(Graphic by Kyle Heise)
Film Friendly Texas is an up-to-date service provided by the Texas Film Commission (TFC) that’s free for anyone to use and includes over 175 “Film Friendly Certified Communities.” These certified communities have gone through a screening process in which the community is trained on how to best accommodate local film and media productions. Community liaisons with local knowledge, who are trained and guided by the TFC, are also available to help filmmakers.
An interactive map and drop-down menu allow filmmakers to search by location, either through Texas regions, county names or exact cities. Local government officials for each location are listed, to which questions can be directed regarding the filming particulars, processes and financial burdens of each location.
Film permitting in Texas can vary by location, so it’s critical to do research before deciding on a specific set. Film Friendly Texas offers a rundown in the Permits & Procedures section, which acts as an encyclopedia of what needs to happen behind the scenes to successfully film a project. Set safety is also detailed in full, as are labor regulations and the use of animals in filming.
Also included with the free service is a filming location database tool, full of galleries for several Texas locations, both rural and urban. You can alternatively offer your own property as a production location, which, if deemed usable by the TFC, can potentially bring in additional dollars.
And finally, a synopsis of Texas agriculture, climate and geography allows filmmakers to decide not only where to shoot, but when. Information on specific weather conditions and their visual effect on farmland can be found here, as can a sunset and sunrise chart.
For this information and more, go to texas.gov/film/page/fftx_overview.
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