Film & Television Production in Texas

Texas has a strong heritage of film and television production, and has maintained a reputation for being a great place to make any type of project. The more than 130 local production companies have created an artistic and hard-working community that has attracted filmmakers from all over the world. In 2007, Texas was the primary location for Director Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood, which went on to win the Academy Award® for Best Cinematography. No Country for Old Men, The Great Debaters, and television shows Prison Break and Friday Night Lights were also among the more than 100 TV and film projects that shot in Texas last year.

The film industry in Texas began when the New York-based Star Film Company moved to San Antonio in 1910 and produced more than 80 films in a year's time span. In 1927 the World War I movie Wings was made in Texas and went on to win the first Academy Award® for best picture.

In the almost 100 years since the Star Film Company came to the State, Texas has amassed an impressive and long list of critically acclaimed films and television programs, including Giant (1956); The Last Picture Show (1971); The Sugarland Express (1974); Dallas (1978-1991); Terms of Endearment (1983); Barney and Friends (1992-present); Dazed and Confused (1993); Apollo 13 (1995); Office Space (1999); Spy Kids (2001); Secondhand Lions (2003). For a more complete list of projects made in Texas, visit the Filmography.

Why Texas for Film & Television

Financial Incentives
Texas offers production incentives for film, TV, commercial, and video game projects equal to 5% of in-state spending. Filmmakers are also eligible to receive sales tax exemptions on many of the goods and services used during production. If you're in the state for more than 30 days, you're also exempt from a portion of occupancy tax on hotel rooms. You can visit the Texas Incentive Program page for more information.

Qualified Crew
With so much history and an endless list of productions, it's no wonder that Texas would be rich in experienced crew. Plus, with major cities across the State, there are several hubs from which to draw crew. It's estimated that on average, 80% of the crew for feature film and television projects in Texas are hired locally. Visit the Production Directory for a list of these talented folks.

Great Locations
Texas is all about locations. With more than 268,000 square miles, the perfect location is out there. From beaches along the Gulf of Mexico to the tail end of the Rocky Mountains, Texas has a dramatic variety of terrain. Texas also leads all other states in the number of farms and ranches with primary crops of cotton, corn, grains rice and wheat. You can contact the Texas Film Commission for assistance in finding your ideal location!

Support Services
Texas is your filmmaking one-stop-shop. Whether it's prop rental, generators or housing, Texas has the infrastructure in place to accommodate productions of any size. The Production Directory also has information on all the support companies in Texas.

Climate
With mild winters, long stretches of clear skies and warm temperatures during the summer, Texas's weather is another great reason for filming in the State. Our rainy seasons in the Spring and early Fall are also quite accommodating to production schedules because rainy periods typically last no longer than a couple days at a time.