A better starting point
for your next production.

Your first Texas shoot starts here.

Start with what the story actually needs. A useful first production plan fits on a page: what you are making, where it takes place, how many days you expect to shoot, and what you can spend. Add the decisions that could change the schedule, such as night scenes, complicated company moves, or special equipment.

Make the first conversation specific.

When you approach a regional film office, share your location area, rough dates, crew size, and the type of production. A precise brief makes it easier to ask the right questions about local resources and the offices you need to contact.

Confirm before committing.

• Identify who owns or manages every proposed location.
• Ask the responsible office what permissions and permits apply to your plans.
• Review your safety and insurance needs with the appropriate professionals.
• Keep a written record of access times, restrictions, and agreed responsibilities.
• Leave time for a backup location and a weather alternative.

Finish by collecting the practical details in your production folder: location confirmations, contacts, equipment arrangements, and the latest schedule. Share the relevant information with the crew before the shoot.

Official starting points: Regional film offices · Permits, procedures & safety

A great backdrop is only the beginning.

Scout for the scene and for the people who have to make it happen. A location that looks perfect in a photograph may be difficult to record in, light, or reach with equipment. Treat the first visit as a working survey.

Bring a repeatable checklist.

• Image: check camera angles, changing light, reflections, and visual distractions.
• Sound: listen for traffic, aircraft, refrigeration, music, and nearby activity.
• Access: walk the route from unloading to set, including stairs and narrow doors.
• Support: identify parking, restrooms, holding space, and nearby services.
• Power: have the appropriate crew assess requirements and available supply.
• Contingencies: consider shade, shelter, weather, and an alternate scene or location.

Visit around your intended shoot time when possible. Photograph the working spaces as well as the hero angles, and note what needs a follow-up answer. A listing or photograph does not establish availability or permission to film.

Start your location research: Texas Film Commission location services. Confirm access and requirements with the location owner or managing agency.

Find the people who bring it to life.

A clear crew request saves time for everyone. Describe the role, production type, area, approximate dates, and the experience or equipment you need. Be explicit about compensation, expected hours, travel, and what remains tentative.

Compare the complete proposal.

For a vendor, ask what is included in the quote and what can create additional charges. For equipment, discuss pickup and return, support, replacement plans, and any documentation the provider requires. For crew, confirm availability and responsibilities before treating a conversation as a commitment.

• Review relevant work and ask practical questions about similar productions.
• Confirm the person or business identity through an independent channel.
• Agree the scope, payment arrangements, and cancellation terms in writing.
• Keep a current contact sheet and communicate schedule changes promptly.

A directory is a discovery tool. It is still your job to decide whether a person or service is the right fit for your production.

Find starting points in the official crew directory and support services directory.

Research incentives at the source.

Build your research around the current program materials. Save the official guidelines you review and record when you reviewed them. Questions about your own project should go to the program administrators before you rely on an incentive in your production plan.

Prepare your questions.

• Which program, if any, applies to this type of project?
• What application timing and documentation does the program require?
• Which costs and activities are considered under the current rules?
• What approvals and reporting would this project need?

Film in Texas does not determine eligibility or promise an award. We link to the administering agency so you can check the latest information directly.

Current program information: Texas Film Commission production incentives overview.