Location scouting can make or break any film project. From small-scale independent productions to big-budget blockbusters, finding venues that help you tell a story is crucial. And in a city like Los Angeles, there’s no shortage of excellent film shoot locations to choose from.
No matter the project, the budget, or the style of scene you want to create, you’ll find abundant creative opportunities within easy reach of downtown LA. Let’s take a closer look at just seven of the thousands of Los Angeles film shoot venues available to give you a small taste of the huge variety of the diverse and unique options on offer.
1. Retro Electronics Lab
Step back in time to the high-tech days of the 1980s in the Retro Electronics Lab. This 800-square-foot space is packed full of vintage electronics that were cutting-edge for their time, but that now ooze retro cool. We’re talking racks filled with old computers, microscopes, oscilloscopes, and spare parts. If you’re looking for a lair to suit a mad scientist, this might be the perfect fit.
2. Blue Cloud Movie Ranch
Offering 250 acres of picture-perfect scenery and sets, the Blue Cloud Movie Ranch offers creative opportunities galore. Located within the Los Angeles County 30-Mile Zone, this remarkable ranch has something to suit just about every project.
Third-world street setting? Check. Army operating base? Check. Airplane hangar, abandoned gas station, moody mountain-top plateau? Check, check, and check. And with the variety of sets expanding all the time, there’s always something new worth exploring.
3. RagDoll Pink Palace
Sometimes you stumble across an LA film shoot venue that is truly unique — this is one of those times. RagDoll Pink Palace is a life-sized dollhouse that offers a host of memorable creative opportunities.
Highlights include the Pink Barbie/Childlike Living Room with its vibrant pink piano and heart-shaped seating, the 1950s-style kitchen with its retro refrigerator, and the glamorous styling of the Baroque Powder Room. If you can’t find anywhere worth shooting here, you might need to consider a career change.
4. The Historic Harris House
If you’re searching for an LA film shoot location with a slice of history, this venue could be just what you’re looking for. Built in 1902, the Historic Harris House is a distinctive property that encompasses two stories and some 3,500-odd square feet of space.
A mix of Victorian and Craftsman-style architecture, this space is perfect if you’re looking to create a Victorian mansion feel or recreate the ambiance of an older East Coast house. It’s also conveniently located in Glendale and practically oozes old-world charm, so it’s well worth a look for your next history project.
5. The Summit House
This beautiful home is right at the peak of beautiful LA film shoot locations. With its bird’s-eye views of some of the city’s most iconic attractions, the Summit House offers eye-catching backdrops from just about every angle.
The Hollywood Bowl, Dodger Stadium, and the city lights all stretch out before you, with Catalina Island and the sparkling Pacific Ocean within reach. The house itself is also full of unique attractions, with its geometric windows, contemporary interior, and shimmering pool sure to leave a lasting impression.
6. The Moon Huts
Originally home to military personnel, these three World War II-era Quonset huts have also done duty as the base for an ironworks, a biker club, and even a crime cleanup service.
But today, they’re better known as the Moon Huts, a wonderful filming and photography location within easy reach of downtown LA. If you’re looking for any sort of grungy, urban look, or just something with more of a dystopian or post-apocalyptic feel, these huts should be high on your list of potential venues.
7. The Houdini Estate
As the name suggests, this is a venue with a lot of history behind it. Built for Harry Houdini in the 1900s, this Hollywood Hills estate offers diverse backgrounds to suit just about any project.
Covering five acres, the estate features everything from manicured gardens to canyon views, waterfalls, hiking trails, and even tropical backdrops. And that’s before you even get inside the mansion itself, where the carved-stone mantelpiece and vintage decor are sure to impress.
Find your perfect Los Angeles film shoot location
As you can see, there’s a truly diverse range of film shoot locations on offer in and around the LA area. So no matter what you’re shooting or what type of atmosphere you want to create, you won’t have any trouble finding a space that fits the bill perfectly.
Links to images:
1. https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-black-jacket-standing-beside-man-in-black-jacket-4123579/
Sources:
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