Find Filming locations for rent in Austin, TX

About Austin

While it is the fourth largest city in Texas, Austin started out as a small village named Waterloo. It became the permanent location for the capital of the state in 1839. In 1840, it became an incorporated city. The Texas government had to move to Houston in 1842 due to the threat of Mexican invasion but returned to Austin in 1845.

When a permanent bridge was established over the Colorado River, and the Houston and Texas Central Railroad arrived in the area, Austin began to thrive as a hub for trading. In 1900, a flood collapsed the bridge and caused major destruction. Austin had another boom in the 1990s when high-technology companies moved to the area.

There are many production companies and excellent featured locations in Austin, and many filmmakers love to create movies and shows in the city. If you have seen shows and movies like Fear the Walking Dead, Miss Congeniality, and most Matthew McConaughey films, you'll no doubt see some Austin backdrops and landmarks.

Since this city has so many diverse locations, it's easy to create great movie and film setups. In fact, the fictional town of Endora in Iowa was created in an Austin suburb. This suburb was the focal point of the movie What's Eating Gilbert Grape featuring Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Filming Options in Austin

A major city like Austin will have plenty of options and amenities to benefit your next project. No matter what kind of help you might need, this bustling metropolis has something for everyone, so you will have no trouble finding your Austin filming venue. Since there are multiple filming locations and many movies filmed here, the infrastructure setup is quite good.

• Transportation
  Austin is a busy city, which can make getting around a hassle. There are public transportation networks, as well as private car companies. Private options can provide a more comfortable way to get around when shooting in Austin. If you have to travel from one city to another like San Antonio, you could also opt for private cars to travel. However, that would mean more frequent stops at the gas station. Instead, opting for intercity public transport is a great way to save money and travel comfortably.

• Studio
  If you need studio or office space for your film project, you won’t run out of options in this city. There are plenty of studio spaces around the city, no matter what kind of project you are creating. Many spaces you can rent for your project will include some kind of equipment on site. Many television shows about office politics, law offices, and more are shot here since the office space is easy to convert into a film or series set.

• Equipment
  Proper equipment is vital when shooting anything in Austin. You can rent cameras, lights, and rigs from several companies around the city. You can also consider hiring a production company, which will provide an entire team that can travel to multiple film locations. Since there are multiple movies filmed in same or different Austin locations, you might also recognize some familiar scenes shot for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and What's Eating Gilbert Grape.

• Catering
  A catering service can greatly enhance the mood of your Austin film project. It’s a simple way to show your team that you appreciate how hard they are working. Austin is full of delicious catering options to consider with top notch food options.

Filming Companies in Austin

Austin is home to plenty of companies that can benefit your next film project. These companies are full of creative professionals prepared to bring your vision to life.

• Austin Private Car Service
  At Austin Private Car Service, you can take advantage of a range of luxury vehicles during your next film project. The cars offered include sprinter vans, SUVs, Navigators, and more. Austin Private Car Service provides private transportation for wine and brewery tours, airport pick up and drop off, and corporate car services.

• Austin Catering
  Austin Catering has been in the industry for more than a decade and can provide gourmet catering services. They can create custom menus, in addition to full-service event planning, and have experience with corporate and social events. The professionals at Austin Catering are passionate about food, flawless execution, and artistic presentation.

• GEAR Cameras and Lighting
  You can turn to GEAR Cameras and Lighting for any camera rental needs you have when shooting in Austin. They offer top notch cameras, lenses, grip support, lighting gear, and more. You can rent a truck package, and even create custom packages better suited for your exact needs. One of the greatest features of this company is that a crew member can deliver the truck package right to you.

Pros and Cons of Filming in Austin

There are pros and cons to every city, including Austin. Make sure you know all the disadvantages as well as the advantages before finalizing your Austin film locations.

Advantages

• Friendly locals
  When you’re in Austin, Texas, the locals are genuinely friendly. Everyone is generally happy and usually in a good mood, unless there's an emergency. This pleasant atmosphere is one of the major pros of the city. This jovial attitude also helps filmmakers make long-lasting relationships on location, which helps get the movies filmed faster.
  
  
• Outdoor fun
  Austin is full of outdoor fun to enjoy. There are multiple parks that offer hiking, kayaking, swimming, biking, and more. These parks are some of the city’s top attractions. Outdoor locations are also excellent for movies like Texas Ranger, Death Proof, Dazed and Confused, Miss Congeniality, and more.
  
  
• Food
  If you love a good Texas BBQ, you would definitely find some of the best smoked BBQ restaurants in Austin and its surrounding areas. Plus, you can visit one of the most famous film locations in the city, which is the Baker Street Pub and Grill on Lamar Blvd, where Office Space was shot.
  
  
• Best film locations
  Movies and shows like Idiocracy, Spy Kids, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, and Varsity Blues were shot in Austin, just to name a few. And directors like Mike Judge and Quentin Tarantino love the city's aesthetics, making it perfect for most photographers and filmmakers. The famous high school film "Dazed and Confused" (the city's Bedichek Middle School and West Enfield Park make appearances), the horror film "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," (see the farmhouse when it was filmed on Quick Hill Road, just north of town) and the famous football series "Friday Night Lights" were shot in the Austin area.
  
  
• Entertainment and music venue hub
  Aside from the film locations and the tons of movies filmed in the area, Austin is also a top music and entertainment hub, with tons of venues like Bass Concert Hall, the Travis County Expo Center (seen in Luke Wilson's "Idiocracy"), West Enfield Park and the Violet Crown Shopping Center (featured in "Dazed and Confused").
  
  
• Sunshine
  For the most part, the small town of Austin is always sunny. The city averages 228 days of sun a year and is one of the sunniest places in the country. The sunshine also contributes to mild weather throughout most of the year.

Disadvantages

• Car centric
  If you’ll be in Austin for an extended period of time, then you’ll need a car to get around, just like you would if you lived in areas like Los Angeles. It’s a car-centered city, and the public transportation system isn’t that effective. Another option is to use a private car service, which can get expensive after a while. Unlike in New York, you will need a car to get around the Austin area from one movie location to another.
  
  
• Summer heat
  In the summer, the heat in Austin can become unbearable. It can make it hard to enjoy outdoor activities, especially during the middle of the day when temperatures are at their highest. Good thing you can visit any shopping center to get a little AC when it gets really hot. Another popular location I the Continental Club, which has also been the space for many movies filmed in Austin.
  
  
• Traffic
  Since Austin is such a populated city without good public transportation, you can expect a lot of traffic on the roads. This is a major drawback for locals and tourists alike.

Famous Locations in Austin

• Zilker Park
  Alongside Lady Bird Lake in Austin, you can find Zilker Park. It’s one of the top outdoor recreation areas in the city, with plenty of trails, picnic areas, and grassy fields to enjoy. There’s a playground in the park for kids called the Zilker Playscape. There is also a miniature train called the Zilker Zephyr that takes guests along the edge of the river.

• Congress Avenue Bridge
  The Congress Avenue Bridge is one of the top attractions in Austin, especially around dusk. During that time, visitors can watch as Mexican free-tailed bats fly through the sky. The area is home to the largest urban colony in the world, and they can be glimpsed flying from March to November. They aren’t active during the winter months. The bridge offers some breathtaking views of the city stretching under it as well.

• McKinney Falls State Park
  McKinney Falls State Park is one of the top outdoor attractions in all of the North Texas region. It boasts some of the state’s most beautiful waterfalls and is a great getaway from the bustling city atmosphere. There are over 80 campsites to utilize, as well as six cabins that can be rented. The main Onion Creek Trail provides ample opportunities for biking and hiking.