Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Rhode Island
For an introduction to shooting in Rhode Island 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.
Rhode Island Film Locations
Rhode Island is a New England state known for Providence, Newport, picturesque towns, historic mansions, white sand beaches, lighthouses, bridges, beautiful parks, diners, and majestic hotels. Despite being the smallest state in the union, it has many of the nation’s historic landmarks and hundreds of miles of coastline.
Agricultural film locations include dairy farms, as well as fields of corn and apples. Fishing boats are available for filming. Health services and tourism are the economic mainstays. Energy locations include nature gas fired power plants, as well as wind and biomass power plants.
Rhode Island has hosted productions including The Gilded Age (2022-), Moonrise Kingdom (2012), Me, Myself And Irene (2000), There’s Something About Mary (1998), Meet Joe Black (1998), Amistad (1997), Dumb & Dumber (1994), True Lies (1994), and Mystic Pizza (1988).
Providence is the state capital and largest city. Film locations include the Rhode Island State House, Providence City Hall, Providence Athenaeum, Industrial National Bank Building, Providence Biltmore, Roger Williams Park, RISD Museum, Crescent Park Looff Carousel, and Crook Point Bascule Bridge. Brown University campus buildings of note include University Hall, Robinson Hall, Sayles Hall, John Hay Library, John Carter Brown Library, Haffenreffer Museum, Pembroke Hall, Ladd Observatory, Brown Stadium, and Meehan Auditorium. There’s Something About Mary (1998), Amistad (1997), and Dumb & Dumber (1994) filmed in Providence.
Newport is known for its historic mansions and yacht-filled harbour which for many years hosted the America’s Cup. The Breakers are a famous Gilded Age mansion built by the Vanderbilts. Rosecliff mansion was filmed for Amistad (1997), and True Lies (1994). Old Colony House was filmed for Amistad (1997). Marble House, built by the Vanderbilts, was filmed for Amistad (1997). Rough Point was also a Vanderbilt family mansion. Beechwood is a Gilded Age mansion and estate once owned by the Astors. Other Newport mansions of note include Seaview Terrace, The Elms, Chateau-sur-Mer, Kingscote, Isaac Bell House, Hunter House, Chepstow, and Belcourt. Other Newport film locations include the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Audrain Auto Museum, Naval War College Museum, Bowen’s Wharf, Trinity Episcopal Church, Fort Adams State Park, Brenton Point State Park, Easton Beach, and Second Beach. The Gilded Age (2022-) filmed in Newport.
Moonrise Kingdom (2012) filmed Fort Wetherill State Park, Conanicut Island Light, Yawgoog Scout Reservation, Newport, Narragansett Bay, Jamestown, Tiverton, Watch Hill, and Rockville.
Me, Myself And Irene (2000) filmed in Newport, Jamestown, Narragansett, and Galilee.
Ochre Court was filmed for True Lies (1994).
Aldrich Mansion was filmed for Meet Joe Black (1998).
Mystic Pizza (1988) filmed in Watch Hill, and Westerly.
Westerly is a picturesque coastal town known for the majestic Ocean House Hotel.
Lighthouses of note include Beavertail Lighthouse, Rose Island Lighthouse, Nayatt Point Lighthouse, Block Island Southeast Lighthouse, and Point Judith Lighthouse.
Modern Diner is a historic roadside diner in Pawtucket.
Green Animals Topiary Garden is located in Portsmouth.
Rhode Island Film Location Permits
All visiting companies are required to register their production with the Rhode Island Film & Television Office. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Rhode Island has warm, rainy summers and cold snowy winters with colorful New England foliage in the fall.
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.
Rhode Island Tax Incentives For Filming
Rhode Island offers a 30% transferable motion picture production tax credit for qualifying productions.
Rhode Island Film Crew & Talent
Crew. Rhode Island has a small pool of local crew. If needed, crew and gear can be easily brought in from Boston or New York, only a few hours drive away.
Contact us if you are looking for a Providence or Newport 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 Rhode Island.
Talent. The state’s population is predominately Caucasian. Film characters synonymous with the state include Newport elites, yachtsmen, lighthouse keepers, and beachcombers.
Rhode Island Film Equipment
Equipment. Rhode Island has some standard grip, lighting and camera gear 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.
Rhode Island Film-Friendly Accommodation
Please contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Providence, Newport and other areas of Rhode Island.
Final Notes
Safety. Rhode Island is a very safe and reliable place for foreign productions to shoot. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Sailing and seafood.
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 Rhode Island, please see below:
Hire Rhode Island Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Rhode Island, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Rhode Island, 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.
