Los Angeles Movie Set Security Planning

Filming a movie at any location, even inside the studio property, comes with its own inherent set of security risks. But when the camera is rolling on the streets of Los Angeles, it is time to bring in some Los Angeles movie set security pros.

Los Angeles is an amazing city, from its bustling port to its beautiful beaches; Los Angeles is as new as tomorrow and as old as the prehistoric La Brea Tar Pits located inside the city proper.

With all that Los Angeles offers, it’s no wonder that it is frequently chosen as a preferred filming location by so many domestic and international movie producers.

But behind all the razzmatazz, glitz and glimmer of Los Angeles, lies some potentially mean streets and unwanted visitors that can turn a movie set into a nightmare in seconds.

And the best way to prevent that from happening is to arrange for effective Los Angeles movie set security.

There are some basic key areas that always require security coverage. Other types of security precautions may be required depending upon the particular circumstances of the movie or the individual requirements of any particular scene.

As a minimum, these Los Angeles movie set security precautions should always be taken:

•    Close-in protection for stars while they are on set. This protection should be coordinated with the star’s own security team, if applicable, to ensure there are no miscommunications or “turf wars.”

•    Protection for cameras and equipment when they are not being actively used.

•    Crowd control in order to keep onlookers from interfering with movie production as well as to keep away anyone bent on attacking starts or film production personnel.

•    Staffing set access points to monitor entry and egress and to enforce credentialing.

•    Searching the movie set, prior to the arrival of cast and crew, to ensure no hazardous or dangerous devices have been planted by anyone wishing to do harm or interrupt the filming process.

•    Los Angeles movie set security personnel should liaise with the LAPD to keep them informed of the filming schedule and possibly to coordinate vehicle and pedestrian traffic control during the filming of scenes that may interfere with normal traffic patternsl.

•    Examination of all prop weapons, prior to their use, to ensure that an actual weapon was not accidentally or purposely substituted.

•    Other Los Angeles movie set security precautions should be taken as required.

When hiring Los Angeles movie set security personnel, be sure to use only licensed and bonded agencies who have experience in the movie industry. Security officers need to be of a high caliber in order to make sure they maintain security and order without causing incidents that can be blown out of proportion by the Press.

There is too much money at stake, and too many high-profile people at risk, to even think about filming in the streets of this city without bringing along a professional Los Angeles movie set security team.