Mississippi Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews
Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Mississippi? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Mississippi
For an introduction to shooting in Mississippi see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.
Mississippi Film Locations
The Magnolia State, Mississippi, is known for its Deep South locations of rolling hills, tall pine forests, secluded lakes, rivers, waterfalls, white sand beaches, bustling cities, quaint little towns, and Civil War sites. The Mississippi River runs along the western side of the state. The Natchez Trace Parkway is a historic forest trail that passes through the state.
Agricultural film locations include plantations of cotton, soybeans, corn, and peaches. Mississippi is a leading shrimp and farmed catfish producing state. Energy locations include coal and natural gas fired power plants, and nuclear power plants.
Mississippi has hosted films including Till (2022), Ma (2019), Free State of Jones (2016), True Blood (2008-2014), The Help (2011), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), and Mississippi Burning (1988).
Jackson is the state capital. Film locations of note include the Mississippi Museum of Art, Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, State Capitol building, Old Capitol Museum, Governor’s Mansion, Supreme Court building, Lamar Life Building, and Greenwood Cemetery. Jackson was filmed for The Help (2011), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), and Mississippi Burning (1988).
Natchez is known for its antebellum homes, churches, and beautiful parks with Spanish moss-draped trees. Antebellum mansions of note include Dunleith Historic Inn, Magnolia Hall, Stanton Hall, Longwood Plantation, Rosalie, Linden, Melrose, Mammoth, and Glen Auburn. Historical locations of note include the Grand Village of the Natchez Indian, Emerald Mound, and the African American Museum of History and Culture. Religious locations of note include St Mary Basilica, Temple B’nai Israel, Rose Hill Baptist, Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal, and Trinity Episcopal Church. Natchez was filmed for Ma (2019), and True Blood (2008-2014).
Oxford is best known for the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) campus. Oxford Courthouse Square is a beautiful small town square with storefront and Lafayette County Courthouse. Rowan Oak was William Faulkner’s House. Oxford was filmed for O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), and The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996).
Vicksburg is known for the Battle of Vicksburg American Civil War site, USS Cairo Museum, Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg riverboat casino, Lower Mississippi River Museum, Old Depot Museum, Old Courthouse, Vicksburg National Cemetery, and Cedar Hill Cemetery. Vicksburg was filmed for O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), and Mississippi Burning (1988).
Tupelo is the birthplace of Elvis Presley. Other film locations of interest include Tupelo National Battlefield American Civil War site, and the Tupelo Airport Airplane Boneyard.
Canton has an impressive small town square and main street. Other small town America main street looks can be found in the towns of New Albany, Corinth, Holly Springs, and Carthage. Canton was filmed for O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), and Mississippi Burning (1988).
Senatobia was filmed for The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996).
Biloxi is known for the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum Of Art designed by Frank Gehry, Biloxi Lighthouse, Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, and several casinos including Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and IP Casino Resort Spa.
The Gulf Islands National Seashore is home to six barrier islands: Cat Island, Ship Island, Deer Island, Horn Island, Round Island, and Petit Bois Island.
Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield is an American Civil War site in Lee County.
Grand Gulf Nuclear Station is located in Port Gibson.
Greenwood was filmed for Till (2022), and The Help (2011).
Nature parks of note include LeFleur’s Bluff State Park, Natchez National Historical Park, Natchez Trace Cypress Swamp, De Soto National Forest, Holly Springs National Forest, and Leroy Percy State Park.
Mississippi Film Location Permits
The state does not require any permits or fees for filming. Some productions may be required to obtain a Certificate of Authority from the Secretary of State’s office. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Summers are long and humid. Winters are short and mild. Northern and central Mississippi experience some snowfall. Coastal areas are warmer in the winter than they are in the interior. Coastal areas experience hurricanes in the late summer.
The Natchez Balloon Festival takes place in October.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in the United States.
Unique Local Stories
Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.
If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.
If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.
Mississippi Tax Incentives For Filming
Mississippi offers qualifying productions a 25% cash rebate on local spend and 30% for Mississippi resident payroll. A bonus 5% is offered for productions hiring US Armed forces veterans. A reduced sales tax rate equal to 1.5% may apply to equipment used in the production of a motion picture.
Mississippi Film Crew & Talent
Crew. Mississippi has some crew available locally.
Contact us if you are looking for a Jackson, Natchez or Gulfport based director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew in Mississippi.
Talent. The state’s population is predominately Caucasian and African American. Movie character stereotypes include Baptist preachers, good ole boys, hunters, shrimp fisherman, and cotton farmers speaking in a Southern drawl.
Mississippi Film Equipment
Equipment. Mississippi has some standard camera, grip and lighting equipment available locally.
Communications. Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.
Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.
For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.
Mississippi Studios & Post Production
Studios. Mississippi Film Studios is a state of the art purpose-built facility with a large sound stage and production offices.
Mississippi Film-Friendly Accommodation
Please contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Jackson, Natchez, Gulfport and other areas of Mississippi.
Final Notes
Safety. Mississippi is a very safe and reliable place for foreign productions to shoot. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Farm to table eats, history and heritage.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Mississippi, please see below:
Hire Mississippi Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Mississippi, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Mississippi, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
