10 Tips For Filming Commercials In Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the city where movie stars are born, music legends are made, and iconic brands come to life. 

However, behind all the glitz and glamour, one industry that keeps the entertainment vibe going is commercial filming. 

In 2024, the production of TV and online commercials in Los Angeles went up by 7.4 percent. [Source: Greater Los Angeles Film Industry Survives its Second Slowest Summer]

Los Angeles has the most creative playground, with a talent pool, world-class studio, and stunning location. So, what is holding you back from shooting your next commercial film in the sun-kissed metropolis of Los Angeles?

Use these ten tips for commercial filming in Los Angeles, and you’ll definitely want to thank us later for making the whole process a breeze!

Key Highlights: Filming Commercials in Los Angeles → To shoot a commercial in Los Angeles, you need permits from FilmLA. → Everything works like a magic backdrop for shooting, from the famous Hollywood Boulevard to hidden gems like the Arts District. → Rent your gear from local LA companies like Sharegrid or Cinema Camera Rentals. → Visit LA in spring or fall or during Golden Hours to get the best view of your commercials. → LA has some of the best post-production services for editing, sound, and visual effects.

Why Shoot Film Commercials In Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is one of the attractive places for shooting films, commercials, and other media projects. The location has it all; from comfortable weather to a wealth of industry resources. LA is the perfect destination for creating a high-value video. So, what are things you will get to bag if you are shooting LA:

Film-Friendly Environment:

• Permissive Filming Ordinances: Filming in Los Angeles is much easier since many of the locations are owned by the government. This means you don’t have to stress too much about hunting for the perfect shooting spots.
• Dedicated Film Commission: The LA Film Commission goes all out with its support and facilities for film production. It will help filmmakers with location scouting, valuable resources, and community relations. 

Diversity of Locations:

1. Urban Landscapes: LA city life is all about bustling streets and iconic spots like the Hollywood sign, tall skyscrapers, and cool old buildings in Downtown LA. These are just a few examples of what makes urban backdrops so interesting!
2. Natural Beauty: The city is filled with stunning beaches, deserts, mountains, and forests. Visit Santa Monica and Griffith Park to explore the endless possibilities for outdoor shoots.
3. Studio Facilities: Remember Warner Bros and Universal Studios? They offer state-of-the-art soundstages and production facilities.

Availability of Industry Resources:

• LA is full of experienced crew members, actors, and directors ready to add what is necessary for any project.
• You can find numerous rental houses with various types of equipment, from cameras to lighting. It makes it so much easier to source the necessary gear.
• LA is home to top-notch post-production facilities. Here, you can find editing suites, sound studios, and visual effects companies in one place.

Iconic Backdrop:

• Brand Association: When you shoot in LA, your brand instantly comes alive with glamour, innovation, and the American dream.
• Visual Appeal: The city’s well-known spots and beautiful views are perfect backdrops that can grab your attention and boost any commercial.

1. Navigating Permits for Commercial Filming in LA

Navigating the permit process might seem stretchy while filming in LA, but following the requirements and steps will smooth out your video production experiences later.

How to Obtain a FilmLA Permit?

In LA, a film permit is an official certificate that permits you to film. To get this mandatory permit, you will need to talk to FilmLA since they are the official agency that can issue it. Otherwise, it will be illegal in the city.

[Source: FilmLA]

Anyway, here’s a general overview of the process:

• Step 1: Register yourself on the FilmLA portal to create an account
• Step 2: Apply for the permit application with detailed information about your project, including dates, locations, equipment, and crew size.
• Step 3: Include the required documentation, such as insurance certificates, location agreements, and union contracts, with the applications.
• Step 4: Pay the permit fee based on the number of your filming days, locations, and equipment used.
• Step 5: Complete all the procedures, then submit your permit application via the MyFilmLA Online Portal System.
• Step 6: Once your application is accepted, they’ll connect you with a production coordinator who will help you with any other specific needs for your project.
• Step 7: Make sure all the payments are made by the deadline so you can get the final permit.

Note: The permit fees can fluctuate depending on the nature of your project, filming locations, and any special equipment or effects involved.

Important Legal Considerations

While shooting in LA, you must follow several legal considerations.  

Simply put, don’t get into legal trouble.

[Source: GUIDELINES AND BEST PRACTICES FOR FILMING ACTIVITIES IN COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES]

• Check out Top Video Production Companies in Los Angeles – Expert Recommendations

Permits for Iconic LA Locations

If you are going to shoot in the iconic famous places of LA, then you will need additional permission and coordination from specific agencies. 

Here are some examples for your better understanding:

Hollywood Boulevard	You need a permit from the City of Los Angeles, and coordination with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce may be necessary.
Santa Monica Pier	The City of Santa Monica issues permits and may have specific restrictions.
Venice Beach	You require a permit from the City of Los Angeles, which may involve additional regulations.

2. Choosing the Right Location for Your Commercial

Locations Based on Commercial Aesthetic

Category	Location/Places	What do they offer
Cityscape	Downtown Los Angeles	→ Urban decay → Modern architecture
	Century City	→ A sleek, modern district → High-rise office buildings → Upscale shopping malls
Beach	Santa Monica Beach	→ Classic Southern California Beach → Vibrant boardwalk and pier
	Malibu Beach	→ Exclusive and luxurious beach → Pristine sands and stunning ocean views
Suburban	San Marino	→ An affluent suburb → Beautiful homes and manicured lawns
	Pasadena	→ Charming suburb → A mix of historic and modern architecture
Desert	Joshua Tree National Park	→ Dramatic desert landscape → Unique rock formations and Joshua trees
	Mojave Desert	→ A vast and arid desert → Sand dunes and mountains

3. Essential Equipment and Rentals in LA

Los Angeles has some of the best camera and equipment rental services. These are loved by filmmakers and photographers. These services offer A-grade equipment and are within budget. 

How about you take a list of rental services and our recommendation to collect the necessary equipment for your LA shoot? 

Local Rental Companies and Recommendations

Here are some of the top-rated rental companies based in LA; you can check out if you need these services:

Rental Services	Companies
Camera Rental	→ ShareGrid → AbelCine → Samy’s Camera
Lighting Rental	→ Light Source → Cinema Camera Rentals
Grip and Electric Rental	→ LAX Equipment Rental → Production Resource Group (PRG) → Quality Equipment Rentals
Sound Rental	→ Lectrosonics → PDQ Rentals → United Rentals

Equipment Checklist for LA Commercial Filming

Here is an equipment checklist you can follow when you are in LA for commercial shooting. You’ll want to have all your gear with you. It’s super easy to grab what you need from LA rental services, whether you need it for just a few hours or the whole day.

• Relatable Reads: Video Production Planning Checklist: 10 Essential Steps for Success

4. Ideal Times of Day and Year for Filming in LA

Filming at a specific time of day can significantly impact footage quality due to lighting conditions. You can use the best lighting and minimize crowd disturbances while shooting in Los Angeles if you’re aware of these timings: 

Understanding LA’s Golden Hour

LA has the best golden hour of any location in the USA. If you aren’t familiar with golden hour, it is basically the time after sunrise or before sunset when the sunlight feels soft and warm. This is the perfect time to click photos in LA. 

Here are a few tips on how you can make the best of this magical time:

• Research locations that offer stunning views during golden hour
• Plan the whole shooting around the changing light conditions throughout the day
• You can use a light meter to measure the light intensity and adjust your camera settings accordingly
• Experiments with filters and exposure to achieve the cinematic look
• Try to avoid artificial lighting as much as possible during the golden hour to capture the natural light

Seasonal Weather Considerations

Best Months for Commercial Shoots:

• Spring (March-May) has mild temperatures, pleasant weather, and blooming flowers, which make outdoor shoots more cinematic-worthy.
• Fall (September-November) gives comfortable weather, clear skies, and a vibrant fall vibe to take stunning shots.

Typical Weather:

• Summer (June-August) offers both hot and dry weather and is the perfect time for beach and desert shoots. You just have to prepare for the high temperatures during the afternoon.
• Winter (December-February) is full of occasional rain showers and lush greenery to make every shot dreamy.

5. Hiring Local Talent and Crew

Finding Experienced Local Crew

To find experienced local talent in LA, you can hunt them in several resources:

1. Production Companies and Agencies

• Local production houses have extensive networks of skilled crew members and even help you with hiring as well.
• Talent agencies also have the actors, models, and other talent that you will need for the filming.
• Crew agencies supply experienced crew members for various roles for the entire film production.

2. Online Platforms

• ProductionHUB is a popular online platform that brings production professionals to the project.
• Mandy is a known name in global casting and crew.
• Stage 32 is the social network for creative professionals.

Costs and Considerations for Local Talent

The cost of hiring local talent in LA isn’t that easy. Consider factors such as experience, role, and union status. We have outlined some general considerations. 

However, costs and other factors can accumulate based on your planning or hiring process for commercial filmmaking.

• Relatable Reads: TV Commercial Video Production Costs in 2025: Factors and Budgeting Tips

6. Managing Traffic and Parking During Filming

Securing Parking for Film Crews

Taking up the parking space for your film can be a highlighted challenge. It gets messier when you are shooting in urban areas like Los Angeles. 

Let us give you a few tips that will surely smooth parking arrangements for you:

• Visit your filming location beforehand to asses the parking availability and gather all the details.
• Reserve parking spaces if you are filming in a private location.
• Tell your crew to use public transportation to reduce the number of cars on set.
• If you have a larger production, it is better to hire a parking valet. 
• Talking with local businesses to secure parking spaces on private property is better.

Navigating LA Traffic Patterns for Commercial Filming

LA is famous for its crazy traffic. 

Why not plan the filming schedule to skip those rush hours and all the hassles that come with it? 

We’ve got some handy tips to help you tackle traffic and parking for your upcoming shoots.

• Work closely with local authorities to come up with detailed traffic control plans.
• Schedule your filming during off-peak hours, like early morning or late evening.
• Use real-time traffic apps to monitor traffic conditions and plan your route accordingly.
• You can hire a traffic coordinator to manage the traffic flow if the production is bigger.
• Take permission for the close streets or sidewalks, if required.

7. Preparing for Unexpected Challenges in LA

Dealing with last-minute permit changes is one of the usual problems in the film industry. 

Let us guide you through some of the ways to navigate these situations in LA.

8. Managing Security and Crowds at Popular Locations

Filming in popular and crowded LA locations will attract crowds’ curiosity. 

It can ruin your beautiful shots, disrupt your production, and pose security risks. What can you do in such situations? 

Here are our strategies to help you manage crowds and ensure safety:

• Obtain required permits to film in public areas and to close off areas if needed.
• Hire security guards to control crowds and protect your crews and equipment.
• Use signage to designate filming areas and keep crowds at a safe distance.
• Offering incentives or perks to residents to encourage their cooperation.
• Always have a plan in place to handle unexpected situations.

9. Post-Production Resources in LA

Editing and Post-Production Facilities

Los Angeles is a pool of world-class post-production facilities. They are always ready to handle even the most complex commercial projects. You can go for these notable options if you are looking for the best post-production services in LA:

Companies	What They Do
Company 3	→ Full range of post-production services. → Color grading, visual effects, and sound editing are the best.
The Mill	→ Innovative visual effects and motion graphics. → A popular choice for high-end commercial projects.
Postworks	→ Provides editing, color grading, visual effects, and sound services.
Soundelux	→ Offers sound editing, sound design, and music mixing.

[Source: Company3]

LA-Based Sound and Music Production Options

It can be said that LA is a hub for talented sound designers and composers. If you’re after some fresh and creative sound design, check out these options to make your music production stand out and grab attention.

Sound Designers	→ Skywalker Sound → Soundelux → Formosa Group
Music Composers and Production Houses	→ Bleeding Fingers Music → Remote Control Productions → Junkie XL Music Group

These are just a few examples of the many post-production resources available in LA. You can choose yours by considering your budget, expertise, and project’s specific needs.

10. Leveraging LA’s Scenic Backdrops for Branding

Making the Most of LA’s Landscape in Your Commercial

With all its iconic spots and amazing scenery, Los Angeles is the perfect place to showcase your brand’s message and visuals. 

How can you take advantage of it for your commercial filming? 

Here are some tips to make the most of LA’s awesome backdrops.

• Align scenery with brand identity to match the brand’s aesthetic
• Incorporate local culture and lifestyle to connect with your audience
• Using LA’s iconic landmarks for instant recognition
• Experiment with different visual styles to find the best fit for your brand
• Consider the time of day to create the mood and atmosphere for the shoot
• Hiring local talents for their unique creative energy for the project

Frequently Asked Questions