"tourist trap" was filmed in 24 days in los angeles county, california, with additional interiors shot at rampart sound studios in los angeles. principal photography began on march 27, 1978. a portion of the interior scenes were shot at an abandoned house located at 5255 hollywood boulevard which was scheduled for demolition. schmoeller made arrangements with the contractor to postpone the demolition of the building for five days, during which time the crew shot footage. by using the abandoned location, the production saved an estimated $30,000 in set construction and soundstage fees. david wyler, the son of william wyler, served a second assistant director, while the director of photography was nicholas von sternberg, son of josef von sternberg.