Article written by Mary Mallory Filmmakers have always loved shooting around the Los Angeles area because so many diverse locations offer tantalizing story possibilities at a fraction of the cost of traveling around the United States or out of the country to film. One of the most popular places employed for location shooting by early filmmaking companies was Pasadena, California. … Read More
FilmL.A., Film Works Represent L.A. at AFCI’s Annual Locations Expo
Earlier this month, FilmL.A. staffers participated in the 2012 Locations Expo organized by the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI). Held at the Los Angeles Convention Center during the Los Angeles Film Festival, the annual event draws film commission representatives from other states and nations all looking to capture a share of California’s heritage industry. FilmL.A. used the opportunity to … Read More
Santa Monica Movie Studio “Xcited” About the Future
Whenever we hear about an entertainment business committed to growing and expanding its presence in the Golden State, we like to pay them a visit. And, when Film Works learned that Lee Brownstein, founder of Santa Monica-based XcitableBoy Productions, made the gutsy decision to expand during one of the slowest film production periods on record, we knew that he and … Read More
Thomas Ince, The Civil War and the Silver Screen
Article written by Mary Mallory Thomas Ince, sadly more recognized today for his tragic, early death than for the fine films he created, was one of Hollywood’s most successful early film producers. Building his first studio in 1912 at what is now the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset Blvd., Ince churned out mostly westerns and Civil War pictures … Read More
Star Waggons: A Star for the Local Economy
If Star Waggons’ Jason Waggoner had his way, celebrities would say “I’ll be in my Star Waggon” instead of, “I’ll be in my trailer.” Started by Jason’s father, Lyle Waggoner, in the early 1980s, Star Waggons is a local manufacturing and equipment rental powerhouse with an impressive fleet of over 800 custom-built film trailers. That’s right, the bulk of the … Read More