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Want to be on TV? Free Things to Do in LA: Join a Live TV Audience
- Alyssa
- Jun 30
- 10 min read
When you think of Los Angeles, what comes to mind first? For us, it’s Hollywood, where the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world come alive. From large-scale blockbuster productions to local filming sets, LA is packed with opportunities. But, did you know that you can be a part of a live TV show, for free?
One of the best free things to do in LA is scoring a spot in a live studio audience. Whether you're hoping for a glimpse of your favorite celebrities or simply want a unique LA experience, this is a fun and affordable way to immerse yourself in the city’s iconic entertainment culture. In this post, we’ll share exactly how we were part of a live studio audience in Los Angeles, along with tips and resources to help you plan your own Hollywood moment, without spending a dime!
How to Get Free Tickets to a Live Studio Audience in LA
Step 1: Sign up for On-Camera Audiences:
One of the easiest ways to snag tickets to a live studio audience in Los Angeles is by signing up with On Camera Audiences (OCA), a company based in Burbank, CA. Many major production companies hire OCA to handle audience logistics for their shows. We joined their mailing list a few years ago to score tickets to our favorite shows, but it can take some time to find a taping that aligns with your schedule and interests. Stay patient and keep checking your email for updates!
Step 2: Register for the shows you want to attend:
On Camera Audiences has a wide variety of TV shows you can register to be on the mailing list for. On their website, you can view all available shows. Once you find a show you are interested in, you can sign up for that show's mailing list. You will be notified via email when they are filming and when tickets are available.
On Camera Audiences allows you to sign up to receive emails for specific show tapings and will send you an email when they start filming and have tickets available. All you need to do is request tickets through the emailed link, pick a time and date that works for you, and then you should receive another email with your ticket confirmation! Super easy, and convenient!
If you don’t care what show you are a part of and just want to be part of a live studio audience on your vacation to LA, the On Camera Audience website has a list of shows that are currently taping on their homepage, making it easy to find one that fits your needs!
Here are some of the most well-known:
America's Funniest Home Videos
America's Got Talent
American Idol
American Ninja Warrior
Big Brother
Celebrity Family Feud
Dancing with the Stars
Family Feud
MasterChef
Penn & Teller: Fool Us
So, You Think You Can Dance?
The Masked Singer
The Price is Right
Wheel of Fortune
Whose Line Is It Anyway
And so many more!
Step 3: Get your tickets from:
Once you’ve joined the show’s mailing list and tickets become available, you’ll receive an email with a "Submit Info" button. Clicking this will prompt you to fill in essential details like the number of guests, your preferred taping date, and any additional requested information.
After submitting, you’ll receive a follow-up confirmation email with the tickets and instructions. These emails often include a QR code or digital ticket, which you’ll need to show at check-in, so keep it handy on your phone.
It is easy to download the tickets and keep them with you for the day of the show. Be sure to double-check the date and time; popular shows can fill up quickly, and some tickets first first-come, first-served even after you’re confirmed.
Step 4: Location, date, and taping rules
Your ticket confirmation email will provide all the key details for your visit, including the venue location, taping date and time, and important rules and expectations. This email serves as your go-to guide for preparing for the taping experience. For our taping, the dress code was business casual, with black and neutral colors recommended. Avoid bright colors, stripes, shorts, and flip flops. However, don’t stress if your outfit isn’t perfect, while most people followed the guidelines, we noticed a few exceptions were allowed. You’re typically not allowed to eat or drink inside the taping venue, but small snacks and water bottles can be brought inside (in a purse/bag) and consumed in the lobby during breaks.
Insider Tip: If you’re unsure what to wear, aim for an all-black outfit. This is a safe and acceptable choice that works for nearly every taping!
Our Experience at America’s Got Talent Live Taping:
Growing up, both Elijah and I were huge fans of America’s Got Talent, from mystifying magic acts to world-class singers, AGT has been a cultural phenomenon we always followed. So, when we had the chance to attend a live taping, we jumped at it! The email inviting us to the taping came through about two weeks before the date, giving us enough time to plan a quick road trip down to LA.
Where America’s Got Talent is Filmed:
The live taping of America’s Got Talent took place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, which is connected to the Hotel Dena. If you’re looking for a super convenient stay, booking a room at the Hotel Dena is a great option. Otherwise, there are multiple nearby parking garages, with prices ranging from $12 to $20 for all-day parking. Note that parking is not validated, so you’ll need to cover the cost yourself.
Exploring the Area Around the Venue
The area surrounding the Pasadena Civic Auditorium was relatively quiet, filled with small shops, restaurants, and office buildings. Before the taping, we grabbed a bite at an amazing Venezuelan café, Amara Café. They served the richest hot chocolate and a fantastic breakfast arepa, definitely worth a stop!
For a quick caffeine boost, there’s also a Starbucks located directly next to the venue, perfect for grabbing a drink before heading into the taping.
Finding The Venue
Finding the venue was a breeze thanks to the enormous America’s Got Talent signs and cardboard cutouts of the judges lining the outside of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. If that didn’t give it away, the large crowds forming outside the building certainly did! There were two lines set up on opposite sides of the theatre: one for fundraiser groups and one for everyone else. The staff was super helpful and friendly, quickly pointing us to the correct line.
Arrival and Ticketing
Our arrival time was 1:00 PM, but we lined up around 12:30 PM. Shortly after we joined the line, staff began handing out physical tickets for the show. We showed our email confirmations with the digital ticket and were given paper tickets in exchange. By 12:45 PM, we had our tickets in hand and moved to another line to wait for security.
A helpful tip: Once you’ve received your physical ticket, you’re free to leave and come back once the doors open. We decided to stay since it was already close to 1:00 PM and joined the security line.
Security and Waiting for Doors to Open:
The security process opened soon after and was surprisingly quick. By 1:00 PM, we were standing just outside the theatre doors, excited to get inside and snap photos with the mock judges' table we saw in the emails.
However, everyone else had the same idea. Hundreds of people were crowded together on the theatre steps, eagerly waiting for the doors to open. Time ticked by, 20 minutes, 45 minutes, an hour. By 2:30 PM, we were still waiting with little to no updates. There were no bathrooms outside, and staff wouldn’t open the doors for restroom access. Finally, after standing in line for an hour and a half, the doors opened and the crowd surged inside.
Finally, Inside the Venue:
Once inside, we were met with an overwhelming sight, the bathroom line was at least 50 people deep for both the men’s and women’s restrooms. To make matters worse, the mock judges' table photo-op was blocked off, with the bathroom line snaking right past it! After waiting over an hour past the scheduled start time, we were left with just about five minutes in the lobby to dash to the bathroom or grab a quick photo. Staff were frantically trying to move everyone along, urging guests to head to their seats, even as the bathroom line remained! It felt rushed and chaotic, and we barely had time to catch our breath before being ushered into the auditorium.
The Pre-Show Hype
We found our seats with about a minute to spare before the show’s pre-hype dance party began. Picture a high-energy host, much like a school orientation leader, trying to get everyone dancing at 7:00 AM. At first, the crowd was hesitant until the host revealed there were prizes for participation, including cash and a dinner gift card!
Was it our vibe? Not really. But once tempted with free cash, we got into the spirit and joined in. The atmosphere was energetic and fun, especially for families. If you have younger kids (eight and up are allowed), this pre-show dance party could be a hit. It felt reminiscent of a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse sing-along but with a live TV twist!
Rules and the Taping Itself: Behind the Scenes of a Live Show
Before the taping began, we were given a quick rundown of the rules:
No standing up during filming.
No eating or drinking inside the theater.
Avoid looking directly at the cameras (oops!).
Follow the lead of the AGT cheermeister for when and how to cheer.
The cheermeister kept the energy high, encouraging the crowd to clap, cheer, and get involved, sometimes even offering cash or gift card prizes to those who were especially enthusiastic or seated nearby.
Our Taping Experience: Fun, but a Little Disillusioning
Without going into too much detail (we’re not sure what we can legally disclose), we watched about three to four acts over nearly two hours. It was fun and exciting at first, but we couldn’t help feeling a bit disheartened as the taping went on.
Being part of a lively crowd, seeing people chase their dreams, and enjoying the anticipation of each act was invigorating. But at the same time, witnessing the behind-the-scenes processes, long pauses, crowd prompts, and heavily staged moments diminished some of the “movie magic” that made us love the show in the first place.
A Word of Caution: Save the Surprise!
If you’re a super-fan of a particular show, you might want to think twice before attending a live taping. Seeing the mechanics behind the scenes might just take away some of the excitement and wonder. At the end of the taping, the staff mentioned that we were welcome to return for the evening session by lining up in the same spot and showing the same email confirmation. This option might vary depending on the show or taping day, but it was a nice surprise on ours.
A Personal Note About the Taping
Disclaimer: The following impressions are based on our personal experience and observations during the live taping. They do not represent the official practices or policies of America’s Got Talent or the production team.
We noticed a few things during our visit:
Waiting times were longer than expected, and it felt a bit disorganized at times.
Some of the performances felt over-rehearsed or heavily staged, with a cheermeister encouraging extra audience enthusiasm.
Certain acts had to redo performances, possibly because the producers weren’t satisfied with the crowd energy.
The show felt less “live” and more controlled than we anticipated, which was surprising as fans of the show.
The judges’ interactions also seemed quite scripted, although that’s probably part of maintaining the show’s flow.
Other Companies That Offer Studio Show Tickets
While On Camera Audiences offers the largest variety of shows and studio tapings, two other companies also provide opportunities to be part of a live audience: OSLA Productions and 1iota.
OSLA Productions
OSLA Productions focuses primarily on award shows and special events, such as:
Kid’s Choice Awards
American Music Awards
ESPY Awards
Golden Globes
Critics' Choice Awards
Plus, events like Shark Week
It’s more challenging to secure tickets for these events than with On Camera Audiences. You’ll need to create a profile, go through a selection process, and be picked by casting directors. Some events offer just one ticket per person, while others allow up to two.
Note: We haven’t attended a taping with OSLA yet, but it’s on our radar!
1iota:
1iota operates similarly to On Camera Audiences:
Create an account and request tickets to available shows.
They offer access to movie premieres, daytime TV shows, and late-night programs such as:
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
1iota provides options in both Los Angeles and New York, so be sure to check locations when booking!
Note: We haven’t attended a taping or event with 1iota yet, but we plan to in the future!
FAQs About Attending a Live Studio Audience in LA
Q: How do I get free tickets to a live studio audience in LA?
A: Sign up with On Camera Audiences, 1iota, or OSLA Productions. These companies manage live audience logistics and offer free tickets to many popular shows. Create an account, join mailing lists, and request tickets for the tapings that interest you.
Q: Are TV show tapings in Los Angeles really free?
A: Yes! Most tapings are completely free. Some shows are first-come, first-served, even if you're confirmed, so arrive early to guarantee entry.
Q: What should I wear to a live taping?
A: Business casual is usually recommended. Wear dark or neutral colors and avoid logos, stripes, shorts, or sandals unless told otherwise in your ticket email. All-black is always a safe bet.
Q: Where is America’s Got Talent filmed?
A: AGT tapings often take place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, connected to Hotel Dena. It’s a great area to explore before or after the show.
Q: Can I attend multiple tapings in one day?
A: Sometimes, yes. On certain days, shows may offer both a daytime and evening taping. At our AGT taping, we were invited to stay for the evening session using the same ticket confirmation.
Q: Are there other websites that offer tickets to live shows?
A: Yes. In addition to On Camera Audiences, check out OSLA Productions (for award shows and specials) and 1iota (for daytime and late-night tapings). Availability and requirements vary by show.
Summary:
Would we go again? Yes, nothing screams a trip to LA quite like being able to say you were on TV! We would definitely come again with friends and family from out of town/state! It’s such a unique experience to see the behind-the-scenes of a large production, and to also be able to say you were a part of it. Plus, you can't beat the price; there are not too many free shows you can go to in LA! We want to check out some other live tapings and have signed up for a bunch of email lists with On Camera Audiences. What show do you want to see a taping of? Let us know below!
Look for us on season 20 of America's Got Talent! We are sitting somewhere behind Simon!!
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