City Guide Filming in Tucson, AZ
Production Permit Fees
- Film Tuscon Permit Fee: No-Fee Permits
- Arizona State-Owned Property Site Rental: Totally Waived
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability:
- Worker’s Compensation:
- Automobile Liability:
- Aviation Insurance Coverage:
- UAS/Drone Insurance:
- Product Liability Insurance:
- Liquor Liability Insurance:
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Tucson
Many people know Tuscon as the city hosting the University of Arizona, but it houses much more than that: an allure and aesthetic charm that only a few other cities can replicate. Featuring a dry, desert climate, the city sits as an oasis of civility in the heart of the wilderness of Arizona; famous nearby locales include the Tucson Mountain Park West, Sweetwater Wetlands Park, and Cienega Creek Natural Preserve, among many others. Tuscon is heavily populated and is ranked as the second largest city within its state; tall buildings and nicely built recording locations should not be hard to come by even if you don’t know your way around the city – they are literally everywhere. And the city is no stranger to the Hollywood splendor either; films like Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Revenge of the Nerds, Arena, Tombstone, Can't Buy Me Love, Away We Go, and Major League have been shot here.
You’ll first need to understand the filming guidelines in Tuscon to be able to film in the city without trouble. But rest assured, the city administration does its best to welcome filmmakers from all over and to facilitate them however possible. With a vast repertoire of filming locations, both indoors and outdoors, and fairly relaxed local filming laws, Tuscon is one of the most ideal places for your upcoming film project. Want to incorporate the warmth and aridness of the desert into your film screen? Look no further than Tuscon. Plus, you can browse through the myriad of options for filming locations in Tuscon at Giggster and take your pick from our extensive list!
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Tucson?
You need a filming permit issued by the relevant authorities, most prominently, Film Tuscon (for city-owned properties and private properties within the city's domain) and Go Film AZ (for state-owned properties). Don't fret though, not only will you get all the resources you need to fully acquaint yourself with the filming guidelines in Tuscon, but they will also connect you with the relevant authorities as and when needed, such as the fire department. Getting a permit is not that hard either; all you have to do is to reach out to the Film Tuscon staff and seek guidance for your specific case.
Generally, besides regular filming permits, you’ll need special permits for pyrotechnics and special effects (only given once you clear things with the Fire Department) or if you plan on featuring animals in the film. Filming on private properties also requires a permit from Film Tuscon, but on top of that, you also need permission from the property owner. In short, yes, you do need a film permit to shoot your project in Tuscon, but you don’t have to pay any permit fees since Film Tuscon offers permits free of cost. Plus, the acquisition process is not hard either.
Permit Management in Tucson
Film Tuscon
For filming on city-owned properties and private properties in the city, you’ll need a filming permit from Film Tuscon, the local permit issuing authority. The city administration has a pro-film production policy meaning that you can expect cooperation from the relevant authorities regarding your permit and other film-related matters. For instance, Film Tuscon offers help with scouting for film locations, and liaison with local police, fire, and right-of-way departments. You can find all the resources you need for filing for a film permit with Film Tuscon, and if you’re confused or unsure of what to do next, you can always reach out to them for specific information on Tuscon filming laws that apply specifically in your case.
And if you wish to film on state properties, you can reach out to Go Film AZ for specific details. One thing is for certain: you won’t have to cover site rentals if you're filming on state-owned property, such as a state park. The Reel Savings Incentive Program is especially worth your consideration as it offers several lucrative perks and rebates to registered film productions operating in Arizona. But for the most part, you’ll be dealing with Film Tuscon for your project within the jurisdiction of Tuscon. You may need additional permits for special cases, for instance, if you plan on using pyrotechnics and explosives, but overall, the process will be simple with only bare-bones requirements without any complications.
What Insurance Do I Need in Tucson?
Production insurance is a basic requirement for filming pretty much anywhere, let alone a metropolis like Tuscon. While we all hope accidents don’t happen, things can go bad sooner than you realize, leading to devastating damage on part of the film production crew or someone nearby. Accidents happen without warning, and the best thing you can do is to make sure that all precautions are set in place and be prepared for the worst to come.
Essentially, production insurance is a safeguard to compensate any affected parties if an accident/incident does occur; even if your script does not involve any inherently unsafe elements like pyrotechnics or risky stunts, you’ll still need to have some insurance coverage.
You’ll also be asked to provide a document clearly listing the city of Tuscon and its employees as additionally insured for the period of this shooting activity. The wording here can be very specific, so it’s best to reach out to Film Tuscon to see how best to phrase it. On top of all the insurance requirements mentioned above, not all of which are mandatory, you may also be asked to arrange for some other liability insurance coverage depending on the nature of your script.
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 Tucson?
Tuscon is a bustling metropolis with a ton of sophisticated and purpose-built filming and recording locations. On top of the many indoor locales for filming projects, the city also boasts several notable outdoor filming sites, each more impressive than the previous one. For the indoor options, the Modern Recording Studio in Tucson is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a purpose-built recording studio. Similarly, the Spacious Photography Studio in Downtown Tucson is a nice place for production crews looking for ample lighting and contrasting backgrounds. If you want to incorporate the look, sound, and feel of hardwood flooring into the mix, why not try the Event Space with Hardwood Floor?
Other than purpose-built spaces for recording and more, you can also use one of the many aesthetically perfect houses for your film project. The Rancho Bonito, for instance, boasts a rustic appearance and a unique overall theme which sets it apart from a regular filming location, perfect for embracing a vibrant and lively blend of colors on the screen. You can also use the Scarritt House with Guest Houses as a premium filming location and give a homely feeling to your film project. Or perhaps, you want to explore outdoor sunbathed scenery, and if that’s the case, then the Private Scout Ranch Camp Ground will be perfect for you.
You also have other outdoor options, such as the Gorgeous Vintage 1969 Airstream & Scout which delivers a breathtaking view of nature, especially at the break of dawn (but be careful about the allowed filming hours and seek permission if you want to film in hours other than those). Coming back indoors - kind of - you can use the Courtyard and Patio which deliver a soul-cleansing view of the Catalina Mountains. Or you can try a fantastic hotel lobby as your next film project background. You can pick whatever works best for you, both indoor and outdoor options are equally impressive. With so many options at your disposal, you’ll definitely be able to find a location that looks and feels the part.
Special Requirements in Tucson
Extra Requirements
On top of all the filming regulations in Tuscon discussed so far, there are some extra requirements too that you need to be acquainted with. Filming on certain premises requires additional permission, or you may have to reach out to different authorities for the permit and more.
Filming At Arizona State University
You can film on the grounds of the Arizona State University, but for that, you need to, first of all, go through all the university rules and regulations regarding on-campus commercial filming. Once you've made sure that your project complies with the university rules, you can go ahead and submit your application for filming on campus. The application must be submitted at least 15 business days prior to the scheduled filming plan though. Once your application is approved, you can reach out to Go Film AZ (state property) and finalize your permit issuance.
Filming In Tuscon International Airport
Filming is allowed in the Tuscon International Airport, but you’ll first have to review all their filming guidelines and then submit your application to the TAA (Tuscon Airport Authority) focal person. After a thorough review of your application and subsequent approval, you'll be able to film at the airport. Just be sure that you align your proposal perfectly with their guidelines and you should not have any trouble getting a go-ahead, although be mindful to send your application at least 2 weeks prior to your planned filming date.
Filming In State Parks
You might want to capture the natural allure and beauty of state parks, such as the Lost Dutchman State Park, Lake Havasu State Park, and Oracle State Park, in your film. And if that is so, you can reach out to the state park authorities for permission to film on their premises. Since state parks are state-owned properties, there won’t be any site rentals, and you can get no-fee permits for them as well.
What Does it Cost to Film in Tucson?
The filming costs in the city are not too high, as the Film Tuscon staff has a policy of making things cost-effective for production crews, and they’re committed to helping productions irrespective of their budget. Here, you have it easier than in most other cities because Tuscon is quite a welcoming place for production crews. The filming permit will be issued free of cost; giving no-fee permits is a matter of policy for Film Tuscon. Also, site rentals for state-owned properties will be completely waived. However, you’ll have to pay departmental fees (mostly by the hour) for any on-site monitoring, inspection, and more. Film Tuscon will liaise with the departments directly, but an average estimation of their charges will vary with the rank of officers involved.
Additional Fees
Besides the costs of filming the project and site rentals, you also have to take care of some additional fees. Rest assured that the Film Tuscon staff will help you manage your fees based on your budget, and you can get several rebates and waivers from the Reel Savings Incentive Program offered by the State of Arizona. Plus, you can avoid pretty much all of the costs mentioned above if your filming takes place indoors and does not require any departmental monitoring for safety assurance.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Tucson?
Tuscon has an average elevation of 806 meters above sea level; the city sits in the embrace of the Sonoran Desert, albeit in an alluvial plane, and is bordered by five mountain ranges. The Tortolita and Santa Catalina Mountains are to the north of the city, the latter houses the famous Mount Lemmon, a popular ski destination. Towards the south, the city is bordered by the Santa Rita Mountains. To the east and the west lie the Rincon and Tucson Mountains respectively. Tuscon itself hugs the Santa Cruz River, which remains dry for most of the year except for the rainy season when it floods. The city is connected to nearby towns and cities via the interstates 10 and 19 which run through it. Nearby cities and towns include Phoenix, New Mexico, Las Cruces, El Paso, and Nogales.
Outreach in Tucson
This is one area where things get a bit tougher than in some other cities, although it’s still doable. In Tuscon, you can't just drop in a notification for the neighborhood to read and then proceed with the filming process. Instead, you'll have to go door to door, meet every homeowner and business owner, and discuss your filing schedule with them and how it will impact them, and for how long. Then you need their express permission before you can go ahead with your film project. Just be nice, show up, mention what excites you the most (or something that would excite them) about the project, apologize in advance for any inconvenience, and then seek their permission. You also need to provide them with a document detailing your schedule and any possible troubles they may face (such as route closures and alternative pathways). If you’re unsure of what to do or how to get permission from the concerned residents and business owners, you can always reach out to the City of Tucson Department of Neighborhood Resources at 520 837 5013. You need to do the aforementioned for no less than two blocks bordering the filming site. Also, remember that the film set construction activities are not allowed other than Monday to Saturday, 07:30 AM to 06:00 PM.
Community Management in Tucson
People generally tend to be very friendly and welcoming in Tuscon. Since Tuscon sees an influx of tourists regularly and there have been major filmings here, people are not unacquainted with the idea of having production crews in town. You should not have much trouble convincing people to give their consent. Just be nice, show a bit of excitement about your project, and try to get them excited about the same. If all goes well, you should get a positive response from everyone you reach out to. People here tend to be very open-minded, and if you have someone on board who studied at the University of Arizona and has a shirt with the same logo, that can help too.
Conclusion
Tuscon is incredibly welcoming to film production – it offers free permits, relaxed production laws, generally favorable laws, and incentive programs for filmmakers. Combine this with the topographical beauty of the region, the urban atmosphere of the city, and the majestic beauty of the landscape, and you've got the perfect location for your next filming project. We covered how simple is to get your hands on filming permits in Tuscon and how relaxed the filming requirements are in the city. Simply put, you’ll find the perfect filming atmosphere in Tuscon; the scenery, the setup, the landscape – all of it is just perfect. The myriad of options for film productions, in both indoor and outdoor categories, are also simply marvelous.