City Guide Filming in Memphis, TN
Production Permit Fees
- Permit Fees - Unknown
Minimum Insurance
- Cast & Crew of 1 to10 people - $150 per day
- Cast & Crew of 11 to 30 people - $250 per day
- Cast & Crew of 31 to 49 people - $500 per day
- Cast & Crew over 49 people - $750 per day
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Memphis
While the city of Memphis in Tennessee may be eternally linked with music and legendary singers such as Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, as well as to the untimely demise of Martin Luther King Jr, it also has a long-standing connection with the film industry.
The city's location on the Mississippi River about 200 miles southwest of Nashville, its antebellum mansions, its Blues bars and clubs, its port area, and its unusually distinct neighborhoods have made Memphis a popular filming location for all kinds of movies.
Go back in time to the 1990s and the release of the movie, The Firm, and you'll discover Memphis played almost as major a role in the film as Tom Cruise, Gene Hackman, and Holly Hunter did. While the film may have been nominated for a couple of Oscars, Memphis wasn't, but probably should have been.
There was only really one filming location that could have been used in the biographical movie, Walk The Line about Johnny Cash's early life, and that was Memphis. The Memphis filming locations used in the movie were the Orpheum Theater on South Main Street and the Pipkin Building on Early Maxwell Boulevard.
Memphis may be known as the birthplace of the Blues, but it's not the only music genre that exists there. With a storyline about a Memphis pimp turned rapper written by a Memphis writer-director and featuring local rap artists, the 2005 movie Hustle and Flow was all Memphis but with a modern musical twist.
Hustle and Flow isn't the only music-oriented movie filmed in Memphis. Apart from Walk The Line, Great Balls of Fire, the 1989 released movie about music legend Jerry Lee Lewis, was also filmed mostly in Memphis.
There have been many more movies and quite a few TV shows than the ones mentioned here. The list could go on forever, but this article can't. If you're itching to discover more about filming locations in Memphis, take a look on Giggster. Once you've browsed through what's available, you'll need to read up on the filming regulations in Memphis and the state of Tennessee before you head there and start filming.
Fortunately, filming in Memphis isn't too complicated or swamped with too much red tape, so it won't take you long to get in the know, and then you'll be ready to go. Hopefully, you have a great script to work from, and yours will be the next Oscar-nominated movie made in Memphis.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Memphis?
Each production that wants to film in Memphis is treated on a case-by-case. Not all filming requires permitting, but you're more likely to need a Memphis film permit if:
You'll need to have roads or sidewalks closed
You want to film on city or county property
You want to film on a MATA bus or trolley
There are child actors in the cast
Your film shoot involves pyrotechnics or other special effects
You want to film on Beale Street
You want to film with a drone
You've chosen a filming location on National Park Services property
You've chosen a filming location in a Tennessee State Park
Permissions and film permits in Memphis are granted by a variety of different authorities. The time each authority takes to process your application varies greatly. Apply early, and it'll be a lot simpler. Leave it to the last minute, and you may not get a film permit for the dates you want.
Permit Management in Memphis
TEC, MSCFC & Various
The Memphis and Shelby County Film and TV Commission is a sub-branch of the Tennessee Entertainment Commission. Neither the MSCFC nor the TEC issue blanket permits for filming in Memphis. That said, though, as a first step towards getting the permits you will need, you will need to register your production with the Memphis Film Commission.
Registering your production is a simple online process that involves completing a questionnaire about your project. You will be expected to supply the following details about your production:
The title of the production
Whether the production is a feature, TV episode, or documentary
The name of the production company
If the project is for a major network
The name, address, and number of a company contact
The location of the proposed shoot
The proposed start and end dates of filming
An estimate of how many local people you will hire
An estimate of how much of the production budget will be spent in the state
Once the film commission has received and assessed your registration submission, they will get in touch to let you know what permits you need to obtain before you can begin filming. Getting the relevant film permits you may need from the city, police, transport, parks, or fire departments can take up to ten days. The film commission will act as a liaison between your production company and the relevant permitting authorities, but they're not miracle workers, so don't leave it to the last minute to get in touch with them.
NB: If you've chosen a filming location on National Parks Service property, the permitting process can take anywhere from 10 to 45 days. If you've chosen a filming location on National Forest Service property, the permitting process can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days. The MSCFC will assist you in obtaining a permit for filming in Tennessee State Parks but give no indication of how long that may take.
What Insurance Do I Need in Memphis?
Any production company hoping to film in Memphis or elsewhere in the state of Tennessee is obliged to be in possession of valid liability insurance coverage.
The Tennessee Entertainment Commission does not state any minimum requirements for insurance coverage, but having workers' compensation is compulsory. To ensure you contract the correct coverage for your production, it's a good idea to consult with the MSCFC before purchasing any insurance.
The best coverage to have includes all of the following:
General Liability - $1 million is a good benchmark here
Workers’ Compensation - in accordance with the state minimum
Equipment Insurance
Property Damage Coverage
Drone Liability Insurance – if relevant
Automobile Insurance
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 Memphis?
Start scouting for filming locations in Memphis, and you won't know which way to turn. There are literally so many. Some of the filming locations in Memphis, like the Peabody Hotel and Beale Street, will already be familiar as they've made regular movie appearances over the years, but there are plenty of others that are just as exciting.
For an impressive external shoot location with sweeping views of the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge, Tom Lee Park is hard to beat. The park lines the side of the Mississippi River where it flows past Downtown, and has broad trails ideal for any active jogging scene. Mud Island Park is great, too, and is where you'll be able to catch some b-roll of the iconic Memphis sign as well as some fantastic shots of the Memphis skyline from the Mississippi Riverwalk.
There are numerous neighborhoods in Memphis, and they all have distinct characteristics. There are residential areas like the Speedway Terrace Historic District in Downtown Memphis where you'll come across unusual examples of shotgun houses and other houses with features from the Colonial Revival era.
Head to the Victorian Village area of Downtown, and you'll come across Gothic mansions dating from the late 1800s that would give any movie scene an extra level of creepy, Adams family-style spookiness.
In sharp contrast to the Gothicness of the buildings in the Victorian Village, those in the Harbor Town area are luxurious, chin-dropping modern mansions that could easily serve as a presidential residence. There's a yacht marina in Harbor Town, too, so if you need to film some boating scenes, this part of Memphis is worth checking out.
Take a wander down Main Street in Memphis, and you'll soon realize that this broad, tree-lined avenue with its working trolleys has a personality all of its own. With the right signage in place, this street could be transformed to give it the appearance of any time from the 1920s to the 1950s.
The availability of internal shoot locations in Memphis is as varied and endless as the external ones. In this Tennessee city, there are amazing venues - everything from event spaces to stores to speakeasy-style bars. There are Blues clubs that welcome film crews, cafes, all manner of restaurants, and breweries too.
If you need a hotel, you'll have a choice of several, plus a pawn shop, radio station, an old-fashioned bank, and even a cemetery where you can film if that's what you need. The one thing Memphis is not short of is diverse filming locations, so seek, and you will find no matter what sort of weird and wonderful location you're looking for.
Special Requirements in Memphis
Filming With Pyrotechnics
Any production company planning to use pyrotechnics during their film shoot will need to obtain the relevant permit prior to doing so. Permits for the use of pyrotechnics in Memphis are issued by the Memphis Fire Department. They may also require you to have a standby firefighter on set. If so, the production company will be charged a fee decided by the fire department for the service.
Pyrotechnic permit - $25
Filming With Minors
There are strict laws in the state of Tennessee relating to the employment of minors in entertainment or media-related businesses. Any production company planning to film with minors must be aware of the relevant laws and restrictions applicable to filming with child actors. The Tennessee Entertainment Commission advises all production companies planning to film with children to consult with legal counsel specializing in the subject before starting filming.
Filming With Animals
Before you can film with any type of domesticated animal, then you will need to contact the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. They may require you to have a special permit if you are bringing the animals to Memphis from outside of the state. They may also want to organize an inspection of the set, working conditions, and off-set areas where the animal will be kept before filming commences.
Filming On National Parks Property
It is now a federal law that you must obtain a film permit before filming anything for commercial purposes on National Parks Services terrains or properties. The first step you'll need to take is to submit an application to the management of the park you hope to film in. They may request a pre-production meeting to discuss your project in detail in order to help decide what fees you will be charged for the use of the location.
To film on NPS property, you can expect to pay anywhere in the region of:
NPS Basic Location Fees
Cast & Crew of 1 to10 people - $150 per day
Cast & Crew of 11 to 30 people - $250 per day
Cast & Crew of 31 to 49 people - $500 per day
Cast & Crew over 49 people - $750 per day
The NPS film permit non-refundable application fee is $90, which should be submitted with the application.
What Does it Cost to Film in Memphis?
Fees you may incur for permits and permissions to film in Memphis will be decided by the city authority that issues or grants the permits or permission. Each production is assessed on an individual basis. There is no blanket permit. If your production is a large one, you may want to look into the incentives offered by the state of Tennessee that are applicable if you're going to be filming in Memphis. You may find that if your production company spends over $200,000 on Qualified Tennessee Expenditures during the filming of your project, then you will be eligible for a 25 percent rebate. If you are going to be in Memphis filming for a month or more, then you may also be eligible for rebates on the hotel occupancy tax. NB: The MSCFC will be able to provide you with more in-depth details of what incentives are applicable to your production.
Additional Fees
There are no location fees for any City or County-owned locations, making Memphis a budget-friendly destination for filmmakers. However, if your production requires the services of city personnel or equipment, you may need to pay separately, depending on the duration and nature of your production project. If a permit is needed to film in Memphis, your paperwork must be in the film/TV commission office at least ten days ahead.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Memphis?
Memphis is a city that occupies an area of over 300 square miles in Shelby County in the state of Tennessee. Almost eight square miles of the city's total terrain is covered by water. Memphis ranks 28th in the list of the US's most populous cities and is home to well over 600,000 people.
Memphis's western boundary is entirely defined by the Mississippi River, which separates it from the neighboring state of Arkansas. The city's extreme northern boundary is defined by the meandering Loosahatchie River. The southern boundary is less clearly defined as parts of the city spread across the state line and into neighboring Mississippi.
To the north of Memphis are the cities of Northaven, Woodstock, Brunswick, and Lakeland. To the northeast is Fisherville and to the east is Germantown. To the south are the Mississippi cities of Southaven and Lakeview.
If you find your chosen filming location falls outside of the jurisdiction of Memphis and is in the state of Mississippi, then you should contact the Mississippi Film Office about permitting regulations. If your chosen filming location crosses over the border and into the state of Arkansas, then you should contact the Arkansas Film Commission with regards to obtaining the correct film permits.
Outreach in Memphis
Neither the TEC nor its sub-branch, the MSCFC, publish any guidelines concerning production companies conducting outreach in Memphis. Conducting outreach should be a serious consideration, though, no matter what size of production you'll be filming, because Memphis is a heavily populated city. Any filming activity will inevitably cause disturbance in the communities near your filming locations.
You should consider distributing a simple notification letter stating:
The name of the production company
Contact details
The exact location you'll be filming at
The dates and times you'll be filming
Details about proposed street or sidewalk closures
Details of the use of pyrotechnics or fake weapons
Details of any parking restrictions that may occur
It's common practice to distribute the notification letters to the residents and businesses within a 500-foot radius of the filming location at least 48 hours prior to the proposed filming date.
The notification may raise questions or even objections to your activities, so you should be prepared to deal with those. If you're not, then you will need to employ a community manager to do it for you.
Community Management in Memphis
Memphis is not only a heavily populated city but one that attracts its fair share of tourists. If you're going to be filming somewhere like Beale Street or in any other of the more well-known areas of the city, you'll need someone handy to deal with the accumulation of curious onlookers who have nothing better to do with their time than get in the way of your filming.
A good community manager, as well as being able to handle any objections raised by local residents, will turn what would be a disruption to filming into a public relations event. Let's face it, the more people that know about your production, the better, and if they're from other states, then you'll get even more widespread publicity.
If you've got a known actor on your cast, then that's the time to get them to autograph a few photos for your community manager to hand out. It's a great sweetener and will make the life of your community manager a whole lot easier.
Conclusion
There's no denying that Memphis is a fantastic city crammed with great filming locations. No matter what sort of filming location you're searching for, this Tennessee city has it, and in multiple variations. You don't need to be working from a script that's about music or politics; Memphis filming locations suit every genre of movie existing, so don't doubt about checking it out. When you do, you'll be more impressed than you can imagine.