The Hewitt House was used in the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" movies located in Granger, Texas. (Mike Brake/Shutterstock)
“Boyhood.” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” “No Country For Old Men.” “Miss Congeniality.”
No, these are not my top four on Letterboxd. They’re iconic movies that were filmed on location in Texas, which has a rich film history despite not being your typical Los Angeles or New York star-studded city.
And with a new incentive, the Lone Star State could see even more movies and TV shows being filmed here. The program, headed by Houston First Corporation and announced in October, will offer productions filmed in Houston 10% back on local spending. This will apply to up to $100,000 per project, with $400,000 available each year.
“Houston is one of the most diverse and visually dynamic cities in the country,” Michael Heckman, President and CEO of Houston First, said in a statement. “This new incentive program sends a strong message that we’re open for business when it comes to film and television production.”
Not only does the incentive program hope to establish Houston as a major player in the media industry, but it is also expected to help with local job creation and economic growth.
There are some requirements, however, to be eligible for the funding:
- 60% of filming must happen within a 60-mile radius of downtown Houston
- There must be at least $500,000 of local spending
- The cast and crew must consist of more than half of Texas residents
- The main production office needs to be in Houston
The incentive comes on the heels of a new film and television campus opening in Fort Worth by Hillwood, SGS Studios, and Paramount Television in August. The 450,000-square-foot campus is the largest of its kind in Texas. SGS Studios is owned by “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan. One of Sheridan’s other projects, “Landman,” is currently filming season two at the new campus.
“Texas offers something rare: the space to dream big, the freedom to build fast, and a community that still believes storytelling matters,” Sheridan said.
The passage of Senate Bill 22 earlier this year appears to have led to the increased focus on media productions happening in the state. The bill divvies out $300 million in funding to qualifying productions every two years through 2035.
