Hello all,

So I'm actually working on a short film, looking to shoot in Salton City in November or December. We will be a total cast/crew of 12 or less, me thinks. Our total budget for everything (food, lodging, some equipment rental, lodging) is $1000.  Being as Permits/Insurance to legitimize a shoot will easily blow our whole budget, I would like info on the remoteness of Salton City...

Has anyone shot out there and been shut down or fined?  Are there really any people around, especially in the winter months?  Do Park Rangers go out there to bust small crews?

We're also looking to shoot in nearby Joshua Tree to get some expansive desert shots.  What info can you give me about shooting there guerilla style?  I know people do it all the time all over Los Angeles, so I know it can be done...

I would do a location scout first and see how the locals feel about it.  You can plan your shots & moves during this much smaller excursion.

A lot of people shoots stills out there - some of whom I know.  I've never heard anyone talk about permits, but they do talk about and with the locals.  Just don't piss them off with noise or inconveniencing them and you shouldn't get hassled at all.

The Salton Sea area is fairly remote and I bet you shoot there guerrilla style. The towns definitely have a community, though, and as an outsider you will  be noticed. You might have a little more trouble in the city itself.....keep in mind that people do live in these towns, and you'll essentially be shooting in their front yard.

Don't try to shoot within Joshua Tree National Park with that many people without a permit--you'll almost certainly be fined unless you hike somewhere very remote. But there is a lot of land around the park that has a similar landscape where you would probably be ok.

If you have twelve people involved though, it might behoove you to get a bit more budget and try to legitimize the shoot.

say its a school project.

Saying it's a school project can backfire.  My last outdoor shoot went south when someone mentioned that.  The median age of everyone on the shoot was about 38 so it didn't play and we had to hurry out without finishing.

With a crew of 12, you are taking your chances.  It could easily go well and just as easily go south.  For a small, low budget production, the permit may be far less than you think.   Most of those permit fees are designed for large productions.  I have had them be very accommodating to ultra-low budget productions and student films. 

To get a permit, the biggest bugaboo will be insurance.  You will need a certificate.  If you can do that, you can probably end up with a fee that is manageable.  Since you are shooting close to the Salton Sea, they are astute as to the popularity of the area. 

That having been said, if you do a low profile, guerilla shoot, you might well get away with it.  I think it is more likely that you will than won't.  The danger is that it will go bad and you won't be able to finish what you are doing.  You may also get cited, which can be expensive.

I am not going to give you advice.  It can be done without permits, but there are no guarantees.  It is also, obviously, illegal.

I found the Imperial County Film Commission online and their Film Permit application.

http://www.filmimperialcounty.com/media … Permit.pdf

Looking at the bottom of the form, the fee is $100/day, $200/for 2-3 days, and $50/day for student.  Not bad if you have a $1K budget.  The catch would be the normal $1 million bond that most all parks ask for.  Mine is along with my gear coverage (to $35K) and runs about $700/yr.

Jousha Tree, being Federal, might be a whole lot more that the above.  Their form has all sorts of fees to wade through last time I looked.  Seems the application ranger can pick and chose what to tack on, none cheap though.

If you are with a school, I know one movie site I work with the school uses their policy to satisfy the property master.  Student's might get a far better rate with them too.

Bad part with desert is once you park, the ranger or sheriff can spot you a mile away and then the "What ya think you're doin'?" mess begins.  A lot of people may bring them out of the bushes sooner too.  Small towns bring nosy people out too, especially a tripod and big camera, looking to see what's going on.  Been there thinking some TV show was going to feature them.

Last time I did it guerrilla style I just got an Adventure Pass (A So. CA forest $5  day-parking permit.) and had no problems.  Never stopped to check or ask since all vehicles had one hanging.  Without it, he could have stopped and began writing and getting nosy.  The BLM guys look for a "Green Sticker" for the OHV crowd and often move on (You could pack a lot of camera gear incognito on one of those shoots, not that I ever have.).

As one mentioned, "If you think you need a permit, you probably do."

The entire time I was there last Summer I didn't see one law enforcement official. The area is larger than you would think and aside for a few isolated home/clusters it's abandoned.





But to be on the safe side, they do have a local authority that you can make enquiries to...and pack smelling salts for your nose.

Tell them you are on a mission from God.

It worked for Elwood.

um your not shooting guerrilla style with 12 people...Joshua Tree is a national park you set up shop and you are going to get shut down quick. Joshua is busy most times of the day. You so much pull out out a reflector and yeah you are going to get watcha doin questions.

Salton sea is quieter and there are remote places but with 12 people its going to take at least 30 minutes to an hour to get going which by that time a park ranger or highway patrol will most likely spot you..

either trim your team or go legit.

I shot nudes at Joshua Tree.... you do not want to be caught or come off as a professional photographer.  So filming other than with Go Pro's would not be a good idea.

I went out to Cali last May shot nudes at Matador Beach in Malibue and the headed off to Salvation mountain ( Very cool location) and the Salton Sea.    Shot nudes for 5 hours all over town. 

If you keep it low key you will probably be ok ... If you come off like you are shooting a Hollywood epic you should seek a permit

There was a movie shot there a few years ago with Juno Temple I think it was called Little Birds, check that out

One of my images from the Salton Sea


https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/35940496

+18

I have not checked out Salton City... but over on the other side of the lake, all the cool abandoned buildings have been demolished or turned into museums... the nightclub, hotel, etc.

You might want to do a scouting trip first.  Also, these towns do seem to have a few residents left.  A big film crew would definitely attract attention.