What's Eating Gilbert Grape? The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. True Grit. Friday Night Lights. Office Space. Death Proof. Miss Congeniality. Spy Kids. The list of iconic television shows and movies filmed in Austin and the surrounding area is a pretty impressive one. And whether you want small town or big city vibes, you'll find plenty of filming locations in Austin, Texas, that fit the bill.
Budget-friendly and ideal for creative endeavors, featured listings on the Giggster app mean awesome locations for your next project. Fine tune your script, hire your team, and scout the best filming locales.
And if you're planning a film shoot in the Austin area, Giggster has got you covered with a huge selection of spectacular filming sites. From retro to modern, humble homes to majestic mansions and sprawling estates, indoor spots to stunning outdoor locations, there's a huge array of diverse locations to choose from.
"Alright, alright, alright"—so said Matthew McConaughey in Dazed and Confused, just one of the great movies filmed in the Austin area, including featuring exterior shots of Bedichek Middle School. And if you're searching for Austin locations for your own production, Giggster's range of filming sites are much better than just alright. Here are a few of the options you might like to consider for your next production.
Add some rural flavor to your production by filming at a leafy ranch that offers spacious grounds, privacy and seclusion, and plenty of modern creature comforts.
Violet Crown Shopping Center was an iconic location used in Dazed and Confused, but you can also find plenty of authentic retail locations on Giggster. From book stores and clothing outlets to coffee shops, the possibilities are endless.
Need to capture the humdrum nature of everyday working life? Book an office space or conference room in downtown Austin.
Searching for a vibrant modern apartment with colorful artworks and a creative vibe? You'll find suitable locations in downtown Austin, northwest Austin, and various areas around the city.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: From professional studios and downtown apartments to sprawling ranches and gorgeous outdoor settings, Giggster's range of 353 excellent filming sites will ensure that you find your dream location.
Hassle-Free Booking: Giggster's easy-to-use online interface makes it simple and straightforward to book the perfect backdrop for your project for as little as $20/hour. Even better, you can use our handy filters to narrow search results based on your needs.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: With our 24-hour free cancellation policy, you won't be slugged with additional fees if you need to cancel your booking.
Platform Protections: Enjoy added peace of mind when you book wonderful venues like World class custom built home off south congress! on Giggster. With optional damage protection, event liability insurance, and cancellation protection, our add-on renter insurance packages provide the cover you need for a stress-free shoot.
Top-notch directors like Quentin Tarantino and Richard Linklater have filmed in Austin, along with plenty of productions that might feature on a list of your favorite movies, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the ideal spot for your project. Consider the pros and cons of shooting in the Texas capital before deciding if it's right for you.
Advantages
From urban to rural settings, you'll find a huge range of locations to choose from in Austin, Texas.
Whether you're in a public park like West Enfield Park, a state park, or a private estate, the Austin area is rich in natural beauty.
Austin also has an eclectic, artsy vibe, so you won't have any trouble finding creative talent in this Texas city.
Disadvantages
Expect to face plenty of stiff competition from other filmmakers trying to secure the best sites.
Traffic around Austin can be an absolute chore, so keep that in mind when deciding on the best location for your shoot.
Considering the wide range of popular movies filmed in Austin, you might want to look further afield when choosing locations for your project.
With a whopping 353 excellent locations on Giggster, it's easy to make sure your film features the perfect Austin look. Whether you want a music venue, a private home, or anything in between, here are some of the venue options worth checking out in this part of Texas.
Video Production Studios – Professional Spaces. With a cyc wall, lighting grid, green room, and more, a video production studio offers everything you need to shoot films, commercials, and other media productions. So if you're in need of a professional setting to help take your film project to the next level, this is it.
Live Music Venues – Live Magic. The city known as the "live music capital of the world" is home to iconic venues like the Continental Club and Bass Concert Hall. And if you're searching for a location to rent as a filming site, you'll find multiple options in Austin. These venues help you create movie and TV scenes brimming with real-world authenticity, and provide a glimpse into the sort of lifestyle for which Austin is most famous.
Vineyards – Outdoor Ambiance. When you're ready to escape the urban jungle, head for vineyards in the countryside surrounding Austin. Offering acres of space, privacy, and rustic charm, vineyard scenes showcase the rural beauty on offer in many areas of Texas.
Ranches – Wide Open Locations. Searching for an iconic Texas ranch? You'll find more than one such location within easy reach of cities like Austin and San Antonio. These salt-of-the-earth venues combine seclusion and acres of space with plenty of homespun charm, making them the ideal setting for a wide range of productions.
Industrial Warehouses – Blank Canvases. Like the high school girls in many romantic comedies who take their glasses off and suddenly become beautiful, a warehouse space might just be your next unexpected love interest. These venues bring industrial grit and authenticity to any production, and they often provide versatile layouts and looks that can be tailored to suit your needs.
Behind every performance as memorable as Leonardo DiCaprio in What's Eating Gilbert Grape?, or James van der Beek in Friday Night Lights, lies plenty of careful planning and organization. Keep the following steps in mind to help you plan a successful shoot at your chosen Austin locations.
Know Your Goal – What sort of project are you working on? Is it set in Austin or in a fictional town? What sort of emotions will it evoke in audiences? Have a clear idea of what you want the finished product to be before taking any further steps.
Budget Wisely – Film budget blowouts can create more carnage than the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Set a realistic spending target at the start of the planning process and stay disciplined to ensure you don't exceed it.
Book Locations – To make sure your film features your desired look and ambiance, compare a wide range of filming sites before choosing your spot. You may also wish to expand your search to nearby San Antonio if needed.
Hire Crew – The next key step when making successful movies and TV productions is to hire the essential crew members you need. Look for experienced professionals who know the film industry inside out and can help you capture the scenes you want.
Source Equipment (and Other Extras) – You've found the perfect venue, but it might not have all the equipment you need for your film. Whether you need lighting and AV gear, furniture, catering equipment, props, or decorations, now is the time to source all the extra gear you need for your movie shoot.
Major productions like True Grit, What's Eating Gilbert Grape?, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Death Proof, and Friday Night Lights are just some of the many movies filmed around Austin. But no matter whether you're on a big budget or a shoestring, there's plenty you can do to save money on movies filmed in Austin. Keep these tips in mind to avoid blowing your budget.
Create a detailed budget.
Break down your budget into individual categories. This will ensure that your total spending limit is accurate and realistic, and it'll give you a clear picture of where all your money is going.
Shop around.
Start your search for film sites as early as possible. This will give you the opportunity to compare a wide range of venues, find the most affordable option for your film, and improve your bottom line.
Target areas where you can cut costs.
Work out which areas of your production need the maximum spend, and which areas can potentially be targeted for cost-cutting. While excellent lighting may be vital, for example, you may decide that finding cheaper catering or prop rentals is the best way to save money.
From Jennifer Aniston and Johnny Depp to Matthey McConaughey, a host of the movie industry's biggest names have filmed in Austin. So if you're planning an Austin filming project or movie, start searching for your dream filming venue with Giggster today.
