Film LA Checklist
- Val Douroux
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
As a Location Scout in the Location Managers Guild International™, I help projects film all over the world, and of all places, LA is tricky for even the most seasoned Creators. Of all the organizations, you should know: Film LA is one of the most expensive and last-minute to issue permits. As long as you know this information, you'll breath easy. Here's everything you need to know about filming in LA:
Check the jurisdiction:
Film LA covers A LOT of LA, but not everywhere. If you want to film in Burbank, Pasadena, Culver City, Diamond Bar, Fullerton, Gardena, Industry, Lancaster, Monterey Park, Newport Beach, Palmdale, San Fernando, South Gate, Vernon, LAX or Los Angeles County beaches and harbors, they all have their own permitting process.
You need a permit when you:
Use public streets
Have sticks on the sidewalk
Need to shut the roads down
Equipment trucks on public roads
Have a noticeable impact on public activity
Have a commercial project filming on public or private property (which includes any project with commercial value like feature films, TV shows, or online content).
Now, if you're a cutie out here achieving your dreams (without commercial money), don't worry. Your energy doesn't even belong in the realm of pulling permits. Stay blissfully free from unnecessary bureaucracy. Utilize your resources, keep a low-profile and guerrilla your project. "Filming for personal enjoyment or news segments are generally exempt." - Film LA.
When you have commercial money, permits are necessary. They ensure that your production is protected. Especially from law enforcement (which as I'm writing that sentence.... A permit will quiet them. However, you do want to be conscious of your surroundings and make sure your production doesn't impede on anyone's freedom). You want a permit to protect your project, crew, time, and energy.
Costs associated with a Film LA permit
As you prepare for a permit, prepare for the following fees:
Note: a "rider" is an amendment to a previously issued film permit that allows for necessary changes, such as unforeseen delays or a shift in creative direction
Base and standard fees
Permit Application Fee: Around $931 for up to 5 locations and 7 consecutive days.
Permit Rider Fee (During Business Hours): Approximately $148.75 per rider.
Permit Rider Fee (After Business Hours): Approximately $208 per rider.
Still Photo Application Fee: Around $104 per permit (requires Motion Rate if cast/crew is 16+).
Still Photo Rider Fee: Approximately $31 per rider.
Additional administrative fees (as of July 1, 2024)
LAFD Spot Check Surcharge: $271 for crews of 16 or more.
Drone/Helicopter/Gunfire/Special FX Administration Fees: Approximately $78 per involved location.
Lane Closure Administration Fee: Approximately $78 per involved location.
Notification Fee: Around $232 per base radius.
Other potential costs
FilmLA Monitor Fee: Around $44.50 per hour, charged in hourly increments with minimums applying.
State of California Fees: The California Film Commission does not charge a processing fee, but state agencies like Caltrans may charge for review, on-site inspection, and monitor fees, especially during complex activities.
City and Jurisdiction Fees: Many individual cities have their own fees, such as street closure fees, Filming Use Fees, or application fees that are separate from FilmLA.
Mandatory Personnel: You may be required to hire and pay for specific personnel, such as a Fire Safety Officer ($140/hour with a 4-hour minimum in Burbank) or other city/police personnel.
Specialized requirements: Fees may apply for specific needs like on-site Fire Safety Officer, LA County Sheriff presence, or private property owner rentals.
If you're quoting a client, add an appropriate $% buffer based on the complexity of the shoot. If you want to shut down roads or use pyrotechnics, the cost of uplling a permit is totally worth it. If you're a simpleton, you may be shocked: The first time I pulled a permit in LA, my client and I had to pause at the cost of "Monitors" and "Notifying neighbors" alone. We filmed at the Academy of Motion Pictures and had to pay for Film LA to notify the "neighbor"... Which was LACMA. We filmed in Griffith Park and paid $44.50/hour just to have a Monitor watch us. Having this intel will cut un-fun surprises and allow your production to properly budget.
WARNING: Film LA issues permits in the 11th hour. Don't worry, that's just how they operate. The greatest thing about Film LA is that you can get a permit within 72 hours on business days. The grossest thing about Film LA is that no matter how much time you plan, that permit may come no sooner than 11pm the night before your film shoot. It happens working on your own or paying extra to hire an agency built on permitting with Film LA. That last minute delivery time is a rite of passage!
I mainly say this to prepare and advocate for better timing.
The best advice when it comes to filming in LA: Pull permits for clients and guerrilla your passion projects. & While you're doing it! Realize you're making your dreams come true. If you found this article helpful - love and share it.
Check out my maps and dream big!
✅ Val Douroux’s Ultimate Filming in Los Angeles Checklist
A free tool for filmmakers, creators, and visionaries ready to shoot in LA like a pro.
🎬 1. Pre-Production Planning
□ Finalize script / shot list
□ Confirm locations + alternates
□ Lock cast & crew
□ Create a visual mood board
□ Build your shooting schedule (call sheet)
□ Budget for permits, location fees, food, and transport
□ Backup plan for weather & sound issues
📍 2. Location Scouting Essentials
□ Identify your LA filming zone:
• Downtown LA
• Beach Cities (Venice/Santa Monica/Malibu)
• Hollywood / Griffith Park
• Pasadena / Pasadena Hills
• Desert (Palm Springs / Joshua Tree)
• Old Town / Warehouse / Industrial Areas
□ Time of day for best natural light
□ Noise levels (traffic, planes, crowds)
□ Parking + loading access
□ Bathrooms nearby
□ Power source available
□ Safety review: terrain, animals, foot traffic
□ Confirm if permit is required
✔ Pro tip: If it looks like a movie set, it probably needs a permit.
📄 3. Permits & Permissions
□ Check film permit requirements (FilmLA)
□ Obtain property owner permission
□ Secure proof of insurance
□ Carry digital & printed copies of permits
□ Notify neighbors or nearby businesses if needed
🎥 4. Gear Checklist
□ Camera(s) + backup
□ Lenses (wide, prime, telephoto)
□ Fully charged batteries + extras
□ Memory cards / external drives
□ Tripod / monopod / gimbal
□ Microphones (shotgun or lav)
□ Audio recorder
□ Headphones
□ Light kit / reflectors / diffusers
□ Extension cords / power bank
🚗 5. Transportation & Timing Reality
□ Double LA travel time
□ Leave early for traffic
□ Assign a runner / parking coordinator
□ Download offline maps
□ Confirm unloading zone
LA rule: If it takes 30 minutes on Google Maps, it’s really 60.
👥 6. Talent & Crew
□ Share call time + location pin
□ Provide parking instructions
□ Confirm wardrobe & backup outfits
□ Confirm hair / makeup arrival times
□ Gather photo releases & contracts
□ Safe word / code for crowd control
🍕 7. Food, Water & Comfort
□ Water (more than you think)
□ Snacks / meals
□ Sunscreen
□ Hand sanitizer / wipes
□ Mini first aid kit
□ Portable shade / chairs
Happy crew = beautiful footage.
📸 8. Shoot Day Power Moves
□ Capture establishing shots
□ Film golden hour footage
□ Get b-roll: signs, textures, details, people, sky
□ Record 30 seconds of natural ambient sound
□ Take BTS photos & vertical video
□ Create 5–10 social media clips on site
💻 9. Post-Production Musts
□ Backup footage TWICE
□ Label files properly
□ Save best stills for promo
□ Edit vertical + horizontal versions
□ Add captions
□ Prepare YouTube + TikTok + IG assets
🌟 10. Star Energy Checklist
□ Show up confident
□ Dress for the role (even if behind camera)
□ Say your name clearly on camera
□ Practice introduction / elevator pitch
□ Share your socials + website
🥳✨
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