About Los Angeles
Shimmering under the hot Southern California sun you can find Los Angeles, one of the most prominent film capitals of the world. Home to a number of A-list celebrities and billionaires, L.A.’s timeless culture and jet-set lifestyle allures thousands of people from around the globe.
There’s no questioning as to why the largest and most successful production companies like Universal, Paramount, and Disney are headquartered throughout the city. Its warm weather, many attractions, and diverse pool of cultures, talents, and innovators are a recipe for new opportunities and creative ideas to happen every day. Add to that L.A.'s abundance of nearby beaches, parks, and forests, not to mention mountain trails, deserts, and industrial warehouses, just hours, if not minutes, away, and it's easy to see why Los Angeles is the best place to have a film shoot. Because, whether your set calls for a shining sandy beach, a green forest escape, or a deserted and dry desert, Los Angeles surely has the venue to do it.
Film Shoot Options in Los Angeles
There is no shortage of filming locations throughout the city. L.A.’s landscape and iconic destinations are adaptive to every event and occasion.
- Homes
Throughout the city, you’ll find a mix of eloquently designed homes ranging from quaint Spanish-style cottages to breathtaking modern mansions that will surely set the mood for any film shoot.
- Film studios
Los Angeles is built for the video and production industry––you’ll find a number of film studios equipped with sufficient lighting, multipurpose rooms, and overall a creative space for teams and independent artists.
- Outdoor spaces
There are a number of grand parks and viewpoints in Los Angeles that are both picture-perfect and functional. Regardless of the scene, both ocean horizons and mountain peaks permit magnificent and panoramic views of the city.
- Industrial or commercial spaces
For more theme-specific occasions that require more customization in decor and space, Los Angeles has plenty of empty warehouses and feasible office spaces that can be uniquely designed to fit any film or production meeting.
- One-of-a-kind settings
Down every boulevard and up every street is iconic and historic in its own way. The city of L.A. is a stunning backdrop no matter where you are and its staple destinations are easily recognizable.
Production Companies in Los Angeles
- Spirinity Productions
Conveying stories through top-notch video and production equipment and talent, Spirinity Productions offers everything under the sun when it comes to film and production services. Spirinity’s services include everything from casting to choreography and video production to public relations, and they’ve been featured in a number of media outlets like CBS, NBC, and Radio Disney.
- Ezra Productions
Ezra Productions is a full-service video and production company with services in both Los Angeles and New York. Since 2012, they’ve been awarded numerous times as top content producers by Telly Awards, Communicator Awards, and Addy Awards, and have been featured in BuzzFeed, Bustle, and LA Times.
- Clum Creative
Specializing in corporate video content and animation, the team of video production experts at Clum Creative works closely with brands to create content that fit the modern-day standards of marketing. With experience in all industries, they have developed brand videos, broadcast commercials, and documentary-style media.
Pros and Cons of Film Shoots in Los Angeles
Advantages
- Great Climate
Los Angeles’ temperatures are generally stable throughout the year. Regardless of location, the city rarely gets overbearingly frigid or scorching hot. Most venues are equipped with air conditioning or portable heaters.
- Vast Services
There’s an endless amount of professional services at your disposal in the city with new opportunities appearing every day. And, with Hollywood so close by, the list of top-quality production crews for hire in Los Angeles just keeps getting bigger.
- Both Indoor & Outdoor Venues
Los Angeles is quite flexible when it comes to space: the city is suitable for any type of film that requires a flexible setting.
- Diverse Culture & Arts
With so many visitors and transplants from around the world, L.A. has adapted to the number of cultures that have shared everything from food, art styles, and traditions.
Disadvantages
- Too Many Options
Although L.A. has a number of services available, it can sometimes get overwhelming when searching for just the right team that fits your vision precisely.
- Expensive Services
Because Los Angeles has a high cost of living, the majority of the services will be costly when compared to other cities.
- Lack of Parking
LA often struggles to supply sufficient parking. Be prepared to pay for metered and structured parking when parking in the city.
- Crime
As with any other major city, crime can be a predicament if precautions aren’t taken into consideration.
- Congested traffic
The infamous Los Angeles traffic is known to many. Once you’re stuck in a gridlock traffic jam, it heavily affects commuting time. It’s ideal to plan ahead or host events outside of peak hours.
Famous Film Shoot Locations in Los Angeles
Need encouragement before your Los Angeles film shoot? Check out these fabulous locales to find your inspiration.
- Santa Monica Pier
With views north and south of California’s Pacific Coast, the 1,600-foot pier is home to a number of food and amusement attractions and hosts its most prominent feature: the Pacific Park Ferris wheel. Notable movies filmed on the pier include Beverly Hills Cop 3, Forrest Gump, and Rocky III. The pier makes an ideal backdrop for many film locations along the beach.
- Griffith Observatory
For films demonstrating the great opportunities that Los Angeles has to offer, the Griffith Observatory makes an excellent film location because of its unbelievable views of the city. As spotlighted in movies like La La Land and The Terminator, the cliff-hanging building gives sights of the downtown skyline and on clear days, views of the Pacific ocean.
- The Sunset Strip
Whether you’re coming from a glamorous Hollywood villa or a modern farm-style home, Sunset Boulevard treats visitors to a handful of bars, clubs, and restaurants. The area’s vibrant neon lights and designer shops blend old and new Hollywood together for a novel Hollywood experience.
