About Austin
Austin is filled with several interesting aspects and picture-perfect sceneries that make it an ideal backdrop for various occasions. The purplish light that's visible over the city's hills during the winter earned it the nickname "Violet Crown City."
Austin has an iconic music scene and is considered the world's live music capital. After all, it's home to an estimated 2,000 performing artists and bands as well as 200 live music venues. It's easy to see why the city has served as the set for various film productions. That includes Miss Congeniality, Spy Kids, Dazed and Confused, and Kill Bill: Volume 1 to name just a few. The longest-running televised live music show aired from Austin in October 1974 with Willie Nelson being the featured performer.
You could be well on your way to producing the next big flick by securing a film shoot location in Austin.
Film Shoot Location Options in Austin
You could be planning a Hollywood-scale production or dipping your feet in the water by working on your first film project. In either case, you'll need to collaborate with a team of professionals to organize a successful film shoot in Austin.
- Film Equipment Rentals
Camera, sound, and lighting equipment are not cheap. That's why most film projects choose to hire filming equipment to significantly slash the production costs. You'll find lists of film equipment rental companies in Austin that can supply what you need.
- Venues
Austin is a picturesque city with acres of gorgeous outdoor spaces as well as picture-perfect indoor venues. You won't have trouble locking down film shoot locations in Austin ranging from green screen spaces to unique sets.
- Catering
Whether your film shoot is scheduled to take place over just a couple of hours or run for several days; your crew will need to recharge. Your meals are sorted with a catering company in Austin handling the menu.
- Transportation
Chances are that you'll be working with multiple film shoot locations in Austin for your project. You'll need to secure the services of a car hire company in Austin to get you and your team from point A to B on time.
- Editor
Once the production portion is done, you should enlist the services of a professional editor in Austin to work their magic. They know how to cohesively splice the recorded footage to come up with an end product that serves the intended purpose.
Film Shoot Location Companies in Austin
Film productions, regardless of the scale, require multiple people to bring the vision to life. From camera operators, directors, to equipment rental companies; you'll find professionals in Austin who are ready to work on your film shoot.
- Austin Movie Gear
Established in 2013, Austin Movie Gear is dedicated to helping filmmakers access filming equipment at low prices. They have catalogs of camera equipment and accessories, lighting equipment, audio, and grip equipment for rent.
- Mattei Visuals
Mario Mattei is the brains behind Mattei Visuals. He is an award-winning director and cinematographer who specializes in producing creative video content, original films, commercials, and music videos.
- Carve Editorial
Carve Editorial is a post-production studio that provides video editing services. They specialize in editing commercials, social media content, short and feature-length film productions.
Pros and Cons of Film Shoot Locations in Austin
The Live Music Capital is also known for its thriving arts scene making it a suitable place to work on a film project. Still, there are pros and cons related to planning a film shoot in Austin that you should know about ahead of time.
Advantages
- The cultural scene
The city's culture is significantly influenced by the arts and music scene. The live music events draw in folks from all across the globe, and you'll also find plenty of inspiration around the city to enrich your film project.
- No income tax
There are potential tax exemptions that you can access when working on film production in Austin. Residents are also not subject to income tax and most businesses will be happy to offer discounts where applicable.
- Gas is cheap
While you do need a vehicle to haul your film equipment around Austin, you are likely to find an affordable car hire service. Gas is affordable in the city which is another reason that encourages most locals to drive.
- A hub for investments
Whether this is the first film project for your production company or you've worked on several; you'll benefit from the city's favorable economic landscape. It's the reason why lists of companies including Whole Foods have their roots in Austin.
- The technology
If you are hoping to work on a tech-heavy production then Austin is the right place for your project. The city ranks high on the list of metropolitan areas that have extensive opportunities in the tech sector.
Disadvantages
- Traffic
With just about everyone driving in the city, it's natural that Austin has a major traffic issue. Schedule your crew's call schedule with rush hour traffic in mind.
- You need a car to get around
Austin isn't easy to navigate without a car and your film crew will appreciate it if you handle the transport arrangements.
- It's easy to overspend in Austin
You can easily shoot your filming budget in Austin if you splurge on food and other luxuries the city has to offer. There are still plenty of budget options all around the city.
- Austin is a liberal city
While conservative pockets exist in the city, Austin leans more towards a liberal stance. It's something worth knowing if you are working on a film project with underlying political themes.
- You'll need A/C
Working with filming equipment, particularly lights, can make the conditions in your chosen location even more uncomfortable. Prioritize air conditioning on your search for film shoot locations in Austin.
Famous Locations in Austin
- McKinney Falls State Park
This outdoor attraction provides the perfect getaway within city limits. There are 80 campsites within the McKinney Falls State Park with electric hookups and water. It's also where you'll find the Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail.
- Mexic-Arte Museum
The Mexic-Arte Museum showcases Latin American, Mexican, and Latino culture and art. The thought-provoking exhibits explore current issues relating to acceptance, immigration, and border control.
- Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum
History buffs enjoy taking a walk down memory lane by going through the 45-million-plus pages and historical documents from Lyndon Baines Johnson's time in office. There are also exhibits that document LBJ's lengthy tenure as president.
