement that you have an LA County lifeguard present. Minimum hire time for a lifeguard is four hours. There is also a $400 a day charge for filming on beaches.
NB: A list of beaches for filming can be found in the data section below. A full breakdown of regulations, restrictions, and fees for each individual beach is available in downloadable PDF format on the FilmLA website.
Filming In LA Airports
Both airports in Los Angeles, Los Angeles International, and Van Huys, are controlled by Los Angeles World Airports, and each has special requirements that must be fulfilled before filming can take place there.
The main requisites for filming at either airport are:-
Scouting with an approved technical scout from FilmLA or the LAFD.
A letter of intent stating all details of the proposed shoot.
A FilmLA filming permit.
If filming occurs in the airline lounges, gates, or on the concourse, background checks for all crew members are required. This can take up to five days to process.
Fees are not calculated until the filming permit has been submitted to FilmLA.
What Does it Cost to Film in Los Angeles?
To give you a general idea of what it might cost to film in Los Angeles the standard fees are listed here. It depends greatly on what type of production you are filming, the number of crew members, and the disruption the shoot will cause. There are many influencing factors that can increase the basic fees so use them as a guideline only. The figures don't include any usage charges that might be incurred.
Additional Fees
All of the final filming charges or estimates of the final charges are calculated by FilmLA and must be paid upon collection of the permit.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Los Angeles?
Los Angeles spreads its irregular urban reach through over five hundred square miles which makes it the second biggest city in the USA. Bordered in part to the west by the North Pacific Ocean and to the northwest by the Topanga State Park, the city's main mass sprawls inland until it reaches the base of the Santa Monica Mountains. The city's northeastern limits meet the city of Pasadena and to the south San Pedro which is just along the coast from Long Beach.
While FilmLA issues filming permits for most of LA, there are a couple of exceptions. To film in Beverly Hills you are required to apply for permission to the City of Beverly Hills Filming and Special Events Department.
To film in Burbank you are required to apply to the Burbank Police Department.
NB: FilmLA oversees the majority of the filming permits in Los Angeles and advises on specific regulations for different neighborhoods prior to issuing the permission to begin filming.
Occasionally, some homeowner associations in neighborhoods like Brentwood Park, Bel Air, and Holmby Hills, where there have been annoying disruptions to community life by film productions, will demand stricter controls to be set in place.
These associations rely on FilmLA to notify prospective producers of any new local regulations they've decided to instigate. The regulations are not laws, but requests for community consideration. Upset the locals and if they complain about you, you could find your filming permit revoked.
Outreach in Los Angeles
When you're hoping to film somewhere like Los Angeles where there are communities of wealthy people you often need to tread with a certain amount of diplomacy, decorum, and respect. Thankfully, FilmLA pretty much has you covered. Part of the service included in the filming permit application is the issue of notifications to the residents and businesses about the proposed activity prior to it taking place.
Should someone make a complaint about your shoot, while FilmLA won't conduct a survey of the affected people on your behalf, they will issue you with the necessary standard paperwork so you can do it yourself.
Community Management in Los Angeles
Making a film in Los Angeles is nothing new and those that live and work in the area have seen the procedure a million times before. That's not to say that everything always goes as smoothly as it should. Residents in certain spots that have been used frequently can get tired of having film crews on their doorstep. Businesses may feel having a crew outside their door is inhibiting trade.
Maintaining good relations with the locals is paramount and if FilmLA believes you're going to be filming in a troublespot or your filming activities will bother people, they will assign a FilmLA monitor to be on set as an adjudicator should any problems arise. The cost of a monitor is $37 per hour and is covered by the production company.
Conclusion
Hopefully finding out all of the above information hasn't shattered your dream of filming in Los Angeles. While it might not initially seem as easy or as economical as you thought, there's no denying that planning to film in LA is still exciting.
Filming in Los Angeles does require forethought, dedication to detail, and plenty of forward planning, but it can be done if you make the most of the resources available to you. You won't be doing any filming in LA without being in contact with FilmLA. They're the experts so follow their recommended steps when you're applying for your filming permit. You'll save yourself time, stress, and a massive chunk of your production budget by getting your application right the first time.