Lessons and Locations of Previous Productions
A look back at the films, series, and commercials shot in Santa Barbara County and what their crews learned. Each case study pairs a production with the locations it used and practical lessons for productions planning similar shoots.
What's included
- Case studies of notable productions filmed in the county
- Locations used, with links to each location page
- Logistics lessons on access, weather, and light
- How past productions worked with local jurisdictions
- Ideas for locations that can double for other places
- Updated as new productions are added
What's inside
Chapter 1: A Filming History — Santa Barbara County's place in film from the silent era to today.
Chapter 2: Coast and Beaches — productions on the shoreline and dunes, and lessons on tides, wind, and coastal permits.
Chapter 3: Missions, Adobes, and Estates — period and estate shoots and how they handled historic sites.
Chapter 4: Ranches and Wine Country — rural productions, long company moves, and working with landowners.
Chapter 5: Town and Downtown — street filming, traffic control, and neighborhood relations.
Chapter 6: Lessons Learned — common pitfalls and recommendations gathered from past productions.