Each year, thousands of visitors to Los Angeles take tours of studio backlots to see where their favorite movies and TV shows are filmed. Many of those visitors, and locals alike, may not realize that much of the region's film production takes place not on a sound-stage, but rather in one of L.A.'s many diverse neighborhoods. Filming outside of a certified soundstage or studio backlot requires a permit from the city, county and/or other local jurisdiction.

FilmL.A.'s core service is to provide expert, centralized coordination of multi-jurisdictional on-location filming permits in the world's highest-volume film production region.

Our team of coordinators works hand-in-hand with our client jurisdictions to obtain the agency or government approvals necessary for the permit to be issued. Special requests such as pyrotechnics, gunfire, aerial activity and street closures may require more extensive coordination through departments such as police and fire, transportation and public works.

The process of film permitting is enhanced by the following ancillary services:

• Community relations. FilmL.A.'s job is to facilitate on-location filming in a way that minimizes inconvenience to communities. We proactively establish an open rapport with local neighborhoods and coordinate permits with their concerns in mind.
• Community notification of filming. FilmL.A. performs uniform, consistent notification to communities to ensure that residents and businesses are well-informed in advance of filming activity.
• Advance production planning assistance. Advance planning helps filmmakers understand neighborhood concerns and/or restrictions and pre-empts conflict. It can even reduce the cost of production.
• Compilation and reporting of production-related data. FilmL.A. is asked routinely for production information, analysis and counsel by government representatives, economists, and members of the media.