Dear
Reader,
As I
reflect this year, 2012, I started my year in Sonoma at the Infineon Raceway on
a car shoot. Ironically I ended 2011 at
the same location; in fact all of my December jobs in 2011 was in the Bay Area
(near San Francisco). Certain times of
the year San Francisco is my number one market, I like working there because
there are so many great locations in and near San Francisco
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| Infineon Raceway |
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| Infineon Raceway |
When
it comes to my favorite places in 2012, I have to break it into categories, for
instance best salt flats in Southern California, that would have to be Amboy,
near 29 Palms, about 3.3 hours north/east of Los Angeles. In 2012
I was there for several fashion shoots and one car commercial. What my clients liked about Bristol Salt
Flats as it is referred to, is the fact of the solitude, the flats are on
private property, which means my clients have full privacy. This is important if there is an A-list
celebrity or a prototype of a product that requires seclusion from the general
public. The Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, located off of Interstate 80 has
30,000 acres of land, but it is located on public land which means productions
has less control of people interfering with the shoot. Bristol Salt Flats is close to Los Angeles, a
one day shoot is possible, though I always recommend staying in 29 Palms the
night before the project, especially if there is an early call time. 29 Palms is a major town and there are plenty
of lodging, food, fuel and other options for any size crew.
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| El Mirage Dry Lakebed |
El
Mirage Dry Lakebed is my favorite dry lakebed if your needs is a nice flat
brown surface surrounded by mountains on all sides. El Mirage is located about two hours
north/east of Los Angeles in San Bernardino County; it is the closest dry lakebed
to LA, with the best and easiest access for large and small vehicles. Soggy Dry Lakebed near Lucerne is another dry
lakebed, but it is over three-hour drive form the Zone and it is more difficult
to ingress. El Mirage has a paved road,
except for the last quarter of mile, it is flat and very film friendly, it is
located on BLM land, during the week, unless there is a major event the public
is not a major concern. Victorville is
only forty-five minutes from El Mirage with many lodging, dining, food, fuel
and other options available. The town of
Adelanto is closer to El Mirage Dry Lakebed, however I always inform my clients
to avoid this city, it has a major crime problem and there is no guarantee that
criminals would not molest your equipment.
Victorville is a major town and offers crews nicer accommodations and
dining options.
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| El Mirage Dry Lakebed |
I am
going to write future blogs about the best locations to film or photograph not
just in California, but other Western States including, Arizona, Colorado,
Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Again if
you have any questions about the locations I mentioned in this blog, or you
have questions about film permits or you need a motor home or portable
restrooms, call me Mike Green at 818.317.7099.
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| Bristol Salt Flats-Amboy |
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| Bristol Salt Flats-Amboy |
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| Bristol Salt Flats-Amboy |
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