Commercial Filming and Photography: Frequently Asked Questions

The location fee varies depending on whether you are shooting stills or motion picture (which includes video/behind the scenes), day of the week, size of your crew, and scope of work. Contact us {hyperlink to contact page} for more information. 

Yes, student projects are permitted but the same rules, procedures, insurance requirements, and commercial film/photography rates apply. A letter signed by an authorized administrator on school letterhead stating the student is currently enrolled and working on a student project is also required. 

Yes and no. The Huntington is located in the City of San Marino, which requires a permit. Conveniently, however, filming on our property is permitted through our office. When you contact us to discuss location fees, we will also disclose the permit fees. Permits are required for prep and strike days as well as shooting days. Please note that permitting must go through The Huntington’s filming office. We do not work with outside permitting services.

One parking aisle in our parking lot is included in the day rate. Additional parking may be available at an additional cost, depending on the day of the week and time of the year.

Use this map as required by the San Marino and Pasadena traffic departments. Please distribute the map to all cast, crew, and vendors. Note that this map directs you to a gate (Allen Ave.) that is different from the mailing address listed on Google. Production-related vehicles using any other route may result in fines and/or other delays. 

When coming to scout, please use “1800 Orlando Rd. San Marino” in your GPS/map app. 

Possibly, depending on availability. Please call 626-405-2215 to arrange a time. Scouting is by appointment only, scheduled on weekdays during business hours.

Contact us {hyperlink to contact page} to arrange a scouting appointment. We can check the availability of your preferred date  and discuss specific filming areas, logistics, rates, policies, etc.

Probably not; we normally require a minimum of three working days to set up a simple shoot, and more time than that if there are complex requirements or more than one location. But it’s worth a call, since we sometimes have cancellations. 

Filming is possible in most areas of the property on weekdays and occasionally on weekends. Tuesdays are the easiest day for filming because we’re closed to the public, although we still have staff, researchers, and, occasionally, special events on the grounds. In some areas, shooting is restricted to Tuesdays or nonpublic hours, including the Asian Gardens, Conservatory, and Children’s Garden.

At this time, we do not allow filming overnight. All shoots must wrap by 10 p.m. At certain times of the year, exceptions may be possible. Please call us to discuss your needs. 

Quite possibly—it depends on where and what it is.

• The 2020 film Mank built multiple sets to replicate Hearst Castle, including a full-scale silent-movie backlot on our Australian Lawn.
• NBC’s The Good Place built a yurt at our Lily Ponds.
• Miniseries The Dropout dressed a courtyard in our Chinese Garden to play a park in Beijing.
• 2005 film Memoirs of a Geisha built a 30-foot flowering cherry tree in our Japanese Garden.
• 2010 comedy Little Fockers built an over-the-top children’s birthday party, filling our Australian Lawn, and left it up for two months.  

Whatever you have in mind, it’s worth at least asking about it. 

Filming is not allowed in galleries; there are outdoor spaces that play interiors and other indoor spaces, like lobbies, are sometimes available.

Simultaneous multiple units are allowed but will incur additional fees. 

Yes, all shoots are required to review and agree to adhere to our Production Guidelines {hyperlink to the PDF} as part of our Location Agreement contract. 

Use of drones may be approved on a case-by-case basis. They require additional fees and insurance and are subject to special permitting.

Many things are possible. Please call us to discuss your specific needs.

Outside catering and craft services are permitted.

We may have multiple suitable private event spaces. There may also be areas where holding tents can be used. Please call us to discuss your needs.

The roses bloom from about mid-April to January 2, when pruning begins. Our wide variety of plants and thematic gardens means that something is always blooming. See a month-by-month listing. 

No.

The property covers 207 acres, of which approximately 130 are public gardens. Some of the nonpublic areas, such as the back woods, nurseries, and work areas are also filmable.

The Huntington is a smoke-free environment. Absolutely no smoking or vaping is permitted anywhere on The Huntington property. Non-tobacco smoking in a scene can be allowed.

For more information on The Huntington, please visit our About page. You can also find some quick information in our “In Fact” document, listed there.