Borrego Springs Local • September 22, 2021
Commercial Filming In Anza Borrego State Park
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Exploring the Beauty of Anza Borrego State Park: A Guide to Filming in the Park
Anza Borrego State Park, located in Southern California, is the largest state park in California, covering over 600,000 acres of desert landscape. This guide provides essential information for filmmakers planning to film commercially in the park.
Permits and Fees
To film in Anza Borrego State Park, you must obtain a permit from the California Film Commission. The permit is free, but additional fees are required for other services, including review and monitor/inspection fees, on-site inspections during filming, application rider fees, and hourly rates for monitors. Fees vary depending on the service and location within the park.
Equipment and Logistics
Filming in Anza Borrego State Park requires careful consideration of the terrain and environment. The park features rocky hills, canyons, sandy dunes, and open desert. It's crucial to have the right equipment for these conditions to ensure a smooth filming process.
- Climate: The park can be very hot during the day. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and hats to protect yourself and your crew from the sun. Keep your gear cool to avoid overheating.
- Wind: The park can be windy, posing a risk to your equipment. Bring proper equipment like sandbags or tripod weights to secure your gear. A windscreen for microphones can reduce wind noise.
- Specialized Equipment: The park’s unique landscapes, such as slot canyons and nighttime scenes, may require specialized lighting equipment.
Locations
Anza Borrego State Park offers several stunning locations perfect for filming:
- Fonts Point: Offers stunning views of the desert landscape from the edge of a cliff.
- Borrego Palm Canyon: Home to a lush palm grove.
- Slot Canyon: A narrow, winding canyon ideal for dramatic shots.
- Elephant Trees: Features a grove of ancient elephant trees unique to the area.
Filming Tips
When filming in Anza Borrego State Park, it is essential to follow the park's rules and regulations to ensure safety and respect for the natural environment.
- Drone Prohibition: Drones are not allowed in the park’s airspace due to the stress they cause to wildlife, potential threats to natural features, visitor experience, privacy, and risks of collision with manned aircraft.
- Respect Natural Resources: Avoid disturbing or damaging natural features and do not interfere with wildlife. The park is home to many unique plants and animals that need protection.
State Permit Monitor Fees
- California Film Commission:
- Permit Fee: Free
- Rider Fee: Free
- State Property Location Site Rental: Free
- California Department of Transportation (Caltrans):
- Review and Monitor/Inspection Fees: $140.00/hour
- On-site Inspection During Filming: $140.00/hour
- Weeknight and Weekend Monitor/Inspection Fees: Time and a half
- Application Rider Fee: $140.00
- California Highway Patrol (CHP):
- Sergeant: $124.67/hour
- Motorcycle Sergeant: $129.62/hour
- Officer: $102.48/hour
- Motorcycle Officer: $106.55/hour
- Mileage for Vehicle: $1.41/mile
- Mileage for Motorcycle: $1.67/mile
- State Parks and Recreation:
- Review Fee – Simple Productions: $100.00/day*
- Review Fee – Complex Productions: $250.00/day*
- Review Fee – Blanket (1-6 months – stills) where available: $300
- Review Fee – Blanket (7-12 months – stills) where available: $500
- Hourly Rates for Monitors:
- Peace Officers/Ranger: $105.00
- Envir./Cultural Resources: $95.00
- Maintenance: $56.00
- Park Interpreters: $55.00
- Administration: $48.00
- Lifeguard (Seasonal): $39.00
- Park Aide: $29.00
- Mileage for Monitors: $0.76/mile
- Vehicle Parking and Daily Entrance Fees: $8.00 – $20.00 per vehicle or space
*Some fees are not collected by the California Film Commission, including State Parks daily entrance/parking fee and California Highway Patrol (CHP) fees, which are collected directly by the relevant department. Source: California Film Commission.
By following these guidelines and respecting the park's rules and environment, filmmakers can ensure a successful and respectful shoot in Anza Borrego State Park.
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