Filming Guidelines - Petaluma Downtown Association, Petaluma, CA

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A Brief History of Filming in Petaluma

For more than 50 years, the City of Petaluma, California, has served as a backdrop for Hollywood films, and in more recent times, television commercials. The reason is due to Petaluma's unusual variety of architectural types consisting of styles ranging from Victorian elegance and turn of the century farms to present day urban settings...and everything in between.

This unique collection of architecture and landscapes has resulted in Petaluma's frequent use as a location for motion picture and television productions, along with a growing reputation as 'Hollywood North'.

As far as the commercials are concerned, the transitory nature of television makes it difficult to remember locations used in TV productions. Hundreds of commercials have been filmed in the town resulting in a frequent presence of Petaluma on television. Of particular interest are Ronald Reagan's famous 1984 Morning In America commercials which were filmed almost entirely in downtown Petaluma.

The following is a list of Films that have taken place, in part, in our very own Petaluma:

The Farmer's Daughter - 1947: Filmed at Scott Ranch on Adobe Rd, Star Loretta Young won her first and only Academy Award for her portrayal of "Katie" in this film.

The Egg and I - 1947: This Ma & Pa Kettle flick featuring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray was filmed entirely in Petaluma.

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House - 1948: Featuring Cary Grant and Myrna Loy, this took place almost entirely in Petaluma.

Pollyanna - 1960: This feel good film featuring Haley Mills, Jane Wyman, Richard Egan and Karl Malden was filmed in part in Petaluma.

Ground Zero - 1972: Released in Finland, this thriller featured scenes filmed at the old Wells Fargo Bank (currently Vintage Bank Antiques), and at the Petaluma Turning Basin.

American Graffiti - 1973: Undoubtedly the most well know Film made in Petaluma. Jerry's Cherries in the film, is the parking lot next to Mystic & McNear's. Petaluma Blvd, Western Ave, Kentucky St, Old Adobe Rd, Frates Rd, Gilardi's Baitshop on Bodega, and Petaluma High were all locations used in this Film. More >>

Heroes - 1977: Henry Winkler, Sally Field, and Harrison Ford starred in this flick about an unstable war veteran travelling cross county. The mail depot on Fourth and C St, Kentucky St and Walnut St were all locations used in this film. More>>

Mr. Billion - 1977: Filming was done at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds and the Petaluma Speedway.

Cujo - 1983: Stephen King's horror flick about a rabies infested St. Bernard featured the Scott Ranch Hills off of Corona Rd.

Explorers - 1985: A very young Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix starred in this absurd SciFi movie. Residental locations on D St, a huge old oak at the top of English St, and a tilt a whirl scene at Martha St were all used in this flick. More>>

Peggy Sue Got Married - 1986: Kathleen Turner, Nicolas Cage, Joan Allen and then unknown Jim Carrey starred in this flash back flick. Peggy Sue's hometown in the movie is Petaluma. Her home was portrayed as the white three story Victorian home located at 226 Liberty St. Filming was done at various locations on Petaluma Blvd North/South, Western Ave, Kentucky St, Fourth St, and D St as well. More>>

Howard the Duck - 1986: Lea Thompson, Tim Robbins, and Paul Builfoyle all starred in this wacky comedy. The ultralight aircraft took off from Western Ave and soared over the Petaluma River where the pursuing police cars crashed into the river.

P.K. and the Kid - 1987: This dramatic film features Molly Ringwald, and was filmed at The Hide-Away on Kentucky, Petaluma Valley Hospital, City Hall and at the Arm Wrestling Championships at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds.

Tucker: The Man and His Dreams - 1988: Featuring Jeff Bridges, Joan Allen, Christen Slater, Martin Landau and directed by Frances Ford Coppola. Scenes for this movie were filmed at the Petaluma Speedway.

Shadow of a Doubt (TV) - 1991: A TV version of the classic Hitchcock thriller, Downtown Petaluma and the Train depot were featured in this flick.

Basic Instinct - 1992: Filming took place at midnight for a couple days in Petaluma around St. Vincent Church, a small adjoining park, a row of houses at 26 and 28 Liberty St, on Western Ave and Petaluma Blvd North. More>>

Lolita - 1996: Featuring Jeramy Irons and Melanie Griffith, this movie featured scenes from Petaluma Blvd North, Western Ave, and the D Street Bridge.

Phenomenon - 1996: Featuring John Travolta, footage was filmed in rural Petaluma locations.

Merlin's Shop of Mystic Wonder - 1996: Mostly known for being featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000, the exterior of Merlin's titular shop is on Kentucky St.

Inventing the Abbotts - 1996: Liv Tyler, Joaquin Phoenix and Billy Crudup starred in this 1950 period piece about revenge, wealth and seduction. Heavily filmed in Downtown Petaluma, the Mystic, McNear's, Petaluma Blvd North, Western Ave, American Alley and Putnam Plaza were all used in the film. More>>

Paradise Cove - 1997: A scene from this movie was filmed on the Petaluma Queen Riverboat, and featured musican Bob Dylan.

Flubber - 1997: This Disney remake of 1961's The Absent Minded Professor starred Robin Williams and Marcia Gay Harden. The scene filmed in Petaluma was at the Church of the Open Door at the corner of Fifth and B Streets. More>>

Videoplasty - 1998: Concert footage of the metal band, Primus was shot at the Phoenix Theather.

Brian's House - 1998: Scenes from this movie were filmed at a Queen Anne Victorian home on Prospect Street.

Around the Fire - 1998: This film features a young Devon Sawa and Tara Reid and features scenes filmed at the Cypress Hill Cemetery.

Pleasantville - 1998: Starring Joan Allen, William H Macy, Toby Maguire and Reese Witherspoon, this film featured scenes filmed at Petaluma Blvd and Western Ave.

Mumford - 1999: Starring skateboarder Jason Lee, Martin Short and Zooey Deschanel, this captivating comedy was filmed largely in Petaluma. Locations included Liberty St, Western Ave, B Street (at Rex Hardware) and residences off of Sunnyslope Ave.

Never Die Twice - 2001: This low budget SciFi flick spent three days filming in Petaluma.

Hulk - 2003: A scence was done in this film showing a rancher in a truck reacting to the Hulk, and was shot in the hills above Lakeville Hwy and in rural southeastern Petaluma.

Cheaper by the Dozen - 2003: This remake of the 1950 movie of the same name featured Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt and Hilary Duff. The family home in fictional Midland, IL, was actually filmed in rural Petaluma.

The Hamiltons - 2005: This indie Horror flick was not only filmed around Petaluma, but co-written by Petaluman Adam Weis.

Molotov Alva - 2007: This strange documentary film tells the tale of a man living in Petaluma, who begins a new digital existence inside a virtual world, Second Life.

(Courtesy of http://www.chillybin.com/movies/index.html : There is a ridiculous amount of detailed info of films done in Petaluma, and pictures of the scenes... definitley check this site out and take the tour!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petaluma,_California and

http://www.filminamerica.com/PacificNorthwest/NCA/SonomaCounty/Petaluma/ )

Joaquin Phoenix and Billy Crudup in American Alley.

Filming Guidelines

The following guidelines must be followed when filming within the membership district of the Petaluma Downtown Association. Exceptions must be made in advance through this office:

1. Film companies wishing to film within the membership boundaries of the Petaluma Downtown Association must obtain clearance from this office concurrent with the permit process with the City of Petaluma. All filming in the downtown district impacts businesses either directly or indirectly. The Petaluma Downtown Association will review the proposed shoot, work with the film company to reduce impact, assist the film company with information and location requirements in the downtown district, supply information on the businesses located in the district, and coordinate all approvals with the City Manager’s office.

2. The request for a feature film or T.V. movie permit must be submitted 30 days prior tothe first day of filming. All other types of filming are required to submit their applicationtwo weeks before filming begins unless otherwise waived by this office.

3. Filming is limited to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and non-holidays, and may not conflict with downtown events. Friday and weekend filming is negotiable. No filming is allowed from the day before Thanksgiving until January 2nd.

4. Filming hours in the downtown may be limited. No street closures, including intermittent traffic control, will be allowed between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to facilitate commuter traffic and after-work shopping.

5. The P.D.A. Executive Director will be the liaison for the film company between the City Manager’s office and the Sonoma County Film office.

6. The P.D.A. Executive Director may assist in the notification process by supplying the names and addresses of the businesses in the affected area and by approving the notification and petition forms for factual accuracy. Samples of the forms will be made available to the film company.

7. All filming must be approved in writing by 70% of the businesses who are “directly impacted” by filming. The area of direct impact will be determined by the Executive Director after reviewing film locations with the film company.

“Directly impacted” is defined as those areas where parking, traffic and sidewalk restrictions are created, and normal business is impacted by film company activity one block in all directions. The approval to film in these areas must be in writing and can be in the form of a petition to be verified by the P.D.A. Executive Director. These areas may or may not be in the central filming location.

“Indirectly impacted” is defined as those areas in the filming location that do not meet the “directly impacted” definition and are within two blocks in all directions of the filming site. These businesses must be notified of filming activity by notice. Samples are available at the P.D.A. office.

8. Traffic and parking recommendations: Intermittent traffic closures will be allowed and limited to not more than 3 minutes in duration, with a total closure of not more then 30 minutes per hour. It is recognized that the police officer and/or on-site coordinator (city representative) must facilitate the traffic for the benefit of the community FIRST and will use their best judgment to do so.

9. Fees: A maximum fee of $500.00 for each day of filming in the district may be required as compensation for the association’s administrative assistance. Any negotiation of this fee is at the discretion of the Executive Director, with the approval of the Board.

10. Every merchant directly impacted should receive a base fee of $350 per day. In lieu of the fee, merchants who are more severely impacted may negotiate reimbursement based upon presentation of gross receipts (gross sales less cost of goods sold) average of the last four similar (non- holiday) business days proceeding the filming.

11. If the film company needs to use the property of any business and make physical changes to signs, paint the building, or alter any physical characteristics of the property, it is up to the film company to negotiate a satisfactory individual contract (in addition to the base fee) with the business owner. All changes to buildings, signs, etc., must meet the city and downtown ordinances and guidelines, and any changes which are not in compliance at the completion of filming will be the responsibility of the film company to correct.

12. All base and contract monies must be paid up front before filming is to begin.

13. The City of Petaluma will notify the press of intended filming dates and film activity in the local papers.

14. Film companies are expected to uphold the filmmaker’s Code of Professional Responsibility as set forth by the California Film Commission.

You can Download this information in a PDF format from the link at the top of the page as well

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