About Culver City
Any movie lovers will want to visit Culver City, California at some point during their lives. The area is full of movie history and has been home to an MGM lot since the 1920s. Currently, it houses Sony Pictures Studios and offers tours of the lot and sound stages.
The city is near downtown Los Angeles and is neighbored by Beverley Hills. Harry Culver laid out the idea for the city of Culver in 1914. He promoted it as a home for motion picture studios and first convinced Thomas Ince to relocate his studio. After Ince made the move, studios like MGM and Goldwyn Pictures soon followed.
Sony Pictures moved onto the original MGM lot in the 1990s, and it still sits there today. As of 2010, the population in Culver City was more than 38,000 people. Today, Culver City works to memorialize the history of Hollywood. Despite LA being seen as the entertainment capital, Culver City is full of movie magic.
Photo Shoot Venue Options in Culver City
Culver City is a glittering part of Southern California that is full of options for you to take advantage of during your photo shoot. No matter what it is you might need, you’ll be able to find it here for your Culver photo shoot venue.
- Catering
Catering can make any Culver City photo shoot venue better. The city is full of delicious options to choose from, including a range of ethnic cuisines. Offering some kind of refreshments can boost the entire mood of your photo shoot.
- Cameras
Having proper cameras is vital for your photo shoot, but you don’t have to worry about buying everything you need. The most budget-friendly option for many creative professionals is to rent the needed equipment. You also have the option of hiring an entire production company to work with.
- Lighting
Lighting can be used to enhance your Culver City photo shoot venue. You can hire lighting professionals to make your vision come to life. If you know how to create proper lighting set up you can choose to just rent the needed equipment.
- Transportation
The busy lifestyle of Culver City can make it a headache to get around. However, hiring private car companies can often take most of that stress away. They can provide luxurious and comfortable vehicles to get you from one point to the next.
Photo Shoot Venue Companies in Culver City
Culver City is home to numerous companies you can hire for your next photo shoot. These experienced professionals have the necessary skills to help you turn your vision into a reality. Let the locals help you with all this entails for your Culver City photo shoot venue.
- LA Spice Catering
LA Spice Catering can offer some gourmet cuisine options for your Culver City photo shoot venue. They’ve created unique menus for Thanksgiving meals, cocktail parties, corporate networking events, and backyard barbecues. The team of experienced chefs will work with you to create custom meals for your event. There are also delivery options to make service easier.
- LensWorks Rentals
You can choose from a range of high-tech cameras and gear at LensWorks Rentals. They offer a range of audiovisual equipment to choose from, with multiple packages. They offer leading rental services in LA and the rest of Southern California. LensWorks has digital cameras, lenses, and a prep space to get your gear ready.
- LB Limousine
LB Limousine has some of the best private transportation services in Culver City with a range of vehicles to choose from. They offer limousines, shuttles buses, SUVs, and more. LB Limousine has been working in the area since 2005 and is dedicated to giving each client the best experience possible.
Pros and Cons of Photo Shoot Venues in Culver City
Culver City has good and bad sides, just like every other Southern California city. The pros and cons can both impact your next photo shoot venue. Before finalizing anything, make sure you know all the pros and cons of choosing a photo shoot venue in Culver City.
Advantages
- Movie magic
The movie magic and Hollywood glitz found in Culver City is one of the main things that attract so many tourists. It’s at the heart of the film industry, with plenty of ways to immerse yourself.
- Entertainment
There are plenty of entertainment options in Culver City, no matter what it is you like to do for fun. There are nightclubs, theatre venues, parks, and beach access. When you find yourself in Culver, it’s hard to be bored.
- Sunny weather
The sunny weather in Culver City brings in tourists year-round. Temperatures are mild throughout most of the year but can peak in June and August.
Disadvantages
- Tourism
Culver City is a major tourism destination, and that can be a big disadvantage for a lot of people. You can expect to find crowding at every popular attraction, and congested traffic on the roads.
- High costs
Just like nearby Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, Culver City can be expensive. The average cost of living is above the national and state average. It can be seen in the high price tags of daily costs, like hotel rooms or dining at a restaurant.
- Busy
Culver City is always busy, thanks to how booming the tourism is. There are virtual no slow periods, so you may run into large crowds and stopped traffic at any time of day.
Famous Locations in Culver City
- Sony Pictures Studios
Sony Pictures Studios is one of the biggest attractions in Culver City and covers more than two blocks of the city. The studio sees tours every day, which features behind-the-scenes glimpses of famous movie and tv sets, and golf cart rides around the lot. Some of the most popular features include getting a look at props from Breaking Bad, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy.
- Kirk Douglas Theatre
If you want to enjoy the classic Hollywood style that Culver City is known for, you can do so at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. It’s found downtown and is part of the Center Theatre Group. Kirk Douglas is consistently producing plays and musicals, and ticket prices vary based on the actual show. It’s known for putting on cutting-edge productions and draws in major crowds with each show.
- Coolhaus Ice Cream
Another place where you can enjoy the glitzy past of Culver City is Coolhaus Ice Cream. It’s a gourmet parlor offering unique flavors like pizza, gin and tonic, and whiskey. There are more traditional options to choose from as well, such as chocolate peppermint and vanilla. The design of the building reflects the Bauhaus architecture style, which was started by Rem Koolhaas. The parlor was named in honor of Koolhaas and his movement.