Iowa 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 Iowa? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Iowa
For an introduction to shooting in Iowa 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.
Iowa Film Locations
Iowa is a landlocked midwestern state known for Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, unique museums, and its landscape of parks, rolling plains, rivers, lakes, covered bridges, small towns, and farmland.
Agricultural film locations include fields of corn, soybeans, apples, and oats, as well as cattle and hog farms.
Iowa has hosted films including Michael Clayton (2007), Election (1999), Twister (1996), The Bridges of Madison County (1995), Field of Dreams (1989), and Children of the Corn (1984).
Film locations of interest to filmmakers and photographers include the following:
Des Moines is the state capital and largest city. Film locations include a small city skyline, State Capitol building, Des Moines Art Center, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Salisbury House & Gardens, Hubbell Mansion, Downtown Farmers’ Market, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Tressle Trail Bridge.
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city. Film locations include the Brucemore Mansion & Gardens, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, and Cedar Rapids Museum of Art.
Iowa City film locations include the University of Iowa campus, and the Old Capitol building.
Davenport film locations include the Figge Art Museum, and Putnam Museum and Science Center.
Council Bluffs is known for the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Squirrel Cage Jail, and Grenville M. Dodge House. Michael Clayton (2007) filmed in Council Bluffs.
Picturesque small town locations include Bentonsport, McGregor, Eldora, Manilla, Decorah, and Winterset.
The Bridges of Madison County (1995) filmed in Winterset.
The Field of Dreams, located in Dyersville, is a baseball field built for Field of Dreams (1989).
The Amana Colonies of Amana, East Amana, High Amana, Middle Amana, South Amana, West Amana, and Homestead, are villages built by German Pietists in the mid-19th century.
Iowa State University campus is located in Ames.
Living History Farms is an open-air museum located in Urbandale.
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum is located in West Branch.
American Gothic House is located in Eldon.
Villisca Axe Murder House is located in Villisca.
MacNider Art Museum is located in Mason City.
National Motorcycle Museum is located in Anamosa.
The Museum of Danish America is located in Elk Horn.
The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption is a religious shrine located in West Bend.
Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad is available for film projects.
Iowa 80 is the world’s largest truck stop, located in Walcott.
Sundown Mountain is a small ski resort.
Nature parks of interest include Maquoketa Caves State Park, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Ledges State Park, Pikes Peak State Park, Wildcat Den State Park, Stone State Park, Yellow River State Forest, Waubonsie State Park, Lake Macbride State Park, Lacey Keosauqua State Park, Palisades-Kepler State Park, DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Lewis and Clark State Park, George Wyth State Park, Big Creek State Park, Geode State Park, and Backbone State Park.
Iowa Film Location Permits
No general permits required for filming in Iowa. Location fees are typically modest. Filming in parks and closing streets requires permits and proof of insurance. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Spring is generally quite wet. Summers are hot and humid. Iowa experiences tornadoes in the spring and summer months. Fall brings colorful leaves on the ground. Winters are very cold and snow-covered.
Every four years, as US presidential elections loom, the world comes to Iowa for the Iowa caucuses, the first in the nation.
RAGBRAI is a week-long biking event that crosses the state, held in July.
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.
Iowa Tax Incentives For Filming
Iowa does not offer a production incentive program.
Iowa Film Crew & Talent
Crew. Iowa has a small pool of local crew.
Contact us if you are looking for a Des Moines or Sioux City 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 Iowa.
Talent. The state’s population is predominately Caucasian. Iowa is synonymous with farmers.
Iowa Film Equipment
Equipment. Iowa has some standard grip, lighting and camera gear for hire.
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.
Iowa Film-Friendly Accommodation
Please contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Des Moines, Sioux City and other areas of Iowa.
Final Notes
Safety. Iowa is a very safe and reliable place for foreign productions to shoot. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. County Fairs and delicious farm to table meals.
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 Iowa, please see below:
Hire Iowa Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Iowa, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Iowa, 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.
