Cheesy Hotel in Los Angeles to rent?

[dfphoto]

Hi group, I'm going to UCLA for directing, I'm in need of a location to shoot a poker scene, having a hard time, and my project is suppose to shoot this week.

Wondering if anyone knows of a cheap hotel in LA that I can rent and shoot in.

Thanks Dave

[Zensteve]

There's no shortage of hotels in LA... but you don't have any friends with a shared house, or an apartment to shoot in?

[dfphoto]

Hi Zensteve,

If I had a friend that would allow it I would do it... same if I had a place that would work, but I don't.
I meant if someone had rented a hotel to use, I know there are a lot of them but not sure if I can film there without getting hassled... I don't need amazing just workable but most hotels don't have the room to shoot a card game most have a bed and that's basically it.

[directorik]

You're right; a cheap hotel room will be small with barely room
for a bed, a TV and a small table. A hotel that is big enough for
you to shoot a poker game will not be cheap. You won't get
hassled if you are quiet and do not allow cast and crew to come
and go from the room. I know from experience.

So how much can you spend and how long do you need the room?

[dfphoto]

Hi I think I can shoot the entire shot in 7 hours 2 hours prep with crew (if any) 4 hours with talent 1 hour exit
I forgot another hotel issue, 3-4pm check-in 11am check-out

around where I live South Bay, I can probably try one of those extended suites or something like that they go for 65-135 a night... trying to get a bar I go to and an old library

[dfphoto]

the library is a wedding venue that would be great but we'll have to see.....

[Zensteve]

Just found out some buddies of mine happen to be shooting a poker night thing this weekend, at a poker school in IE somewhere. Legit place, with play tables, etc. I'll find out the name of the place; might be out of your budget & means (probably requires production insurance, too) but you never know.

Heh, they asked me to be work on it - was doing something else, or I'd have all the details already.

[directorik]

Looks like you are on the right path.

The extended stay hotels that offer a bigger room are not "cheesy".
Something like the Extended Stay America in Gardena is in your
price range (about $80) but the rooms are quite nice. Same with
the Comfort Inn chain. They are in your range, but rooms are not
"cheesy" A cheesy hotel room is going to be quite small.

I can't help you with any in the South Bay area, but if you still need
a cheesy hotel in the Hollywood/Los Angles area I can offer some
suggestions.

[dfphoto]

Hi I'm open to Hollywood I just happen to live in the SB... I've never rented a hotel to shoot in, not sure if they hassle you or as long as you don't wreck the place and your credit card works...

Have to say the UCLA classes are cool but didn't expect so much time to look for locations.

[directorik]

The key to not being hassled is to not do anything that will draw
attention. A hotel is expecting one or two people - if they see five
or six people coming and going they will hassle you. Unload all your
equipment alone. Then once everyone is inside the room keep
them there. The smaller the hotel is the more likely you’ll draw
attention. A bigger hotel with rooms farther away from the check
in area is better.

If you rent for one day you will have to shoot at night. As you
mentioned check in is typically after noon and sometimes as late
as 3PM.

You want cheesy check out the Budget Inn Hollywood or the Vagabond
(on Vine in Hollywood). I have shot in both. The rooms are small and
you gotta be careful about people coming and going. I live a few blocks
from Hollywood Palms Inn. They recently renovated the place and I
put my dad there when he stays for an overnight visit. Again, it’s small
and all rooms can be seen from the check in desk so you’ll have to be
discreet. But with a small cast and no crew the only issue should be
parking.

Best I can do with the limited info you provided.

[dfphoto]

Thank you very much for the information, I'm student at UCLA, this is my 4th project, we're having to output a new project every 2-3 weeks and with editing and trying to learn Premiere from FCP 7 it's been pretty hectic, just to make my life miserable, I am using a Macbook Pro and learning all the issues with the computer not charging when it's under a power strain, add Adobe CS6 and it's constant crashing and Magic Bullet/Resolve just to make me never sleep! It's hard doing it one man band style, learning you can't really direct when you're running the camera, but it's hard to let go of those kinds of things.

I forgot that just feeding people and buying gear is wiping me out otherwise money wouldn't be a big deal meaning renting hotels and that kind of thing. I'm freelance and I just lost my only repeat client so that's added a little stress.