The Actors Corner -

CFC Makes finding a Filming Location Easy

By: Ellen Russell

The California Film Commission is a California state agency that recognizes the importance of the film industry to its state, and has developed multiple resources to aid film and movie producers, as well as private businesses and citizens patronized by movie producers.  California recognizes all that the state has to offer film producers and embraces the film industry as a key economic contributor.  California state has evolved alongside filmmaking, developing a vast array of online resources and services through the website of the California Film Commission.  When it comes to finding a production location in California, the California Film Commissionís website is an invaluable tool.

The website of the California Film Commission (CFC) is located at www.film.ca.gov.  From the home page, click on Location Resources to discover all the information a filmmaker could need for filming locations, studios, location assistance and more.

California tops the list of American film locations because of the diverse landscapes and environmental conditions found within the state.  On their website, the California Film Commission states, 'California has everything from the green forests of the northwest to the arid deserts of the Middle East, and the wet rice paddies of Asia to the snow-capped mountain vistas overlooking cactus-covered desert landscape.' (www.film.ca.gov).  Few states of the nation, if any, can boast such an array of natural location backdrops and the efficiency and convenience that accompanies the ability to film a variety of settings while dealing with one well organized, dedicated state agency.

Once you have clicked on 'Location Resources' on the California Film Commissionís website, you will discover just how committed the agency is to working cooperatively to make filming in California state your only location choice.  The Commission has dedicated the Location Resource Center as the first place to go in your quest to find the prime California state location for your film project.  The Location Resource Center houses the largest library dedicated solely to finding a film location available to the film industry.

At the Location Resource Center, dedicated staff will help you search location guides, print materials, books, maps, and computer databases to find the ideal location for your filmís needs.  The Center has information on every aspect of a filmís location, from topography and architecture to housing and hotel accommodations.

All the computers, office equpment, and phone lines you might need during this important phase of your production are at your disposal at the Location Resource Center.  Additionally, the center maintains CinemaScout, the California Film Commissionís online location database.  Registration is required to use the CinemaScout system, consisting of an easy online registration.  CinemaScout is accessible at the Location Resource Center or by accessing the site through the website of the California Film Commission.

Also available through the CFC website location resources is access to the California Regional Film Office Partnership.  The California Regional Film Office Partnership is a network of film offices and commissions in each region of the vast state of California who work cooperatively with the commission to attract filmmakers and aid producers in every step of movie production in their region.  These regional offices can help to answer questions or assist personnel through licensing and production, often expediting tedious tasks with the benefit of their knowledge and experience.

The California Regional Film Office Partnership also employs a Location Specialist whose purpose is to act as a liaison between filmmakers and regional offices, expediting the search and licensing process for a project that needs to find a film location quickly.  The specialist can be contacted by phone or by email through the Commission website and quickly relay search requests throughout the stateís regions.

The California Film Commissionís site maintains a comprehensive list of offices by region, an illustrated state map defining regions, and a complete list of offices including all addresses, affiliations, and contact information in a printable PDF file.  The PDF indicates FLICS members as well.  Film Liaisons In California, Statewide, or FLICS members are part of the California Film Commissionís regional network of fifty-five local film commissions who work as production support and aid in licensing.

The work of the California Film Commission does not end with finding a film location.  The site maintains a printable PDF directory of links to studios, equipment, rentals, sound stages, and additional directories such as the REEL Directory website, Encore, LA411, and Creative Handbook.
All the information a producer would need to obtain permits for filming on California State property, complete with links to appropriate offices and applications, is available through Location Resources on the website of the CFC.  The site maintains information and links to necessary documentation and requirements such as insurance, fees, fire requirements and permissions needed from the California Highway Patrol.  The CFC recognizes that time is of the essence for movie producers, and has streamlined their processes to make the licensing and permitting process as fast as possible.

Further recognizing that no movie production on location happens in a vacuum, the California Film Commission maintains on their site PDF files with such titles as Filming in Your Community and How To Market Your Property.  These booklets are written with average communities and citizens in mind as a resource to help the film industry and community residents coexist during their production time together.

The CFC maintains additional PDF files for filmmakers as well, such as 'Find a location Professional', 'Model Film Ordinance', and the 'Professional Filmmakers Code', aimed at creating a middle ground of understanding and improving film producer-community relations.

Extensive information in PDF files regarding filming on the campuses of the University of California and California State Universities is available at the CFC site as well.  The files give all necessary contact and permitting information for the Universities, complete with contact names, phone numbers, and email addresses, as well as required permits and advance notice lead times for each department.

The last bit of information offered through Location Resources on the website of the CFC is contact information for the stateís STARS program.  STARS stands for State Theatrical Arts Resources Partnership Incentive Program.  The program aims to find use for many of the stateís surplus equipment and real estate holdings, making them available to the film community at no charge or for small fees.

The state of California recognizes the benefit of the film industry, understanding it to be an essential contributor to the stateís economy.  California maintains the California Film Commission's website to make filming and movie production in California as attractive as possible to potential film producers, building a network of cooperative agencies and support services to attract and maintain film production in California.

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