City Guide Filming in Woodland Hills, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Permit Application - $863 for up to ten locations
- Permit Rider Fee - $137 per rider per permit change
- FilmLA Monitor Fee - $41 per hour as required
- Fire Review Fee - $282 per permit for cast and crew over 15 people if required
- Fire Safety Officer - $196.99 per hour. Minimum 4 hours if required
- Fire Safety Advisor - $56.55 per hour. Minimum 4 hours if required
- Student Permit Fees - $33 for simple productions
- Student Permit Fees - $124 for complex productions
- Non-Profit Permit Application Fee - $69
- Non-Profit Permit Rider Fee - $34
- Notification Fee - $215 per base radius
- Permit - $250
- Each Additional Day - $25
- Standard Fee - $288
Minimum Insurance
- Commercial General Liability - $1,000,000 per occurrence
- Auto Liability - $1,000,000 per occurrence
- Proof of Workers Compensation - $1,000,000 per occurrence
- Aircraft or Drone Use - $5,000,000 only if applicable
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Woodland Hills
Woodland Hills is a neighborhood of Los Angeles that is not only film-friendly, but cares about the people who have worked in the film industry, music industry or have been professional athletes. While the neighborhood does have private care and retirement facilities for actors, musicians and sports folk, so far Woodland Hills is yet to come into its own as a filming location.
Just because Woodland Hills frequently plays second fiddle to more popular filming locations like Hollywood and Los Angeles, doesn't mean you should overlook it when scouting. It's a neighborhood with some great attributes you may want to take into consideration.
Marc Lee, the director of the 2012 blockbuster The Amazing Spider Man, saw the potential of Woodland Hills and filmed scenes at the Taft High School as well as several other locations around the neighborhood. The 2011 movie, Crazy Stupid Love starring Steve Carrell, Ryan Gosling, and Emma Stone also featured the exact same school.
Another point Woodland Hills has in its favor is its proximity to the Topanga State Park and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. State Route 27, Topanga Canyon Boulevard that runs south out of Woodland Hills, has in the past proved more interesting to filmmakers as a filming location than the neighborhood itself.
In truth, as a filming location, Woodland Hills has a lot more going for it than you might initially think. It also has a few filming guidelines you’ll need to be aware of before you start shooting.
Whether you're scouting for fantastic external locations or interesting internal ones in Woodland Hills, get to know what’s available by making a preliminary search on Giggster. You'll discover some of the best shoot locations in Woodland Hills and find out whether or not they fall within your budget range.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Woodland Hills?
Woodland Hills is a neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles and is located in Los Angeles County, so if you're planning to shoot any type of commercial production, you will need a film permit. This rule applies regardless of whether you are going to be filming on private or public property.
The majority of applications for a film permit to film in Woodland Hills will be processed in three working days. It's always good to allow a little extra time though, just in case any unexpected complications arise. The day you submit your application isn't included in that time frame.
Student Film Permits
Students who wish to film in Woodland Hills are eligible for a discounted permit fee. To obtain a discounted permit, you will be required to submit paperwork from your college or place of study proving it is a student production or part of your course work.
Non-profit Organization Film Permits
Non-profit organizations wishing to film in Woodland Hills are eligible for a discounted permit fee. You will be asked to submit proof it's a non-profit production when submitting your permit application.
Special Effects Permit
If you plan on using special effects such as pyrotechnics during your shoot in Woodland Hills, you will need to apply for a permit from the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Outside of Hours Filming
Regular filming hours in Woodland Hills are between seven in the morning and ten at night. If you want to film outside of those hours, you will need to apply for special permission. Before you're granted permission to film outside of the set standard hours, you may be required to conduct a neighborhood survey to make sure everyone is in agreement with your activity.
Permit Management in Woodland Hills
FilmLA
The issue of film permits for filming in Woodland Hills is managed by FilmLA. FilmLA is a non-profit, Los Angeles-based organization that controls permitting in the City of Los Angeles, the majority of its neighborhoods, and numerous other locations in Los Angeles County.
FilmLA handles all film permit applications online via an app called MyFilm LA. The application process is a simple one but does require you to submit relevant documentation such as insurance certificates or a student certification letter during the procedure.
Once you've registered with MyFilmLA and submitted your initial application, you will be assigned an official FilmLA Permit Coordinator who will assist you through the rest of the process. They may also request extra documentation if they deem it necessary. Students applying for a film permit will be assigned a Student Permit Coordinator.
Your FilmLA permit coordinator will also advise you on whether or not your production will require additional permits and permissions or require safety inspections by the Los Angeles Fire department.
All filming permits to film in Woodland Hills issued by FilmLA cover up to ten locations and are usually valid for fourteen days.
What Insurance Do I Need in Woodland Hills?
All commercial production companies who wish to film in Woodland Hills are required to have valid liability insurance. This includes both student production companies and non-profit organizations.
The minimum insurance coverage required can vary depending on the size of the production and the location of the shoot. Before contracting any insurance coverage, you should consult with a FilmLA insurance specialist who will advise you on the amount of coverage needed for your individual 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 Woodland Hills?
Woodland Hills can, in some senses, be compared to a magician who pulls a surprise out of their sleeve. Start scouting for filming locations in Woodland Hills, and you'll find yourself open-mouthed, saying oh, that's interesting, and being pleasantly surprised by what you encounter.
When you need houses and apartments for internal scenes, Woodland Hills delivers big time and with a generous amount of diversity too. In this LA neighborhood, there are deluxe mansions with their own stone turrets, bungalows ideal for suburban family homes, lavish properties with swimming pools, and even one with a Hawaii-style wooden hut in the back garden.
Architectural types vary too, so you won't be limited if you're looking for something Spanish hacienda-style, chateau-style or ultra-modern and as square as they come. Need a specific style of furnishings? In Woodland Hills, you'll come across rooms decked out in everything from antiques to vintage 50s, 60s, and 70s furnishings to today's in-vogue trends.
There are some great business filming locations available in Woodland Hills. If you're scouting for a doctor's clinic, a 1950s diner, a classy bar, a gym or an upmarket event venue, you won't be scouting for long before you find what you need.
Outdoor filming locations in Woodland Hills are quietly impressive too. In this neighborhood, you'll come across a western barn, a zen patio complete with palm trees, boho terraces with sunset views, and a garage bar perfect for a man cave.
Worth a mention, too, are the vast amount of classic cars ready and waiting for your actors to get behind the wheel. There's really everything from Corvettes to Cadillacs to Chevrolets to super stylish, vintage Buicks that will add class to any scene.
When you need the cast to be hiking or cycling down trails or riding horses through the countryside, the Summit Valley Edmund D. Edelman Park is just a couple of miles away. For dramatic scenery, the Top of Topanga Overlook on Topanga Canyon Boulevard is worth your time to check it out.
Whatever type of filming location you need, it's in Woodland Hills somewhere. In truth, even if you see some you can't use for the script you're working on, believe it, you'll be making notes about them for future reference.
Special Requirements in Woodland Hills
Filming On MRCA Property
Several parks around Woodland Hills fall under the jurisdiction of the MRCA. They include the Summit Valley Edmund D. Edelman Park, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and the Top of Topanga Overlook. To film in any of these locations, you will be required to apply for a film permit from the MRCA.
The only way to apply for a film permit to film on MRCA property is to submit an initial request via their official website. The request is dealt with by the authority's Filming and Photography Specialist who will contact you concerning your project once the email has been received.
The specialist will advise you on the way to proceed and if any fees will be incurred for the use of the property. They will also advise you on whether or not your chosen filming location is the best for your production. The MRCA has many properties, some of which are equipped with helipads, bunk houses, ranches, ponds, and athletic facilities, so be open for recommendations and maybe even change.
Filming With Animals In Los Angeles County
When your production involves the use of any animal, be it a horse, pooch, python, or parrot, you will be required by law to apply for an Animal Exhibition Permit. An animal exhibition permit is issued by the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control. You will need a permit whether the animal in question belongs to you or if it's hired for the occasion.
You can download an application form for an animal exhibition permit from the FilmLA website. The form is located in the section dedicated to the special requirements for Los Angeles County. Completed applications must be mailed to the relevant office along with the required payment in check form. No other form of submission is accepted.
The address to mail the completed form and check to is:-
County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control Facility License Program
12440 E, Imperial Highway
Suite 603, Norwalk
California, 90650
Cost of an Animal Exhibition Permit
Permit - $250
Each Additional Day - $25
Consult with the department before submitting if you are in doubt about how much to write the check out for.
Special Effects Permits
When your film shoot involves any type of special effects, you will need to apply for a Special Effects Permit from the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Public Safety and Film Unit.
Application forms for a special effects permit can be downloaded from the FilmLA website in the Los Angeles County special requirements section. The form should be completed and returned to:-
Los Angeles County Fire Department
Fire Prevention Division – Public safety and Film Unit
14425 Olive View Drive
Sylmar
California, 91342
Completed forms can be submitted either by mail, fax, or email. The fire department does not specify when the fee should be paid, so consult with them before submitting your application.
Special Effects Permit
Standard Fee - $288
Filming In California State Parks
When your chosen filming location falls inside somewhere like Topanga State Park, you will be required to contact the relevant California State Parks Film Commission Permit Coordinator. They will advise you on the application you will subsequently need to make for a film permit from the California Film Commission.
What Does it Cost to Film in Woodland Hills?
Filming anywhere in Los Angeles County incurs fees, including the neighborhood of Woodland Hills. Below you'll find a breakdown of the general costs you may face, but they may not be the only ones.
Additional Fees
The final cost for any production company's film shoot depends on the size of the production, the disruptions it may cause to the local community, the length of the film shoot, and fees for neighborhood notifications, plus any other fees the various governmental departments may charge you. Please note that FilmLA does not have control over the film-related fees charged by the authorities or its government partners.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Woodland Hills?
Woodland Hills is relatively petite compared to some of the City of Los Angeles' other two-hundred and seventy-one neighborhoods. Its population of almost seventy thousand fits snugly in the embrace of the San Fernando Valley without spilling over into much of the surrounding countryside.
Woodland Hills' southern expansion has been halted by the Topanga State Park and its southeasterly by the Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park, the Corbin Canyon Park, and the LA neighborhood of Tarzana.
To the southwest, Woodland Hills is bordered by the cities of Calabasas and Hidden Hills. The Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Reserve prevents its extension to the northwest. The urban limits of Woodland Hills in the north reach as far as the Los Angeles neighborhoods of West Hills, Canoga Park, and Winnetka.
Outreach in Woodland Hills
The bonus of choosing Woodland Hills as a filming location is that it falls under the jurisdiction of FilmLA. Where outreach is concerned, that's a good thing unless you're on a budget that doesn't allow you any expenditure whatsoever other than cast and crew.
FilmLA take it upon themselves as a part of their managerial duty to distribute notifications about filming activity to the communities and businesses which may be affected by your filming activity. It's not a free service, but at the end of the day, it would probably cost you more to do it yourself, so there's not really a good reason to complain about the fee they charge.
All FilmLA asks is that you make your permit application on time so they have three days or more to distribute notifications to the neighborhoods concerned. If it's a major production that might cause more disruptions, then a little more time is required and greatly appreciated. The good thing is that while FilmLA does the notifications, you can get on with doing something much more interesting and fun.
Community Management in Woodland Hills
The simple fact that FilmLA may have carried out a notification service about your filming activity doesn't mean that problems won't arise before, during, or after your film shoot. Woodland Hills still isn't a Los Angeles filming location that's been overused, but that doesn't mean you won't encounter a persnickety person, or in modern terms, a Karen, who rejoices in complaining about nothing.
If the worst should happen and someone complains about your activities directly to FilmLA, you may be required to conduct a survey of the residents and businesses around your shoot location. FilmLA won't do the survey for you, but they will provide the paperwork for you to do it.
It's always a good idea, no matter the cost, to have a community manager on site while you’re filming. They can complete tasks such as surveys and deal with the Karens of this world if they appear on set and try to disrupt the shoot.
Hire a community manager that's great at public relations and they'll turn a testy, bad-tempered Karen into a pliable onlooker in less than a minute, even if they have to convince them they're going to be a film extra in a blockbuster movie to do it. That talent alone is worth its weight in gold.
Conclusion
Woodland Hills is no stranger to the film industry and is well equipped in many ways to make your production a success from start to finish. From terrific locations to clear guidelines on permits and requirements, this city is ready for the next big movie hit.