My buddy and I were laughing the other day how, in Los Angeles, if you wanted something as mundane as diner or a motel room, the starting price to film is $3000. THIS is what WE considered production value...in Hollywood. Anywhere else, this is a simple rent the place out and shoot. And no one gives a fuck. Unless you're doing porno. And even then.
This town if ridiculously film savvy and people are sick of it (dig the weather though). The other day while I was out looking for a motel, I ran across one in Burbank. This rundown shit-shack I thought would be perfect. I'd rent two rooms. There are two reasons why I don't (or try not to) do guerilla style filmmaking anymore...1) I'm not a kid. There are bigger consequences when you can't say you didn't know any better 2) don't want any of my cast or crew arrested. While this is a far reach. Most likely a fine and booted from location, there is also the chance that trespassing comes with a larger risk of it. I've been through the L.A. justice system and it fucking blows. Many of my friends STILL do it guerilla style, and well...they happen to be younger than 30. In the Midwest, no one cares. It's actually cool and most offer to help. 3) I have no control of location. This is the most aggravating. As I get older, the less I want to deal with the public that I can't control. Thinking now, renting the motel rooms and secretly filming doesn't mean the people aren't outside on a Saturday afternoon smoking weed and playing music...loudly (as I've read in a Yelp review after the fact).
So I told the manager of the shit-hole motel what I intended to do. Mind you, a complete and total shit-hole no one seems to want to spend time in...and his response "No, movie shoot give $3000 a day." I'm not joking. Even this fucker knew or was approached at some point. Or heard it from the grapevine. After securing any place that looks normal...you celebrate at the fact that you got production value. Meanwhile, it's what is in every student film. The frustration in this town will gut you.
This is not to say you CAN'T shoot in Los Angeles. The light is nicer than most cities, the location has deserts, mountains hotels and standing sets somewhere. But everyone I've told NOT to come to L.A. to do anything stubbornly come here and experience the reality. By the way, if you are very prolific and determined to make things, this may not deter you. However, after running into so many "no's" or looks as if you just shat in a bag and handed it to them...I would say enjoy your own town. They will LOVE you to try to do something. Here, they make it near impossible to do the simplest things.
Case in point, I took my wind-up Bolex to Barndall Park in Hollywood to take some additional footage for stuff. I was stopped by three different people and asked about the camera. Actually that they hadn't seen one in decades. Then the Hollyhock House security eyeballed me. Then I just left. Sick of it. If you think you'll just come into Los Angeles and start making your dream project...if it's only you and a few people, go get it. The rest of the time prepare yourselves to tap dance.
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