About St. Louis
St. Louis is a charming Midwestern city, nestled in the eastern corner of Missouri. It's a hotbed for culture and history due to its long tenure as a crossroads of transportation and trade on the Mississippi River.
From fragrant barbecue to spicy Yakisoba, St. Louis' diverse food scene has attracted rising stars in both production and content creation, which has in turn made it an attractive option for filmmakers. The city has withstood its fair share of challenges over the last several decades and recently celebrated its 200th birthday!
Despite its ups and downs, St. Louis is flourishing thanks to its strong core of dedicated locals who are committed to strengthening their community—a sentiment that resonates throughout this great Midwest city!
Filming Options in St. Louis
The city of St. Louis has attracted lots of visitors over the past few years. This has made filming in St. Louis a good consideration. You will find so many services in this city that can help you achieve a successful filming project in this stunning city. This section will introduce some of these services.
- Restaurants
The city boasts a remarkable culinary scene. You should try some delicious meals in the city, including toasted ravioli, barbecue pork steaks, St. Louis-style pizza, and more. Having several spots for enjoying tasty meals in a city can be very encouraging. This makes St. Louis the perfect place to get a top dining experience.
- Equipment Rentals
Overseeing different filming projects implies that you will constantly be on the move. For a stress-free experience, you should move around the city without your bulky equipment. Having the right equipment you need for your project in your destination is important. In St. Louis, you will find several equipment rentals that will provide you with the right service you need.
- Car Rentals
Your filming project requires you to move around the city of St. Louis. To do this without hassle, you need a reliable means to achieve easy commutes. Then, why not consider renting a vehicle? You can even save costs and get the right vehicle for your project needs. You will find a lot of car rental companies in the city.
Filming Companies in St. Louis
St. Louis is a city known for its historic landmarks and culinary scenes, as well as the opportunities it presents to residents to enjoy various fun activities. Filming in St. Louis has become very popular, thanks to the availability of ideal spots and attractions. You will find some companies in the city that will make your experience worthwhile.
- Sugarfire Smoke House
This dining destination combines the best barbecue traditions with a St. Louis-style barbecue to create something unique. You will also enjoy artichokes, andouille, mushrooms, and cheese curds that have been barbecued up. The restaurant has received recognition from the New York Times.
- Schillers
Located in St. Louis, this rental company focuses on cameras, audiovisuals, and a digital print group. The product categories you will find at Schillers include lenses, cameras, tripods, Video, lighting, and flashes, among others. This rental will provide you with products that are tailored to your unique needs.
- Hertz Car Rental
The importance of car rentals as a visitor to a city cannot be ignored. After all, hassle-free commutes are necessary regardless of your project size. With Hertz Car Rental, you will get a wide range of vehicles for rent, including SUVs, cargo vans, pickup trucks, and more.
Pros and Cons of Filming in St. Louis
There are many benefits to filming in St. Louis, including the city's rich history and its numerous filming locations. However, there are also a few drawbacks to consider before deciding to film in the city.
Advantages
- St.Louis is considered to be a very affordable city for filming projects, making it an attractive option for filmmakers and production companies who may have limited budgets.
- St.Louis has a wide variety of unique filming locations that can fit almost any type of film production, including historic buildings, warehouses, industrial areas, parks, and more.
- The city is home to several experienced local crews and experienced production professionals who are willing to help out on film projects as needed.
- St Louis is centrally located in the Midwest region of the United States making it easy for productions from other places to come in and shoot their films there without having to travel too far away from their home base.
Disadvantages
- St Louis is known for its high crime rates in certain neighborhoods, so producers must be mindful of safety when scouting locations or planning shoots in these areas.
- There are limited resources available for filmmakers such as camera rental companies or props suppliers located within the city limits (although they do exist).
- Many neighborhoods within the city have strict guidelines about filming that must be adhered to.
- Parking can be an issue during production due to narrow streets and limited parking lots/garages near popular filming sites.
Tips on How to Organize Filming in St. Louis
Filming in St. Louis can be a great experience. The city has a lot to offer, from great locations to friendly people. However, it's important to be organized and prepared before you start filming. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your experience:
- Do your homework: Research the different neighborhoods in St. Louis and determine which areas are best suited for filming. Consider factors such as security, availability of equipment, and parking when selecting a location.
- Check the laws: Review local laws and obtain the necessary permits or written authorization prior to filming in any public space.
- Plan a budget: Develop a budget that covers costs associated with location rental fees, crew rates, equipment needs, insurance, legal fees, permits, and other incidentals related to your project.
- Hire some local professionals: Identify reputable local production vendors who can provide access to specialized production services such as lighting and camera rentals. Ask around for referrals from other filmmakers who have worked in the area.
- Check accessibility: Confirm access points both inside and outside of buildings where equipment will need to be set up and taken down quickly between takes (elevators, stairs, etc.).
- Be considerate: Reach out to surrounding neighbors if you plan on filming late at night or early in the morning as some may not appreciate being woken up by loud noises or bright lights coming through their windows during off-hours. Make sure they are aware of what will be going on prior to starting any filming activities so that they don't feel blindsided by your crew showing up unannounced one day.
- Always get extras: Take into consideration how many extras you will need (if any) for each scene and look for open green spaces near the location where you could host large groups outside without disrupting nearby businesses or residences too much.
Famous Places in St. Louis
- Gateway Arch
The 630-foot Gateway Arch was constructed in the 1960s and it represents an iconic spot that attracts many tourists annually. The 19th-century courthouse, which can be found between the arches, is a spot for filming in St. Louis that you want to visit. Don’t miss out on getting a good picture of the Arch before you leave and take a trip up to the top for views you cannot see anywhere else.
- Forest Park
If you wish to escape the busy city life, then this 1,300-acre park is the right place to visit. This is one of the iconic spots to visit in the city of St. Louis. There are lots of museums, a golf course, a zoo, and other attractions. One of the museums in the park, the St. Louis Art Museum is a world-renowned gallery that has paintings done by masters including Picasso, van Gogh, Matisse, and Monet.
- Busch Stadium
You can experience top-class sports activities at this stadium. The St. Louis Cardinals, an 11-time World Series Champion, call this stadium home. A full-day outing is perfect in this stadium, and you can get a tour during the off-season as well. It is the perfect spot for baseball fans to enjoy no matter what the season. During the season, you can grab some food and watch the game from one of more than 44,000 seats or next door at Ballpark Village.