Film Aboard Battleship iOWA in Los Angeles

Film Aboard Battleship IOWA in Los Angeles

One Ship. Hundreds of Production Locations.

When your production needs the scale, detail, and authenticity of a real ship, bring it aboard Battleship IOWA.

Located at the Port of Los Angeles, Battleship IOWA offers productions access to an extraordinary collection of exterior decks, working compartments, command spaces, machinery, and waterfront backdrops—all within the Los Angeles production zone.

The ship can portray far more than a World War II battleship. Its many levels and visually distinct compartments have represented battleships, destroyers, cruisers, aircraft carriers, submarines, and other naval and commercial vessels.

From a narrow steel passageway to the open deck of a major warship, multiple looks can be captured without leaving the ship.

Contact us at filming@labattleship.com or 877-446-9261 ext. 703 to schedule a location visit.

A Production Location That Cannot Be Recreated Easily

Nearly three football fields long, Battleship IOWA provides the physical scale and layered detail that are difficult to reproduce on a soundstage.

The ship combines massive exterior architecture with hundreds of authentic interior spaces. Steel bulkheads, ladders, pipes, machinery, control panels, equipment, berthing and working compartments give productions depth in every direction.

Available settings include:

• Exterior decks and passageways
• Massive naval guns and weapons areas
• Bridge and navigation spaces
• Combat and command environments
• Engineering and machinery spaces
• Crew berthing and sleeping compartments
• Mess decks and food-service areas
• Senior officers’ cabins
• Medical and hospital spaces
• Communications and operations rooms
• Workshops, storage areas and industrial compartments
• Helicopter and aviation areas
• Open decks with harbor, bridge and port views

This variety lets production establish the vessel outside, then move through multiple interior environments while staying at one principal location.

One Ship That Can Play Many Roles

Battleship IOWA contains spaces spanning several generations of naval technology. Depending on the selected compartment, production design, and camera angle, the ship can support stories set during World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, or a more contemporary period.

Spaces aboard the ship may be used to portray:

• Battleships
• Destroyers and cruisers
• Aircraft carriers
• Submarines
• Command centers
• Military installation
• Industrial facilities
• Merchant and cargo vessels
• Engine and mechanical rooms
• Bunkrooms, hospitals, and institutional spaces
• Fictional ships and secure facilities

That flexibility makes Battleship IOWA useful for feature films, television series, commercials, documentaries, music videos, promotional productions, interviews, and still photography.

Built for the Camera

Battleship IOWA offers more than historical accuracy. It provides strong production value in almost every direction.

Exterior decks deliver scale, symmetry, and unobstructed views of the ship’s guns, superstructure, and Los Angeles Harbor. Interior spaces range from intimate cabins to mechanical environments filled with steel, pipes, equipment, and layered textures.

Productions can capture:

• Hero views along the ship’s deck
• Long passageways with practical depth
• Tight, high-tension interior environments
• Large industrial and engineering settings
• Authentic command and operational spaces
• Natural waterfront and port backgrounds
• Day, sunset, and nighttime exterior looks.
• Establishing shots that immediately communicate scale

The result is a location that can feel historic, modern, industrial, military, or entirely fictional depending on the needs of the story.

Experienced With Film, Television and Commercial Production

Battleship IOWA has hosted film, television, commercial, documentary, and photography projects ranging from small crews to complex productions.

Our onboard team understands that every shoot is different. We work with location managers and production teams to identify appropriate spaces, assess access requirements, and understand how the requested activity may affect the historic ship and museum operations.

Production planning may include:

• Initial location research
• Technical scouts
• Compartment and deck selection
• Load-in and load-out planning
• Crew and equipment access
• Power and technical requirements
• Production schedules
• Holding and support-space needs
• Parking and basecamp coordination
• Safety requirements
• Historic preservation considerations
• Catering and crew meals

Access, available spaces, and operating hours depend on the production’s scope, schedule, and impact.

Production Support and Crew Catering

Battleship IOWA offers full-service catering that can provide meals and refreshments for cast and crew.

Numerous onboard areas may be used for crew meals, holding, meetings, or production support, depending on the size of the production and available space. Include catering and support requirements in the initial inquiry so they can be considered during planning.

Conveniently Located in Los Angeles

Battleship IOWA is permanently berthed on the Los Angeles Waterfront in San Pedro, between the greater Los Angeles production community and Long Beach.

Its location within the Port of Los Angeles provides access to a working waterfront filled with cranes, ships, industrial structures, bridges, and harbor views. The ship is accessible from the Harbor Freeway and is located beside a large public parking area shared with the Los Angeles World Cruise Center.

Coordinate parking, basecamp, large-vehicle access, and equipment staging in advance; you may need approval from additional agencies.

Film Permits, Insurance and Advance Planning

Commercial filming and still photography within the Port of Los Angeles require advance approval, applicable permits, and insurance.

Productions should begin by contacting the Battleship IOWA filming team to discuss creative needs, proposed dates, crew size, equipment, and the areas being considered. After the location and scope are reviewed, the production will be advised of ship requirements and how to coordinate with the appropriate permitting authorities.

Filming within the Port generally requires:

• Approval from Battleship IOWA
• Port of Los Angeles preapproval and application
• A City of Los Angeles film permit through FilmLA
• Required insurance documentation
• Applicable safety personnel or agency review
• Adequate time for permit and insurance processing

The Port of Los Angeles generally requires applications to reach FilmLA at least seven business days before the first filming-related activity. More complicated productions may require additional review and lead time.

Permit rules, timelines, and agency requirements can change. Productions should confirm current requirements with FilmLA and the Port of Los Angeles before finalizing a schedule.

Protecting an Irreplaceable Location

Battleship IOWA is an authentic historic vessel, museum and memorial. Production activity must be planned to protect the ship, its collections and the safety of everyone onboard.

Some locations have steep ladders, narrow passageways, low clearances and limited equipment access. Certain equipment, effects, alterations or activities may be restricted. Proposed stunts, weapons, atmospheric effects, drones, water activity, pyrotechnics, temporary construction, and other exceptional activity require specific review and may require additional permits or safety personnel.

We strongly recommend an advance technical scout before budgeting or finalizing the production plan.

Schedule a Location Scout

Please tell us what your production needs, and we will help determine whether Battleship IOWA can deliver the right environments.

Include the following information with your inquiry:

• Production company and project title
• Type of production
• Proposed scout, prep, filming, and strike dates
• Estimated cast and crew size
• Spaces or visual environments needed
• Equipment and access requirements
• Special effects, stunts, drones, or unusual activity
• Parking, basecamp, and support needs
• Catering and crew-meal requirements
• Primary production contact

To discuss rates, availability, or a location scout:

Call: 877-446-9261 ext. 703
Email: filming@labattleship.com

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of productions can film aboard Battleship IOWA?

Battleship IOWA can accommodate feature films, television series, commercials, documentaries, interviews, music videos, promotional projects, and still photography, subject to availability and approval.

Can the ship portray vessels other than Battleship IOWA?

Yes. Different decks and compartments can portray battleships, destroyers, cruisers, aircraft carriers, submarines, merchant vessels, industrial facilities, and fictional ships.

Are interior and exterior locations available?

Yes. The ship offers exterior decks, command areas, engineering spaces, berthing, mess decks, officers’ cabins, medical spaces, workshops, and numerous other environments. Access varies by production requirements and museum operations.

Can productions scout the ship before booking?

Yes. A location scout is strongly recommended. Contact the filming team to discuss the project and arrange a visit.

Are permits and production insurance required?

Yes. Commercial filming and still photography require applicable permits, approvals, and insurance. Requirements depend on the proposed activity. The Battleship IOWA team can help identify the coordination needed for the requested location.

Is cast and crew catering available?

Yes. Battleship IOWA has a full-service catering operation and onboard spaces that may be used for cast and crew meals, holding, and production support.

Are parking and basecamp areas available?

Parking and basecamp options depend on the production’s size, dates, and waterfront operations. Identify these needs during the initial inquiry and coordinate with the ship and applicable Port authorities.

Can productions use drones, special effects, or prop weapons?

These activities require advance disclosure and specific approval. Additional permits, safety personnel, or agency review may be required, and some activities may not be allowed aboard the historic ship.