So, you’ve scouted several potential locations, picked out your favorites, and made sure they’re in FilmLA’s service area. Before you write the property owner a check or make any commitments, please give us a call to discuss the location and your intended filming plans.
Also, check out our FAQ for answers to many popular questions.
Our Production Planning Team will save you time and money by guiding you through permit requirements, as well as the unique needs of area communities. Count on us for help with:
- Counseling on past productions’ experience in a given area
- Budgeting questions
- Working in areas with special conditions
- Reservations for city owned properties
- Coordination of Angeles National Forest permits
- Please see Area Requirements for application submission deadlines
You will be required to furnish proof of liability insurance before FilmLA can coordinate and release your permit. Insurance requirements will vary depending on the areas you intend to film, and the activities you plan to conduct on location.
Before you submit your permit application, start your search for insurance with a review of our partial list of licensed local insurance carriers.
Our staff will supply further guidance on insurance requirements once we receive your film permit application.
Do I need to purchase Workers’ Comp?
Yes, even employers with one employee are required to carry Workers’ Compensation (Labor Code Section 3357). Even those with 1099 workers only may require coverage. Please speak to an insurance professional for more information.
Worker’s Compensation Legal Information
Do I need a broker to purchase Workers’ Comp?
No, the State of California established State Fund, a non-profit Workers’ Comp Insurance provider with fairly priced workers’ compensation.
Once you’ve researched your locations and secured insurance, you’re ready to submit your permit application. Submitting your application is easy using our custom-built
Online Permit System (OPS).
Once your application is accepted and a confirmation notice is sent to you, your project will be assigned to one of our knowledgeable Production Coordinators.
Your Coordinator will be your point person for the remainder of the process. His or her primary responsibility is to create a permit that addresses community concerns while securing the permissions you need from appropriate local authorities.
Because all film permit situations are unique, your coordinator may ask you to fulfill other requirements as a condition of permit release. These requirements could include, but are not limited to:
- Performing a filming survey
- Meeting with concerned community members
- Applying for additional permits (for example animal use, etc.)
- Organizing walk-throughs for public safety personnel
- Paying activity-based use, personnel and inspection fees
- Utilizing a FilmLA Monitor in sensitive areas
- Please see Area Requirements for application submission deadlines
The best way to ensure a warm welcome for your production is to show respect for the communities you are filming in.
When you work with FilmLA, we will help you by distributing official “Notices of Filming” to all residences and businesses located in the area near your location. These Notices contain details you’ve provided about when you will be filming, the activities to be filmed and whom community members can call to share their concerns. The Notices are typically distributed two business days ahead of your first day of production.
Along with that, we encourage you to distribute your own letters on production company letterhead describing the filming activities and providing your contact information.
Whether you choose to distribute a letter or introduce yourself to community members face-to-face, bear in mind that other filmmakers will have to follow in your footsteps. Being a good neighbor will help the crew that films there after you.
You will not be allowed to begin filming until you collect your finalized film permit. There are several ways to pay for and take delivery of your permit once it is readied for release.
Our consolidated payment option allows you to pay for most of your permit-related fees in a single transaction. Your finalized permit will include a cover invoice with a detailed breakdown of fees.
Customers who apply using our Online Permit System (OPS) are able to pay for transactions using all popular credit cards. Additionally, you may also participate in our optional “Permits on Account” credit program can request immediate email delivery of permits.
Other delivery options include free in-office pickup or low-cost delivery. Payment is generally accepted in the form of cash, money order, cashier’s check or company check, though some restrictions apply based on permit type.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, in-person forms of payments (i.e. cash, company checks) are temporarily suspended until further notice.
