Filming in Fullerton: Everything You Need to Know About This Charming, Film-friendly Town  

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The City of Fullerton has a rich film history dating back to 1923, when Metro Pictures’ “Her Fatal Millions” was shot at Fullerton’s Santa Fe Train Depot. Since then, more than 500 film and television productions have made their way down the 5 Freeway toward this iconic suburban enclave.

In 2016, George Clooney chose the City of Fullerton for “Suburbicon,” a feature film he directed (scripted by the Coen Brothers).  Due to its “vintage” allure and aesthetics, Fullerton provided a perfect backdrop for this 1950’s era satirical thriller.

Fullerton native Linda Shayne, director of “The Purple People Eater” (1988) which features Shelly Winters, Ned Beatty, and a young Neil Patrick Harris, told the OC Register that “Fullerton projects a ‘50s-like quality of innocence,” a feeling that it’s “safe to walk at night.”

1923 film “Her Fatal Millions”
1923 film “Her Fatal Millions” shot at Fullerton’s Santa Fe Train Depot. (Photo from IMDB)
 2016 film "Suburbicon"
The 2016 film "Suburbicon" filmed in Fullerton, CA. (Photo from IMDB)

Located within the 30-Mile Zone*, the City of Fullerton offers studios and filmmakers a diverse selection of scenic backdrops, ranging from historic buildings to modern, urban settings and scenic parks.  Per Fullerton City Manager Eric Levitt, “Fullerton is proud to welcome filmmakers to our vibrant and diverse city. With its rich architectural history, tree-lined streets, and picturesque neighborhoods, Fullerton offers a unique backdrop for productions of all kinds.”

“From our vibrant downtown to our scenic parks and historic homes, we are committed to making the filming process as smooth and seamless as possible,” Levitt added.

 “We value the creativity that the film industry brings and are dedicated to providing flexible support, including streamlined permitting and a responsive staff, to help productions thrive here in Fullerton.”
- Eric Levitt, Fullerton City Manager

Fullerton is also budget-friendly, as there are no automatic fees charged in addition to the FilmLA application fee.  That means a City of Fullerton location can be added to any multi-jurisdictional permit application, subject to FilmLA’s standard five-location limit.

For use of city-owned properties, such as city parks, Fullerton will charge use fees. The city also has a street occupancy fee should you need sidewalk occupancy and/or reserved street parking. City personnel fees apply only when the need arises, for instance with police officer hires for public safety or to support requests for lane or street closures.

In addition to being an affordable option for filmmakers, Fullerton is also home to a thriving local art scene. Residents are enthusiastic about supporting film and television productions by creating a welcoming atmosphere for those visiting the city for on-location filming.

Given all this, it is no wonder that the City of Fullerton is popular for filmmakers of all budget sizes including students from nearby Chapman University, one of the country’s premiere film schools.

 Highlighted below are a few prime locations within the city’s boundaries.


Fullerton Airport

Fullerton Airport
Fullerton Airport (photo courtesy of City of Fullerton)
Fullerton Airport, 4011 W Commonwealth Ave, Fullerton, CA 92833, is situated near the 5 Freeway and Highway 91. This airport is the only general aviation airport in Orange County, which means that it caters to civilian, non-commercial flight, such as sport aviation, business travel, humanitarian aid, agriculture and environmental flying.

Fullerton Train Station

Fullerton Train Station
Fullerton Train Station (Shutterstock)
Fullerton Train Station, 120 E Santa Fe Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832, has its own rich history dating back to the late 1800s when California saw a boom in oil production and agriculture. The town of Fullerton was established to serve as a stop along the Santa Fe Railroad.  Originally known as the Union Pacific Depot, built in 1923, it was constructed in the Mission Revival style. Due to a rapid growth in population, Union Pacific was the third railroad to lay tracks through Fullerton as part of the rail system between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. Now listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, it plays home to Fullerton’s Old Spaghetti Factory.

Hillcrest Park

Hillcrest Park
Hillcrest Park (photo courtesy of City of Fullerton)
Hillcrest Park, located at 1200 N Harbor Blvd, features a recently restored 1920’s era fountain, upgraded surrounding stonework and the newly added “Hillcrest Stairs,” a 7-foot-wide timber staircase connecting the park to Lions Field. Its shady trees and large picnic area serve productions well for filming or base camp needs.

Downtown Fullerton

Downtown Fullerton
Downtown Fullerton (photo courtesy of City of Fullerton)
Downtown Fullerton and its vibrant nightlife in the SOCO District (South of Commonwealth) is comprised of newer restaurants and trendy bars. The city also has a thriving thrift shop community with several second-hand boutiques and “mom & pop” stores which give the City of Fullerton that small-town allure.

Heritage House

Heritage House in Fullerton Arboretum
Heritage House (Shutterstock)
Heritage House, located in the center of the Fullerton Arboretum on Cal State Fullerton’s campus, reflects the late 19th Century with some of the original furnishings and family memorabilia.  Saved from demolition in 1972, this Eastlake-style historic cottage is decorated to reflect a doctor’s home office from the 1890s.

*Note: FilmLA does not administer the 30-Mile and Secondary Studio Zone boundaries. For information on locations near the edge of the Zone, please consult the CSATF map provided by Contract Services Administration Trust Fund as well as specific union agreements to confirm whether specific locations fall within the Zone

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Cindy Matta

About the Author: Cindy Matta

Cindy Matta is a member of the Production Planning department at FilmLA. She received her BA in Political Science and Communications from the University of Pittsburgh (PITT) and a Master's Degree in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute (AFI) in Los Angeles, and earned two finalist awards for her TV pilot, The Mad Queen - No One Trusts a Traitor. Coming from a production background, Cindy was a field director/producer at FoxSports Net covering the NBA and NFL. She is an avid skier and cinephile and seeks to direct a border western as her first feature.

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