Anyone here know California (Or even live there)?

[Super8kid]

Hey everyone!

Super8kid here (formally newsuper8er, but changed my name since I'm not really new to this anymore ).

Anyway, here’s the lowdown:

This summer I will be travelling to California for a bit, hopefully to meet some new people, make some friends and take a look at a handful of universities I'd like to go to next year!

I'd also like to shoot a little Super 8 movie while im there, and take advantage of a few locations that I have not got available to me here in England :roll:. So by posting this message up here, I was hoping that I might get some feedback and ideas from any of you good people who happen to be in California . Also, if anyone would be interested in shooting any Super 8 with me this summer that would be very cool too! So . . . here goes, below is a list of the basic things I am looking for in my film. Oh by the way, this is gonna be kind of . . how do I put it . . . like a 50s UFO invasion B-movie if u like, but maybe not as cheesy . If anyone is interested I can tell u guys more.

For the first part, I’d like to shoot in a Drive-In movie theatre (I think some of them are still in use, but I'm not sure) . .

For the second part, some woodland/forest area . . .

Then for the most part of the film, I was thinking of typical suburbia (almost like something of the areas seen in Poltergeist or E.T) . . . and even shoot a little in one of the houses if I could.

Now I know that this might sound a little ambitious, but any help or ideas would be great! Here in Bournemouth, England, I never get to make any of the short films I want to, mainly because people won’t let me shoot anywhere (outside of my own house that is), and kind of hope that people might be a little more friendly and helpful over in California . . . (sorry if I sound a little off-putting about the place where I live at the moment. England is very nice, and it’s only the actual town I live in that I’m having problems with).

By the way im 18, and very interested to meet any other Super 8 shooters like myself (well, you know what I mean, similar age, still at Uni, etc.)

Thanks!

Steven.

[steve hyde]

....Sounds like fun. I don't live in California although I've spent much time there. Eastern California is off the map for most people. You should explore it. Also, Joshua Tree National Monument, which is only a couple of hours from LA is basically from another planet.....If you know what I mean..

Cheers,

Steve

[kentbulza]

Unfortunately, almost every drive-in movie theatre in california is closed. I work with an organization that tries to save these kinds of historical places but, for example, there is only one single screen drive-in structure left in Los Angeles county, and it's very close to being demolished and not operating.

Try this website for some info:

http://roadsidepeek.com/driveins/index.htm

I think what's left in Southern California is down to The Vineland in City Of Industry and The Rubidoux, in Riverside. I don't know the Northern California ones, but I could get someone to help you.

The types of suburbs you're looking for are probably best found in the northern part of the San Fernando Valley. Orange County also has similar looking areas, but most of what's there now doesn't have the late 70's look any more, or if it does, it's turned a little slummy. If you're happy with a similar look in 90s-00s style homes, there's lots and lots in the Inland Empire, which is Riverside and San Bernardino county, east of Los Angeles. There may also be some earlier ones there too, but fewer as that area has been more recently developed.

Southern California is not the best for dense woodlands. There are lots of densely wooded areas in Northern California. If you're looking for a little more unusual look, Joshua Tree, which was already mentioned, is great. I also would like to add the Bristle Cone Pine forests in the White Mountains Death Valley. They're a little surreal because they're sort of miniature pines, so people look out of scale compared to other pines. A good way to visit this place, is to take highway 395 north from Los Angeles and go in the back way through an old ghost town called Cerro Gordo. Here's one link I found on the web: http://www.4x4wire.com/destinations/tra ... errogordo/.

Good luck!

[mattias]

For the second part, some woodland/forest area . . .

i've no idea what kind of forest you're looking for, but you'll find some of the coolest around bishop, near yosemite. or were you just going to the south?

/matt

[Super8kid]

i've no idea what kind of forest you're looking for, but you'll find some of the coolest around bishop, near yosemite. or were you just going to the south?

/matt

Hi Mattias (and everyone else),

Hmm . . im keeping my options pretty open at the moment, so im not gonna be to exact about what part of California im gonna go to yet. Thanks for the ideas about forests though! Ill add these places to my itininary when i go.

As far as the Drive in movie theaters go, im suprised a few of them arnt being kept alive by people who like the nostalga of that kinda thing. Although ive never been to one myself (too young and not in the US) i imagine they would have been alot of fun at the time.

I even bought this the other day just for fun (oh and research too 8) ): http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... RK:MEWN:IT

He he he :lol:

Anyway, thanks for the help guys!

More suggestions like these would be great. And with luck ill manage to get the shots i need this summer.


Steven.

[Super8kid]

Oh and thanks to kentbulza, those links where very helpful. I feel that im gonna need to stay in California for quite a while just exploring these little places . . .

I'll probaly start off in Los Angeles though, so any advice would be invaluble to me (considering u live there )

Thank you,

Steven.

[steve hyde]

.....go to Wim Wender's website and check out his panoramic photograph of a drive in movie theatre. (maybe you can find that one) It may be in Nevada?? I agree with Mattias, there are amazing Bristle Cone pine forests in the White Mountains near Bishop, they are the oldest living trees in North America and are twisted by literally more than a thousand years of wind storms. Just google for an image of one. As I'm sure you are well aware the North Coast of California has the biggest Redwood trees in the world. If you want to see mind-blowing suburbanization just go to Las Vegas. (just four hours from LA) Someone could make a timelapse of urbansprawl in that place...

Have fun,

Steve

[Super8kid]

Thanks guys,

I have a pretty good idea of where I can go for my woodland area now. Which is great! Also I have emailed a few Drive in movie theatres, concerning filming in them.

There seem to be so many exciting and beautiful places in California, I cant wait to go there this summer and explore (maybe get some holiday footage with my Super 8 camera too 8) )

All this help is great guys. Anymore ideas, suggestions or people interested in helping out is very much appreciated

Ill keep u guys updated on the project . . .

Thanks,

Steven.

[super8man]

Plenty of drive in movies every night (not sure how they ran over the winter) but the have a 3 or 4 screen drive in that you can actually see when you drive by on Highway 50 - its in Rancho Cordova, another suburb of Sacramento.

California is unlike England in that it is big...you will be lucky to explore Los Angeles properly in the time you want to spend and then you will start to realize that Canada and the USA are a lot larger than most Europeans even imagine...sort of like saying I am going to Australia and want to see Syndey, Surfer's Paradise AND Perth in a two week stint - possible but not likely.

Stick with LA and fully explore the beach scene, the boardwalks, the rolling hills and if you are lucky, venture out on I10 and head east towards Yuma Arizona...then you will see a part of America many people do not see except in movies like The Border.

All the best in your travels!
mike

[SoCal Chris]

Super8Kid - I just got back from visiting Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Santa Barbara with my duaghter. While in San Luis Obispo they mentioned that they still had an operating drive-in theater in town and there are several bed-and-breakfast establishments in cool looking old houses. This might be one suggestion for a location for you. I have to agree with the others about the east side of the Sierras. It is drop-dead beautiful whether filming or not. Between the deserts, mountains, beaches, and valleys, I'm sure you can find plenty of locations for your film.

[nonkjo]

I second visiting Joshua Tree National Monument (if there's no wind, it's so quit out there, you can hear your own heart beat...provided your not also running your S8)

If you're going to LA, cruise up the Angeles Crest Highway or head south to San Juan Capistrano and drive the Ortega Highway (Highway 78 I think? I haven't been thee in a couple of years)...The Angeles Crest takes you into the Angeles National Forest and the Ortega Highway takes you through Cleveland National Forest and on to Lake Elsinore..If you rare shooting a retro style 50's alien invasion, there's place called the Lookout Roadhouse..basically a small, hole in the wall diner where the motorcyclists and car enthusiasts go on the weekends. Great mountain views and very cool scenery.

Head northeast out of LA and into the high desert towards Lancaster, California...If you've seen the movie Spies like Us ith Chevy Chase and Dan Akroyd, that deserted Drive In movie theater is located there...or at least it was a few years ago. Edwards Air Force Base is also out there...You could use the front gate for an establishing shot if you're going for the whole "alien attack and government conspiracy" thing. It woudn't hurt to let them know you are a tourist and just shooting what can be seen from the street. More than likely you won't be able to film the guards and stuff, even from a distance and even if you can't see their faces...it's a security thing...but if you do drive up to the gate and ask if it's ok to shoot a minute or two from the street...they should be pretty cool with it since it's not sensitive material.

Good luck and have fun,
James Green

[BolexPlusX]

I went out to San Francisco twice on business last year. The second time I brought a camera and a couple of rolls of K-40. They put me in a hotel across from Fisherman's Wharf, so I just strolled out the front door and started filming. What a great place to film! There's all sorts of activities and slightly unusual modes of transportation all happening within a few blocks radius. You turn this way, there's the Golden Gate Bridge, you turn that way, there's Alcatraz, you turn around, there's a cable car or a trolley. A little bit down the street is the wharf with all the sea lions on it. The light was also unusual there in a way I can't even begin to describe, but it showed up beautifully on the film.

Definitely recommended!

[Macnessa]

One interesting place to shoot in L.A. for street scenes is Venice Beach. Lot of color and character there. Also, on the Pacific Coast Highway just before you hit the Ventura County line, there's some spectacular state beaches at the bottom of the cliffs, with some really strange rock formations. The beach is called El Matador, and the sign is pretty small, so look sharp. It reminded me of a mini cliffs of Moher in Ireland.

[Alex]

Venice Beach is kind of a weird place to shoot.

Some of the human "exhibitions" actually put signs up that say "do not film me". Sometimes they just want a "donation" and it's OK. Other times they really don't want you to film them.

However, if you find a spot and actually might want to film a scene, you'll probably be welcomed since that would be a step above just grabbing a shot of them. However, if you need dialogue, that might not happen because of sound playback that can come from a number of places.

It's still cool to visit however even if you decide filming there won't work.

[Super8kid]

Head northeast out of LA and into the high desert towards Lancaster, California...If you've seen the movie Spies like Us ith Chevy Chase and Dan Akroyd, that deserted Drive In movie theater is located there...or at least it was a few years ago. Edwards Air Force Base is also out there...You could use the front gate for an establishing shot if you're going for the whole "alien attack and government conspiracy" thing. It woudn't hurt to let them know you are a tourist and just shooting what can be seen from the street. More than likely you won't be able to film the guards and stuff, even from a distance and even if you can't see their faces...it's a security thing...but if you do drive up to the gate and ask if it's ok to shoot a minute or two from the street...they should be pretty cool with it since it's not sensitive material.

Thanks James!

Some good ideas there. I have seen TV shows before where people have tried to film for documentaries outside Airforce bases . . (doing the whole "Area 51" thing). I remember seeing the guards telling the documentary maker to leave. Anyway good idea . . i might just try that. Ill buy a copy of Spies Like Us too, and take a look at the Drive In. I hope i dont have any problems filming at one . . except getting permission. I just hope and pray that the owners will be helpful enough .

There are so many amazing places i am finding out about now . . . I will be careful not to try and pack my out itininery too much (dont wanna forget to make my movie :lol: )

Anyway once again, thanks for the suggestions!

More of these replies and i will really start to feel that this film is going from a script and some storyboards to reality! Which is always a good thing

Steven.