About Highland Park
Highland Park is a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. The area is known for its historic buildings, such as the Highland Theatre and the Lummis House. It features a cooler climate than Los Angeles due to its elevation, making it an ideal place for outdoor filming projects. Plenty of parks and public spaces with an array of cityscape views make excellent backdrops for films and television shows. The community has been home to numerous productions, including This Is Us, Transparent, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
Filming in Highland Park offers many advantages; it’s close to downtown Los Angeles while maintaining the small-town feel of a suburb. Its diverse streetscapes and period architecture offer production teams various locations to work with without traveling too far. Additionally, the neighborhood is film-friendly: local businesses often welcome production crews into their establishments, while residents typically support productions filmed in their community. This makes shooting in Highland Park convenient and cost-effective for filmmakers who want to recreate vintage LA vibes on camera.
Filming Options in Highland Park
- Production Companies
Production companies are the key players in the film industry. They manage the entire process, from pre-production to post-production, ensuring that all aspects of a project are taken care of. Production companies in Highland Park have access to various filming locations, such as parks, businesses, and residential areas. These production companies also provide logistical support, including transportation and crewing services.
- Location Scouts
Location scouts are an important part of any filmmaking production. They visit various places to assess whether it suits a particular scene or project. Working closely with directors and producers, location scouts can recommend potential locations and provide detailed information about each location’s features and constraints. Location scouts in Highland Park have access to various outdoor and indoor locations like historic neighborhoods, parks, public spaces, and more.
- Camera and Lighting
Camera and lighting rental companies provide filmmakers with top-of-the-line gear at competitive rates. When shooting in Highland Park, renters can get various cameras, lenses, audio recorders, lights, grip equipment, generators, and more. These companies also offer knowledgeable personnel who can help guide you through the technical aspects of filming so that you can focus on getting the perfect shot for your project.
Filming Vendors in Highland Park
- The Vision Field
The Vision Field is a Los Angeles-based multimedia production company specializing in filming and video production for many clients. They offer their award-winning cinematography and editing skills to diverse industries, from weddings to film and TV. Led by Laura Roccia and Erica Ford, The Vision Field is committed to innovative and impactful work. With over ten years of experience in directing, producing, shooting, editing, and audio, their work is truly remarkable.
- Los Angeles Camera Rentals
Los Angeles Camera Rentals has provided good-quality rental equipment for professional filmmakers, photographers, and audio engineers for filming and videos for over ten years. They offer a comprehensive inventory of digital video cameras, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, lenses, filters, accessories, and more. Whether it's cinema production or fashion photography, their qualified staff can provide the tools and know-how to help make any project successful.
- Enlightened Pictures
Established in 2002, Enlightened Pictures is a comprehensive video production company that provides high-quality and cost-effective video production and filming services. Collaborating with businesses and non-profit organizations, their goal is to capture the essence of their products and services. Their services include cinematography, aerial drone photography, and post-production services such as animation and sound mixing.
Pros and Cons of Filmings in Highland Park
When considering where to rent filming locations for your project, it is vital to consider the pros and cons of doing so in Highland Park:
Advantages
- Accessibility: Highland Park is conveniently located near Los Angeles and is easily accessible to actors and crew by car.
- Variety: There are diverse filming locations available in the area that can add interesting texture and variety to projects.
- Cost: Renting filming locations in Highland Park can be more cost-effective than renting in neighboring cities or other parts of California.
- Local Services: Highland Park offers various services that filmmakers may need when producing their projects, such as equipment rentals, catering services, etc.
Disadvantages
- Noise Pollution: Depending on the filming location chosen, noise from traffic can become an issue during filming.
- Limited Space: Some of the streets in Highland Park are narrow, limiting large production crews' ability to work efficiently and effectively.
- Crowds: Filming can sometimes draw crowds of onlookers, which could slow down production or cause distractions for actors and crew members.
- Weather: The weather in Southern California is notoriously unpredictable, which could create difficulties if certain outdoor shots need to be filmed during specific times of the year.
Tips on How to Organize Filmings in Highland Park
Modern filmmaking requires great organization and attention to detail to ensure the filming process runs smoothly. Highland Park, California, is an ideal location for filmmakers due to its diversity and rich culture. Here are some tips to help you organize filming In Highland Park, CA:
- Secure a Permit: Filmmakers must secure permits from the city or county government before starting any filming project in Highland Park. Contacting a local film office can provide further guidance on permit requirements depending on your shooting areas.
- Scout Locations: Researching ahead of time and scouting locations will make the production run more smoothly. This can include researching historical sites, parks & trails, and public buildings that could be used as potential locations.
- Familiarize Yourself with Local Laws & Regulations: Each state has different laws surrounding filming projects, so filmmakers must familiarize themselves with local regulations before beginning their projects. This includes researching noise ordinances, parking regulations, etc.
- Recruit a Local Crew: Working with local crews can be beneficial when shooting in new locations as they already have experience working in the area and know what resources are available.
- Plan Ahead: Planning ahead of time for any potential obstacles during filming can save time and money during the production process. Creating a detailed schedule outlining each step of the shoot is essential for efficient filmmaking in Highland Park.
Famous Locations in Highland Park
- Heritage Square Museum
Heritage Square Museum offers an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages. Eight historic structures from the Victorian era provide a glimpse into Southern Californians' lives in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These meticulously restored buildings showcase the settlement and development of Southern California during its first 100 years of statehood. As the museum continues to acquire and restore historically significant buildings, it remains a valuable resource for anyone interested in the rich history of Los Angeles.
- Arroyo Seco Regional Library
The Arroyo Seco Regional Library has been a staple of the Garvanza neighborhood since 1911. The library boasts an extensive collection of books and regularly hosts author talks, events, and local book groups. It is a lively community hub in a Mission-style building and offers access to over six million books from any of the LA Public Library branches. The library is also home to several writers' groups for budding authors. Recent events include young adult events for Latinx teens and hosting pop-up literary festivals like LA Litcrawl.
- Peanut Lake
For those seeking a moderately challenging hike near Los Angeles, the trail leading to Peanut Lake is a popular choice. With a length of 3.7km and an average completion time of 1 hour and 9 minutes, hikers, runners, and walkers can take in the stunning views of Highland Park and downtown. Although it can get busy, there are quieter times of the day to enjoy some solitude, and dogs on a leash are welcome to come along year-round. A pretty little pond awaits at the top of the trail, making the effort of the uphill climb well worth it.