City Guide Filming in Marina, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Fee - $255 non-refundable
- Business License Fee - $100
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability Insurance
- Workers Compensation
- Property Damage
- Automobile Liability
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Marina
Marina is a city in Monterey County, California, with probably the most natural coastal aspect of any in the state. While the urbanization itself is modern and relatively low-rise for one of its size, the city's magnificent beaches that line the edge of Monterey Bay have remained unspoiled by exploitation of any kind.
It's the wild and unspoiled landscapes surrounding Marina, as well as the city streets itself, that have attracted filmmakers over the years, making it one of the sought-after spots to film at in central California. You’ll find this idyllic location roughly between Monterey and Santa Cruz.
Producers scouting for external locations untouched by the human hand have found Marina ideal for both science fiction and Western movies. If you have a character in your script you want to see struggling in a desert island environment without going to a desert island, you've found your filming location. Monterey Bay is a top surf action spot, too, so if you need some waves with no hotels in the background, you may have just struck filming gold.
Watch antiquated episodes of the long running series Star Trek, and once you get to know Marina's sand-strewn state parks and dune areas, you'll probably have a light bulb moment of recognition. It's since those early but exciting days of film and television that this area of Monterey County has been recognized as being film-friendly.
As filmmaker friendly as Marina may be, it's a city that has quite rigid guidelines in place for production companies to follow when they're going to be filming in areas that fall within its jurisdiction. Don't let that hold you back.
Get started investigating what sort of filming locations are available in this paradisiacal part of California by having a quick look on Giggster. Once you've found the amazing locations for your production, it'll be time to move on to the next step in the process.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Marina?
Yes, you will need to obtain a film permit if you're planning on filming in Marina. Depending on the locations you've chosen, you may need more than a regular filming permit. You will also need a business license and be required to sign several other forms.
Before you can submit an application for a film permit for Marina, you'll need to download and complete the application for a business license. The business license application form can be downloaded from the City of Marina's official website and must be submitted with your filming permit request.
If you are a non-profit organization or student production company, you may be exempt from obtaining a business license. This also applies to independent artists and disabled veterans. If you're not sure whether to apply for a business license or not, contact the City of Marina.
With the business license application form, you will also need to submit
A waiver agreement Hold harmless agreement Parks and Recreation Department application if filming in parks
After completing the filming permit form
Name of the person or company employing the cast and crew A contact name, number, and email address The title of the film and a summary of its content The chosen filming locations Dates and times of filming at each location The number of cast and crew, including animals, involved If sidewalks or streets will need to be closed If city personnel such as police officers are required A map denoting the chosen filming locations
Permit Management in Marina
City of Marina Film Office & Others
Film permitting for Marina is managed by the City of Marina Film Office for locations within the city and the City Of Marina Department of Culture and Recreational Services for locations in Marina's parks.
California State Parks, the California Film Commission State Parks Coordinator, and the California Film Commission manage locations in State Parks and Reserves as well as the majority of state roads.
There is no standard time allotted for the processing of film permits for Marina. Each project is treated by the City of Marina Film Office on an individual basis. You can expect the permit application process to take at least three weeks and if yours is a complex production, then expect it to take longer.
While the permitting process may be a lengthy one compared to other cities in California, such as Los Angeles, the City of Marina Film Office will liaise with other city departments for you, like the police or fire department, should that be required.
What Insurance Do I Need in Marina?
To obtain the requisite film permit that allows you to film in Marina, you will be expected to provide a valid liability insurance certificate. This must be submitted along with all the other documentation requested with your permit application.
The amounts quoted by the City of Marina Film Office are the minimum requirements. If your production is a large one, involves dangerous stunts or special effects, or has a large cast and crew, you may need to take out higher coverage. To be on the safe side and to make sure your permit isn't denied for lack of insurance coverage, consult with the film office before purchasing.
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 Marina?
If you spotted the Cypress Knolls barracks in Marina and thought they would make an ideal filming location for your script, be it military or horror or whatever, you wouldn't be far wrong. As great a spot as they may be for all manner of productions, they are in a very deteriorated condition. That doesn't mean you can't get a permit to film there, just that the City of Marina won't be responsible if you film there and any accidents should occur.
Old, dilapidated barracks aside, there are plenty more, let's say, much more attractive filming locations in Marina for external shoots. The Vince DiMaggio Park and Gardens area is a beautiful grassy green space with mature trees plus an attractive wooden hall perfect for filming social events like weddings or parties. Del Monte Boulevard, where the park is located, is great if you're looking for a quiet urban street to film on.
For something with not quite so manicured appearance, take a look at Locke-Paddon Park. This is a community park that's still within the city limits but contains 17 acres of wetland inhabited by birds of all descriptions.
The three main draws for outdoor filming locations in Marina, though, are, without a doubt, Marina State Beach, Marina Dunes Preserve, and the Fort Ord Dunes State Park. They're in a league of their own for wild and undeveloped coastal shots.
One very special filming location that you won't find anywhere else in the country is the Fort Ord Veterinary Station. The six historic buildings are inside the Marina Equestrian Park and date back to the days of WW2 when it was the military equestrian hospital.
In Marina, you can forget car chases and do something totally different that's perfect for several film genres, including action and comedy. The city boasts a company that hires handcars that run along a disused six-mile-long section of the Monterey Branch railway line. It cuts through Fort Ord Dunes State Park, where there are no houses and scenic ocean views all the way. It's fun and definitely one of Marina's more unique filming locations.
Special Requirements in Marina
Filming In Marina's Parks & Recreation Areas
If one of your chosen filming locations in Marina is a park or recreation area, before you can apply for a filming permit, you will need to contact the Recreation and Cultural Services Department. Once you've ascertained the location’s availability and the park manager has agreed to the activity, you will need to complete an application form which should be submitted along with your film permit application.
Each recreational area and the facilities within them have different rental fees. You will be informed of the total costs payable during the application process. The production company is billed for the rental charges as well as the use of any park employees.
Filming On Marina State Beach
To be able to film on Marina State Beach, you will first need to contact the California State Parks Film Coordinator. They will liaise with you on availability, advise you of the guidelines, and, if they agree with your filming project, give you the go-ahead to apply for a filming permit from the California Film Commission. This process also applies to Fort Ord Dunes State Park.
NB: If you film in any of the state parks in Marina, you will be asked to mention California State Parks and the location you filmed at in the production credits.
Filming At Marina Municipal Airport
If your script calls for aircraft take-offs or landings and you'd like to film that at the Marina Municipal Airport or use any of the facilities there for filming purposes, you will need to contact the Airport Manager and Economic Development Manager directly.
Once you have discussed your project details with them, they will inform you if filming at the airport is possible or not. If you get the thumbs up, you will be advised of fees and, depending on whether or not you're using other Marina locations for filming, whether or not you will need a Marina City film permit.
Filming On Marina Handcars
Should you decide to film on the handcars in Marina, then you will first need to contact the relevant company directly. If they agree with your filming activity, they have availability on the dates you require, and you're happy to pay the required fees from your budget, then you will need a filming permit from the City of Marina.
What Does it Cost to Film in Marina?
The City of Marina charges a one-off non-refundable application fee for a filming permit. The film permit fee is completely separate from the fee charged for a business license. The permit fee does not include any charges you may incur for the rental of public or private property or facilities or the use of city employees.
Additional Fees
Permit fees should be paid by check to the City of Marina and sent with your permit application submission. Film permit fees for non-profit organizations and student productions may be waived, but this happens at the sole discretion of the film office and is not guaranteed.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Marina?
Marina occupies a prestigious location on the central coast of California, approximately halfway between Monterey and Moss Landing. It covers almost ten square miles of Monterey County, and although it is fronted by ocean, just one square mile of the city's terrain is taken up by water in the form of ponds, lakes, and wetlands. Urbanization in Marina has been kept away from the coastline, which is protected by preserves and state parks onshore and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and the Portuguese Ledge State Marine Conservation Area offshore. As natural and undeveloped as the coastline may be, the city is still home to around 23,000 people. To the west, Marina's boundary is edged by the expanse of Fort Ord Dunes State Park, Marina State Beach, and Marina Dunes Preserve, beyond which lies Monterey Bay and the waters of the North Pacific Ocean. To the north, Marina is bordered by the city of Neponset and the Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge. The unincorporated community of Blanco borders Marina to the east, as do the cities of Salinas and Boronda. To the south, Marina is bordered by the Bayonet and Black Horse golf courses, beyond which are the cities of Seaside and Sand City.
Outreach in Marina
When considering granting a film permit to any production company, the City of Marina film office will first assess the project to calculate the disruption it may cause to the community. Marina is a quiet and relaxed place where the city authorities put the residents and local businesses first.
While having a film crew and cast wandering the streets or setting up for action might be an interesting diversion to some, it's not to everyone. If the film office considers your project may have a negative impact on the community, they will request you to conduct outreach.
Should the film office require you to do outreach, you will be required to produce a notification to be distributed to all residential and business addresses around your chosen filming locations. The standard details the notification should contain are:
The title of the production
The name of the production company
The dates of the film shoot
The exact location of the film shoot
What street or sidewalk closures will occur
A contact name and number
You will need to submit to the film office a complete list of the names, addresses, and contact numbers, if available, of all the residents and businesses that the notification has been distributed to.
NB: If you are going to be filming in the Cypress Knolls area of Marina, then the film office will provide you with a list of property addresses you will need to notify about your filming activities.
Community Management in Marina
You may think that you won't need a community manager on your team if you're filming somewhere like Marina State Beach. You'd be wrong. Wherever you plan to film in Marina, it's a good idea to designate the role of community manager to a specific person and preferably one who has good public relations skills.
Die-hard conservationists and other members of the public, in general, might not be overly pleased to see your cast and crew trampling over the pristine sands of the beach. Even if you're not causing any damage, they may think you are, so any complaints need to be dealt with in a calm but firm way so you can carry on filming. In this case, a good community manager will have informed themselves about the area you're filming in and be able to convince anybody that what you're doing is environmentally friendly.
Outreach in Marina can be a time-consuming activity and to be able to extract contact numbers from strangers isn't always the easiest of occupations. A good community manager who is happy chatting with people they've never met will have a better chance of getting hold of the information you need, so it's a good task to delegate to them.
If you're filming on the streets of Marina or even on private property, there's always some curious bystander. You won't have time to answer 20 questions about what you're doing or why you're there, but a community manager will. Leave chatting to the nosey public to them, and you'll have a less stressful time while you're filming.
Conclusion
There's really no debating that the City of Marina is a superb filming location. It's blessed with wild natural areas, unspoiled beaches, dunes, and uninterrupted ocean views you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the state of California.
Marina is a film-friendly city, and even though the permitting process is a little long-winded, it's not going to break your budget. Yes, they have a few filming rules and regulations you need to follow, but they're nowhere near rigid enough to put you off filming there.
Once you’ve scouted out the right locations for your script and gone through the application process for a business license and a film permit, the only other thing you need to prepare is a picnic to eat on the beach when you’ve finished shooting.