"Shining On" writer/co-producer/director Jason Fenton and co-producer John Gonzales were childhood friends in Carpinteria, California. Both men met co-producer/cinematographer Slava Siderman on the set of the feature film "Demoness" in 1993 (John produced, Slava was a dolly grip, Jason was an ensemble cast member).
"Shining On" was filmed on location in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, California. Many of the locations featured in the film - The Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Mission Santa Barbara, and Stearn's Wharf - are historic landmarks familiar to the filmmakers during their childhood.