Filming a movie in Santa Cruz or Monterey County

Film & production support

Santa Cruz & Monterey County — Crew, A/V, Payroll & Logistics

From seaside boardwalks and redwood forests to mountain roads and classic downtowns, the Monterey Bay offers cinematic looks with short company moves. Mindwarp Entertainment Productions supplies local crew, pro A/V rentals with technicians, AB5-compliant payroll, and on-the-ground logistics to keep your shoot safe, compliant, and on schedule.

Request a quote Call/Text 831-252-2662
Popular looks: coastline • boardwalk • piers • forests • state beaches • historic streets • modern corporate • night exteriors Local CrewsWorkers’ CompUnion FriendlyFast Load-ins

Why Film Here?

  • Stunning coastline, redwoods, classic boardwalk & downtown textures
  • Compact geography = efficient company moves
  • Seasoned local crews; venue-familiar load-in paths

Notable Films (selection)

  • Harold & Maude (1971) — West Cliff
  • Sudden Impact (1983) — Boardwalk
  • The Lost Boys (1987) — Boardwalk & Pogonip
  • Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
  • Chasing Mavericks (2012)
  • Us (2019) — Henry Cowell Redwoods

What We Provide

  • Stagehand brokering & local crew: grips, electrics, riggers, A/V techs, camera ops, loaders.
  • A/V rentals with technicians: sound, lighting, power, comms, video, projection/LED.
  • AB5-compliant payroll: W-2 onboarding, timecards, CA OT/DT, workers’ comp, taxes & W-2s.
  • SFX & atmospherics: hazers, low fog, CO₂ cryo, snow, confetti (venue-permitting).
  • Light art installs: temporary scenic/lighting looks for hero shots & night work.

Primary coverage: Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties. Select services by arrangement elsewhere in California.

Permits — What to Expect

  • COI (often $1M+) naming jurisdiction as additional insured
  • Locations breakdown & schedule
  • Authorized signature & payment in advance
  • Traffic control, fire safety, site monitors as required

We coordinate with local offices and advise on timelines/costs.

Local Crew

  • Stagehand brokering — grips, electrics, riggers, A/V techs
  • Venue-familiar teams; fast load-ins

Union FriendlyRiggersCamera

A/V & SFX

Projection/LEDCommsPower

Primary Service Area

Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties — including Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Salinas, Watsonville, Scotts Valley, Felton, Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Big Sur, Davenport, and more.

Select services available elsewhere in California by arrangement.