About Tacoma
Tacoma, Washington is a vibrant and bustling city located in the Puget Sound region. It's a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike due to the variety of activities on offer ranging from outdoor activities like camping and fishing to exhibits at the Museum of Glass, or energy-filled sports games at Cheney Stadium. Tacoma is most known for its growing art and culture scene that has attracted production companies, content creators, and independent filmmakers.
In fact, it’s often been referred to as “Hollywood of the North” as many notable films have been shot in this region - such as Jackass 3D; one of the most successful digital 3D releases in 2010. It’s rapidly become a hub for creatives who are looking for uniquely cinematic spots to film. By day, you might spot an exciting film production taking place around town! Who knows what hidden gems you might find here?
Tacoma has continued to experience growth in its economy over the years. It is home to a lot of international companies and industries. The major employers in the city are healthcare, insurance, education, finance, government, aerospace, and trade. Tacoma also brags about its infrastructure. The city is home to good roads and railways. Some architectural buildings add to the city's beauty. You can also enjoy the parks, recreational facilities, museums, and many attractions in the city. All this makes it a fantastic idea to choose a film shoot location in Tacoma.
Film Shoot Location Options in Tacoma
- Catering
Tacoma is home to a lot of delicious foods. Both residents and visitors always have something to say about the culinary experience in the city. There are many choices of restaurants for residents and tourists to choose from. You can get food at affordable prices. Having a film shoot location that is close to a restaurant would help. The caterers in the city are reliable and professional, and most of them also offer delivery services.
- Transportation
Choosing a city where you don't have to worry about moving from one place to another would greatly help your film shoot location. Even though Tacoma is a large city, residents and visitors don't have issues moving from one part of the city to another. This is because Tacoma is home to many transportation companies that help get you to your destination and also transport your goods. Tourists and visitors don't have to worry about navigating the city.
- Event Planning
Event planning is a very common business in Tacoma, this is because of the city's beauty, culture, and amazing social scenery. There are a lot of professional event planners in Tacoma that help guarantee the success of your event. If you decide to have a party or event you can always contact a professional event planner, and be rest assured of a great outcome.
Film Shoot Location Vendors in Tacoma
- Gallucci's Catering
Gallucci's Catering service has been operating for over 20 years. They are quite popular in Tacoma and the Pacific Northwest for offering specialty foods. They have worked with thousands of weddings, parties, and corporate events and continue to receive positive reviews.
- Life Express LLC
Life Express LLC is an expert truck company with over 12 years of experience. They help transport and deliver goods in and out of Tacoma. Their primary service is the import and export of Intermodal containers in the Port of Seattle and Tacoma.
- Blue Wings Events
Blue Wings Even is an event planning company that has been operating for over 5 years. They are a full-time wedding planner, corporate events planner, and other celebrations. Their goal is to listen, guide, and provide an authentic experience.
Pros and Cons of Film Shoots in Tacoma
Tacoma is a perfect spot to film your next movie, boasting plenty of ideal shooting locations. Before committing to Tacoma as the site for your shoot, there are some factors you should weigh out.
Advantages
- Tacoma is an incredibly scenic and beautiful place, offering stunning views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and the Olympic Mountains.
- The city has a rich film history, having been used as a filming location for major motion pictures such as 10 Things I Hate About You and Say Anything.
- Tacoma has a well-developed infrastructure that enables easy access to transportation, lodging, catering services, film equipment rental companies, and more.
- The city is relatively inexpensive compared to other metropolitan areas in the state. This can be beneficial for filmmakers looking to keep their budgets low while still getting high-quality shots.
Disadvantages
- Because it is a smaller city than places like Seattle or Los Angeles, access to certain crew members or resources may be limited; filmmakers may need to look outside the area for these things.
- Tacoma’s weather can be unpredictable at times. There may be rain during summer months that forces shoot to be delayed or canceled altogether.
- Some spaces require a permit before shooting can begin - obtaining one of these permits can take time and money that may not be feasible for some productions.
- Traffic within the city limits can cause delays on shoot days; finding alternate routes or avoiding certain areas entirely may be necessary depending on the production size and schedule.
Tips on How to Organize Film Shoots in Tacoma
Organizing filming locations can be challenging, but with a bit of planning, it can be easily accomplished. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Scout the area: Before deciding on a film shoot location in Tacoma, take some time to explore the city and get to know the various areas and neighborhoods. This will give you a better sense of which locations would work best for your project and what permits or permissions you may need.
- Create an itinerary: Once the specific location has been secured, create an itinerary for each day of filming. This should include details such as call times, break times, meal times, transportation needs (if any), breaks between shoots, etc. so that everyone knows what to expect throughout production.
- Arrange transportation & accommodations: Consider arranging transportation and accommodations for cast/crewmembers who are coming from out of town – this will ensure they arrive on time and reduce stress levels throughout production.
- Coordinate with local authorities: Contact local authorities – such as police departments – about your shoot so that they are aware of it taking place. This also gives you an opportunity to discuss any safety precautions or special considerations required by law enforcement during production.
- Prepare each scene: Before shooting begins at a particular location in Tacoma, make sure all props/furniture/equipment are properly set up according to the script/storyboard. This will help ensure continuity between scenes and reduce delays due to last-minute scrambling by crewmembers looking for missing pieces or props during production.
- Have contingency plans in place: Always have backup plans ready just in case unforeseen circumstances arise that require a change of venue or additional measures be taken during filming (e.g., sudden rain showers).
- Monitor weather conditions carefully: Monitor weather conditions closely throughout production so that crew members can take appropriate precautions when needed (e.g., having umbrellas or rain ponchos available).
Famous Locations in Tacoma
- Tacoma Art Museum
The Tacoma art museum building is known for its beauty both inside and outside. The Museum is home to numerous galleries. There is the Haub Family Collection of Western American Art has about 300 art pieces ranging from old times to the present. The museum is also host to several events.
- Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
This is a 25-acre facility of both a zoo and an aquarium. The facility is home to several species of animals. To ensure a high standard of care for the animals, the zoo has accreditation from the association of Zoo and Aquarium. The facility records 700,000 visitors in a year.
- Foss Waterway Seaport
The Foss Waterway Seaport is a historical museum located in the northernmost part of the Tacoma Museum District. The main purpose of the facility is to tell the maritime history of the city. Exhibits in the museum include historical records, pictures, and artifacts.
