Introduction to Filming in California
Since Centaur Film Company moved from New Jersey to the modest citrus groves of Hollywood in 1911, the Golden State has become the headquarters for America’s premier film studios and production companies, as well as one of the largest collection of creatives on Earth.
California receives an average of 315 sunny days, a diverse collection of locations (from vast coastlines to arid deserts) and a creative infrastructure formed from a century of innovation. While other American states have become hotbeds for productions in recent decades, California continues to host more projects than anywhere in North America and constantly attracts talent through the dedicated work of the Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS).
“Placer County’s Film Office has been a proud FLICS member since its formation in 2005 and we were one of the founding members,” said Film Office Liaison Juli Johnston.
Placer County’s film office was created in 1998, but the county’s cinematic legacy is a treasure trove dating back to the 1920s, featuring classics like “The Godfather Part II” and “Almost Famous.” Its diverse landscapes, from charming small towns to breathtaking mountain vistas, offer filmmakers the freedom to switch between suburban and wilderness settings with ease.
The county’s one of over 40 film commissions and offices across California part of FLICS. Together, they share resources to assist productions with scouting, permits and finding local talent.
It’s a one-stop resource, essential for any film, TV or commercial producer across the Golden State, and FLICS members will work to assist productions across jurisdictions.
“Our strength as an organization is the ability to collaborate and identify locations for stories that require multiple settings,” says Sabrina Jurisich, former FLICS President and current Regional Film Commissioner for Upstate California. “Whether you need redwood forests, skyscrapers, small towns, or film-friendly beaches, our members are happy to share resources so that productions can save time and money and keep their focus on the creative aspects of the project.”
FLICS’ vast array of tools and resources will help filmmakers navigate all sorts of production issues, from work permits to on-set safety.
Here in Placer County, our film office offers a variety of assistance resources to ensure productions stay on track and within budget. Our team helps put you in touch with relevant government agencies, industry associations and union contacts. We also host production directories and local vendors on our website.
We welcome all media productions to scout, film and enjoy our spectacular natural beauty year-round. Contact us today.
CONTACT PLACE-LAKE TAHOE FILM OFFICE
Juli Johnston, Film Program Liason
530-889-4091
filmoffice@placer.ca.gov
READ MORE:
‘California is the entertainment capital of the world’
Governor Gavin Newsom recently proposed expanding California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program from the current $330 million annual allocation to $750 million annually. The massive increase to the program, which is administered by the California Film...
Ready, Set, Action! – Exploring The Region’s Growing Film Industry
Magazine highlights the influx of filmmakers in the Sacramento region and Placer County Placer County's Film Office was recently mentioned as part of Comstock's Magazine's September cover article discussing the growth of local film production in the Sacramento region....