The Best Film Sets for True Crime Documentaries in LA

22 May The Best Film Sets for True Crime Documentaries in LA

The Best Film Sets for True Crime Documentaries in LA –

True crime is booming—but here’s the problem: Real police departments don’t want film crews around. Between privacy laws, active cases, and skeptical detectives, getting authentic law enforcement locations is nearly impossible.

That’s why shows like The Jinx and Making a Murderer rely on studio sets to recreate those crucial interrogation rooms and crime scenes. At Warehouse 1 Productions, our spaces have stood in for everything from small-town sheriff’s offices to FBI headquarters. Here’s how to use them for your project.

1. The Interrogation Room (Our Most Booked Set)

Why It Works:
– One-way mirror (the iconic true crime staple)
– Adjustable props (switch out case files, evidence bags)
– Soundproofed (no outside noise ruining your “gotcha” moment)

Pro Tricks:
– Tape a small mic under the table for that Serial-style intimate audio
– Use cool white fluorescents + slight flicker for unease
– Add coffee stains on files to show “long night of questioning”

Recent Use: A Dateline-style reenactment shot here saved $12,000 vs. location permits.

2. The Police Station (Full Workaround)

What We Offer:
– Front desk with bulletproof glass option
– Holding cell (real metal bars, not PVC pipe)
– Mugshot backdrop with height markers

Dress It For:
– 1970s cold case (add wood paneling, rotary phones)
– Modern FBI (sleek monitors, federal seals)
– Corrupt small town (peeling paint, outdated tech)

Budget Tip: A true crime podcast used our set for 12 different departments just by changing nameplates.

3. The “Crime Scene” Apartment

Our Living Room Set Transformed:
– Blood spatter patterns (removable for reshoots)
– Evidence markers (we have numbered tents)
– Yellow tape at doorways

Lighting for Realism:
– Flashlight beams (actor-held for documentary feel)
– UV light to reveal “hidden” stains
– Dusk through blinds for eerie reenactments

4. The Morgue (Surprisingly Simple)

How We Fake It:
– Metal gurneys from our prop inventory
– Blue-green lighting (medical facility vibe)
– Fake autopsy tools (silicone organs optional)

Ethical Note: We recommend implying rather than showing graphic details—audiences imagine worse.

5. The “Found Footage” Look

Shoot Like It’s Real Evidence:
1. Use handheld cameras (no stabilizers)
2. Add VHS filters in post (but shoot clean first)
3. Interrupt with “glitches” (missing tape effect)

Example: A Netflix crew combined our interrogation room with bodycam footage for seamless transitions.

The True Crime Shortcut

Instead of:
❌ Waiting months for police approval
❌ Paying for real EMTs on standby
❌ Reshooting when real cops get called away

Our sets offer:
✅ Available 24/7
✅ No jurisdictional issues
✅ Reset for multiple cases

Special True Crime Packages

We now offer:
– “Bulk reenactment” discounts (10+ days)
– Prop rentals (police uniforms, evidence kits)
– Expert recommendations (we’ve worked with ID Channel crews)

Need an authentic (but filmable) crime scene? Book at Warehouse 1 Productions call 818-940-1574.