Filming locations...

Robert

Robert

I'm trying to find certain types of locations to film at in the Los Angeles area... specifically a hospital and a church. But, doing an internet search isn't turning up much, except a few places that only cater to high-end, insured productions, not my lowly no-budget short film :(

I remember there was a location service run by the city/state that provided access to certain locations for a nominal fee (or even free). They even helped with permits and such. But, I cannot remember the agency name or it's web address. Anyone know what I am talking about?

Or better yet, does anyone know of any cheap or free hospital/church locations??


My only option so far is to sneak in and try and shoot some quick footage at locations before security kicks me out :lol:
 
What are you planning to shoot at the locations?

I mean if you need a hospital corridor for a dialogue scene, it's a different request from needing the morgue to have thirty blood stained zombies attack four semi-nude cheer leaders.

Same with the church ...

Nun praying ... one thing ... The anti-christ urinating on the altar ... well that's another.

I know there are lots of LA guys here, I think you'll get the best response if you let them know exaclty what you need.
 
Very good point, Clive.

The church scene is an interview scene for a mockumentary. Just an actor dressed as a priest talking to the camera about good and evil... nothing crazy or pornographic.

The hospital scene is a little more involved. I need some establishing hallway scenes and a scene in a hospital type room. Technically, it shold be a psychiatric hospital. One of the characters has gone insane by the end of the story and is in bad shape, hence has been committed.

I am also hoping to find an old college professor-type office for another interview scene.

Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who has access to these types of locations, and I can't afford the prices I've been quoted on the few places I've found.

Any help would be greatly appreciated :)
 
I honestly don't know much about the governing bodies and what they provide in LA, but are there not any sites made by the film agency that contain many of the major locations?

I know they have one in Scotland and the agency also help find locations if you give them a call. Fortunately we don't actually need permits or anything like that here but I'd imagine with LA being the major filmmaking centre it would have some sort of overseeing agency.

Another option is to try looking for photographers around the world/LA that have pictures of LA and this may help you. There are many amatuer photogrpahy sites around if you are willing to put a bit of elbow grease into finding your location.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/index.php?

That site may help you a bit. Its mainly about skyscrpaers but it has many other pictures that may help. And you could even try asking them there as they are likely to have crossed swords with a few good locations in their photographing careers

Good Luck :)
 
if all you need for the hospital is a hallway and a room, then you don't really need a hospital, just a hallway and a room. the hallways of a school have a similar look(tile floors, numbers on the doors,ect) all you would need is someone calling for" Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard" over an intercom to complete the effect. as for the room you just need the proper furniture. i used work for a medical supply company and we provided equipment (a hospital bed, over the bed table) for a local stage production once.
 
You might be thinking of the EDIC
LOS ANGELES - ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY FILM DVP'T CORP
7083 Hollywood Blvd. 5th floor, Hollywood, CA 90028
Contact: Mike Bobenko, (213) 957-1000

Local film commisions can also be a good place.

CALIFORNIA FILM COMMISSION
6922 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 600 Hollywood, CA 90028
Contact: Patti Stolkin Archuletta, (888) 858-4749, (323) 860-2960

CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
455 N. Rexford Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Contact: Robin Chancellor, Benita Miller, (310) 285-2438

CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD, 8300 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069-4314
Contact: Terry House, (213) 848-6489

I've got the names and contacts for O.C., Palm Springs and Palmdale too. Sometime the further you are from L.A. the easier it gets. But I can tell you that you're going to need insurance.
 
Thanks, Directorik, I believe it was the California Film Commission. And yes, they almost exclusively deal with larger productions with insurance.

Mentismortis, thanks for the tip. That's pretty much what I've resigned myself to considering my other options... which are none. :lol:
 
I worked on a short that had a hospital location. The director used a nondescript hallway in a large church, placed a 'workstation' type of desk in the hallway, and dressed the scene a bit - actors in hospital worker costumes. You could see if you could borrow some scene dressing stuff from somewhere, too (IV drips, etc). But on screen, it worked.

Other advice - shoot really fast on your desired location guerilla style (rehearse everything before hand). When you first arrive, snag some bland footage, then take the tape out and pocket it (assuming you're shooting dv). Then go ahead with your filming with someone scouting for 'officials' who might bust you. If someone approaches, your scout should distract them right away, while your DP swaps in the alternate tape into his/her camera. If/when the official demands your tape, open the camera and hand over your alternate tape. Hopefully you've got enough good stuff you can use on the 'real' tape.

Good luck!

Maggie
 
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