City Guide Filming in Bend, OR
Production Permit Fees
- Permit Fee: $95 to $798.82 per day
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability: $1 million
- Workers’ Compensation: As per state requirements
- Automobile Liability: $1 million for “owned,” “non-owned,” or “hired”
- Aviation Insurance Coverage: $5 million
- UAS/Drone Insurance: $2 million
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Bend
As the county seat of Deschutes County in Oregon, Bend is not merely just another urban center in the state but one with an impressive history. Bend is the largest city, population-wise, in Central Oregon, and overall, it is the fifth biggest city in the state. You’ll find this gem of a city about three and a half hours southeast of Portland. Geographically, it is located in a historic river crossing area, hugging the Deschutes River and resting on the Cascade Range's eastern edge – placed at the transitional zone between the high desert and the Ponderosa pine forest. The nearby landscape is dominated by bitterbrushes, junipers, sagebrushes, and arid vasts.
As a city, the bend was first incorporated at the dawn of the 20th century, and back then, it was best characterized as a logging town, but this identity diversified soon enough. Fast forwarding to today, the city is one of the most iconic destinations for thrill seekers as it is often seen as a gateway to recreational and adrenaline-inducing outdoor activities. Popular pastimes here include hiking, rafting, skiing, biking on rugged mountainous terrain, fishing, paragliding, and camping.
Plus, if you're a film fan, then the city should be important to you for two reasons: firstly, it officially houses the last Blockbuster store (video rental service) in the USA since 2019, and secondly: it has been featured in numerous Hollywood projects itself. Prominent examples of big-screen projects showing the best of the city and surrounding areas are Wild, The Lone Ranger, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, The Postman, The Wait, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, The Last Blockbuster, and A Stone in the Water.
Well, there you have it – all there is to love about Bend, the city, the historic landmark, and the cinematographic haven. If you're planning to work on your next filming project here, then you should take a brief look at the filming guidelines in Bend to understand how things work here so that you don't face much trouble when you're in town.
Also, don’t fret about finding the best locations to film in Bend and elsewhere, as Giggster has all the best listings for the area for you to book with only a click or tap!
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Bend?
Yes, when filming in public, all film production crews, including non-commercial filmmakers and students working on their film projects, must get permits first. Not to worry though, getting permits is very simple, and the other filming guidelines in Bend are also very easy to follow.
In some cases, public filming may be exempt from this requirement, such as filming via camera phones for Instagram reels or making solo vlogs, but even in such cases, there may be cases where getting a permit may be necessary, like when you’re filming in certain neighborhoods. It is best to reach out to the Central Oregon Film Office in this regard for guidance. You’ll also have to reach out to the city for extra permissions and permits under special circumstances, such as:
Pyrotechnics Permit – this permit is issued by the local fire department after careful review and safety assessment of a film production’s request to use fire-based special effects, explosions, gunfire, and so on.
Animal Control Permit – this permit is issued by the local animal control department if you’re planning to involve animals (that can cause damage to others) in the project.
Aircraft Usage Permit – this permit is issued by the local aviation authority for film productions that are planning to use helicopters or airplanes in their filming efforts.
Drone Filming Permit – this permit is also issued by the regional aviation authority to film productions proposing to use camera drones in the filming efforts.
Student/Non-Commercial Filming Permit – all students and non-profit filming crews can secure discounts and waivers on fees associated with filming permits after complete verification.
Permit Management in Bend
Central Oregon Film Office
The film permits in Bend are issued by the city government, but your focal point should be the Central Oregon Film Office, which is a subsidiary of the state-level Oregon Film and has an endorsement from Bend's city government as well. Headquartered in Bend, the Central Oregon Film Office offers complete cooperation and a one-stop solution for all film production needs not only in the city but also in neighboring areas, eastwards from the Cascade Mountain Ranges.
The office bit doesn’t only help with permit acquisition but also assists productions in hiring local talent for their project, managing technical aspects of the production efforts, and scouting for the best filming locations in the city. Just as is the case with Oregon Film, the Central Oregon Film Office also liaises with all city, county, and state-level departments and agencies to earn their cooperation for the project, as and when needed.
You can contact the Central Oregon Film Office directly for your permit needs – they'll give you the application form. Simply fill in all the details, attach all the insurance documents and other documentation required, and then submit it to the office. They'll take care of the application process from there. Be sure to send in the application at least five business days before your scheduled shoot.
Rest assured, you won't hit many roadblocks as the state of Oregon, in general, and the city of Bend, in particular, have a pro-filming policy, which means that all the local and state-level departments will actively engage you to help you make the best out of your endeavors here. Plus, the state also offers assistance in the form of 16% cash-back personnel rebates, 20% incentive packages, and other financial perks to ease the burden on filmmakers operating here.
What Insurance Do I Need in Bend?
All film productions must get insurance coverage before they can be allowed to film in public or apply for a film permit. Production insurance is a safeguard against worst-case scenarios. If an accident does happen and one of your crew members or a third party is injured or sustains property damage, you'll be responsible for compensating them for their losses. This also applies to you – the insurance will cover all medical expenses and other associated losses.
But this raises another question: how much insurance is enough insurance? We've already explained that the goal here is to compensate any accident victim in the worst-case scenario, so what can be the worst-case scenario with your project? The higher the risk of things going bad, the more you'll be required to arrange insurance coverage – in other words, there are no fixed production insurance requirements in Bend. However, you can get some perspective by taking a look at the baseline numbers below:
$1 million coverage for commercial general liability
Workers’ compensation coverage for the entire crew and associated workers/employees
$1 million (per accident) coverage for automobile liability, given that you plan to use automobiles
$1 million coverage for watercraft liability, given that you plan on using watercraft, boats, etc.
$5 million coverage for aviation liability, given that you plan to use helicopters or aircraft
$2 million coverage for drone liability, given that you plan on using UAS/camera drones
When submitting your insurance documentation, be sure to ask for a sample insurance form and letter of endorsement in favor of the city of Bend, its employees, its representatives, and its officials. You’ll have to endorse them all as additionally insured, so be sure you get the wording right. Also, note that the insurance requirements in your case can be higher if the level of risk associated is also higher.
If you can’t meet any of these requirements, you’ll need to explain in writing why you can’t meet the requirement to the Office. They will determine if the shoot can go ahead without the necessary insurance.
Note that these requirements are minimum requirements. Larger and more complex shoots may require additional insurance which will be determined by the Office.
What Kind of Filming Locations Are Available in Bend?
Let’s take a pause from our discussion on the filming laws in Bend and browse through some of the filming destinations available in and near the city to help you see why all of this is worth it. Bend offers breathtaking and stunning displays of natural elements and is also blessed with a robust infrastructure network. You can virtually find all sorts of themed, non-themed, indoor, or outdoor venues here.
At the top of our list is the New Bend Modern Chalet Nestled on a Wooded Lot, which sits in a secluded area embraced by nature. If you're looking for a premium interior, minimum disturbance, and perhaps something that fits the atmosphere of a thriller, then you can't go wrong with this venue. Located no more than 15 minutes from Mt Bachelor and two minutes from the Deschutes River, the venue is surrounded by mountains and trees. This ranch-style property has ample parking space, enough for ten cars, a marble bathroom, vaulted ceiling, French doors, front and back yards, a BBQ grill, a sizeable garage, complete air conditioning, a dedicated makeup area, and WiFi connectivity. Smoking, alcohol, excessive noise, and adult filming are not allowed, but other than that, you’ve got literally all you can ask for under one roof!
Other filming venues in the area include purpose-built recording and film studios, such as the Corner Cyclorama Wall Studio and Video Production & Photo Studio. Both of these are equipped fully with the finest tech, offer an impressive contrast level, are perfectly lit, and can house decent-sized crews.
But if you’re looking for a more natural environment, then the Natural Light Creative Loft Studio would be more up your alley, especially with its impressive views of the city. Another similarly impressive open interior space is the Dazzling Dance Studio which comes with mirrors, floating wooden floors, and barres.
Other regular filming venues for rent, the city of Bend also houses numerous landmarks and properties that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, such as the Bend Amateur Athletic Club Gymnasium, Trinity Episcopal Church, Thomas McCann House, Downing Building, N. P. Smith Pioneer Hardware Store, and others.
You can find all sorts of indoor and outdoor venues in and near the city, and the vast variety of options is sure to impress you. Want to know what the best part is, though? You don’t have to wander the streets searching for the finest filming venues for rent; you can simply swipe and click to book whatever location works best for you with Giggster.
Special Requirements in Bend
Filming In Local School Districts
Local school districts include the Bend-La Pine School District and High Desert Education Service District, and as for individual locations, there is the Juniper Elementary School and Mountain View High School. You can get conditional permission to film in these and other similar premises, but for that, you must:
Contact the school administration and schedule a meeting with the board
Present your proposal, schedule, and details of anticipated activities to the board
Discuss the availability of the school premises (and try to schedule your activities accordingly)
Discuss the rent/fee for using the school premises
Get $1 million in general liability coverage plus workers’ compensation
Filming In Neighborhood Parks
Bend houses several recreational parks and green areas, such as the Pilot Butte Neighborhood Park, Alpenglow Park, Eagle Park, Juniper Park, and Canal Row Park, all managed by the local Parks and Recreation department. If you wish to access these parks for your filming activities, first be sure to ask the parks department if it is possible to gain exclusive access to the said park or a section of it. Otherwise, you may have to share the space with regular visitors. Also, the parks department may want to monitor your filming activities, so you'll have to hire a staff member by the hour for this.
Filming In Nearby State Parks
The Oregon State Parks Department manages the likes of Pilot Butte State Park, Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint, Tumalo State Park, Sawyer Park, and others. These all happen to be in the vicinity of Bend. You can incorporate the flora and fauna of these state parks, and many others like these in the state, in your film project, but you'll have to reach out to the state parks department and ask them to connect you with the concerned park's management staff.
You must agree to follow all park rules, pay all fees, hire a staff member to monitor the filming, and abstain from any activity that may disturb the vegetation and wildlife protected by the state park. You should also contact the Central Oregon Film Office to facilitate your crew here.
Filming With Camera Drones
Camera drones have become increasingly popular among filmmakers nowadays due to their superior maneuverability, compact nature, and ease of operation. However, when using camera drones in public, you must ensure that you respect other people’s sense of privacy and operate the drone safely. You must also get a permit to use the camera drone first (this may not be allowed in certain areas), and for that, you must arrange for $2 million in drone liability coverage.
Noise Regulations To Follow When Filming
Generally, excessive noise is discouraged, but you must reach out to the city government to know the exact measures for acceptable levels of noise in the area you’re operating in – these levels vary from area to area. The general rule of thumb is not to cause severe disturbance for the locals. Keep it low, as much as you can, and restrict the noisy activities (if you really have to do them) to the daylight hours.
What Does it Cost to Film in Bend?
When you apply for a Bend film permit, you’ll also have to pay certain fees for the privilege of being able to film in public here. As per the filming regulations in Bend, the city may also charge you extra fees for any collaborative efforts on the part of the local agencies and departments. The permit-associated fees are as follows: Motion picture permits cost $95 per day for crews of up to three For up to 10 people, the permit cost jumps to $199.44 per day For up to 30 people, the permit costs $332.40 per day For up to 60 people, the permit costs $665.86 per day For over 61 people, the permit costs $798.82 per day Still photography permits, likewise, cost between $95 and $332.40 per day Other than this, you’ll also have to pay for services (as per quote), such as: Hiring a police officer to be on the set Hiring a firefighter to be on the set On-set fire safety inspection Production monitoring Street closure Traffic control.
Additional Fees
Bend has varying weather conditions, so it's wise to budget for any potential weather-related delays or changes to the schedule.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Bend?
The total span of the city of Bend is 33.27 square miles, and this is the extent to which the filming laws in Bend are applicable. Cutting through the city’s concrete jungle is the meandering Deschutes River, ultimately pouring into the Mirror Pond. The city’s boundaries are well-marked, and you can get a reference of the geographic extent by taking a look at the neighboring settlements and landmarks: up north, the city is connected with Tumalo and Deschutes; to the east is the Oregon Badlands Wilderness; the southern boundary is shared with the Deschutes River Woods; Tetherow marks the western boundary.
Outreach in Bend
The Bend filming laws require you to notify the local community from the affected area/neighborhood at least two business days in advance about your upcoming filming activities. You must post letters detailing your contact information, the filming activities, street closure information, and insights into alternative routes at a minimum. Be sure to share the letter first with the Central Oregon Film Office first and make any edits they suggest before posting them.
Community Management in Bend
Bend is ranked as one of the most family-friendly and dog-friendly cities in Oregon! If you thought that putting forward simple and relaxed filming regulations in Bend was the only thing the city government was doing to bring film productions to town, think again. The local community is highly cooperative and welcoming, making the experience worthwhile. The only concerns that the locals may have will be that of privacy and noise (especially during the night); be sure to steer clear of the two, and you won’t face any hiccups here!
Conclusion
You’re probably impressed by how simple and relaxed the filming guidelines in Bend are, and this is all by design. The local government aims to bring in as many productions to town as possible by putting forward the best deals. Projects like Wild and The Lone Ranger have been vastly successful in the past, partly due to the conducive atmosphere produced by both the local government and the Central Oregon Film Office.
You can be part of something big associated with the city, and for that, you can expect complete support from not only the film office but also the local departments and agencies. The costs are nominal, but if you feel like they’re piling up, you can always apply for the numerous incentive programs available in the state.
We’ve already seen that the city boasts an impressive infrastructure, an assortment of premium filming destinations, and, most importantly, a generally positive and welcoming attitude toward filmmakers. Also, when you arrive, you don’t have to scout for locations manually. Instead, you can count on Giggster to list the best picks for you while you choose your venue from wherever you currently are.