Maryland 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 Maryland? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Maryland
For an introduction to shooting in Maryland 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.
Maryland Film Locations
Maryland is a Mid-Atlantic state located on the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay, and Atlantic Ocean. The Appalachian Mountains pass through the western part of the state. Maryland is known for the cities of Baltimore and Annapolis, as well as historical sites, Civil War battlefields, museums, medical facilities, universities, stadiums, extensive shorelines, covered bridges, and nature parks.
Agricultural film locations include farms that produce horses, dairy products, wheat, corn, barley, hay, and soybeans. Fishing vessels are available for filming. Energy locations include coal and natural gas fired power plants, as well as nuclear power plants.
Films of note shot in Maryland include We Own This City (2022), The Social Network (2010), Step Up (2006), Syriana (2005), Wedding Crashers (2004), The Blair Witch Project (1999), Runaway Bride (1999), Twelve Monkeys (1995), Diner (1982), as well as a long list of films by Baltimore native, John Waters, such as Hairspray (1988), and Pink Flamingos (1972). TV shows that filmed in Maryland include House of Cards (2013-2018), VEEP (2012-2019), The Wire (2002-2008), and The West Wing (1999-2006).
Baltimore is the state’s largest city known for its formstone rowhouses, city skyline, and harbour. Film locations of interest include the Port of Baltimore, USS Constellation Civil War era ship, Nuclear Ship Savannah, Baltimore County Public Safety Building, Baltimore Convention Centre, Baltimore City Hall, Baltimore Basilica, Scottish Rite temple, Johns Hopkins University campus which hosted The Social Network (2010), University of Maryland campus, Davidge Hall anatomical theatre, Garrett-Jacobs Mansion, Cloisters Castle, Fort McHenry National Monument, George Peabody Library, Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Baltimore Museum of Art, B&O Railroad Museum, Walters Art Museum, American Visionary Art Museum, Maryland Science Center, Green Mount Cemetery, National Electronics Museum, Old Town Mall, Federal Hill Park, Patterson Park, Pimlico Race Course, Oriole Park, FedExField, and M&T Bank Stadium. We Own This City (2022), VEEP (2012-2019), House of Cards (2013-2018), The Wire (2002-2008), The West Wing (1999-2006), Step Up (2006), Syriana (2005), Twelve Monkeys (1995), Hairspray (1988), Diner (1982), and Pink Flamingos (1972) filmed throughout Baltimore.
Annapolis is the state capital. Film locations include the Maryland State House, US Naval Academy, and St Anne’s Episcopal Church. House of Cards (2013-2018) filmed in Annapolis.
Bethesda is known for the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Naval Surface Warfare Center, and Congressional Country Club.
Other interesting film locations located just outside of Washington DC include National Museum of Health and Medicine, College Park Aviation Museum, Washington DC LSD Temple, Fort Lincoln Cemetery, Cedar Hill Cemetery, and National Agricultural Library which has a Smokey Bear Archive.
Abandoned film locations include Forest Haven Asylum, Crownsville Hospital Center, Glenn Dale Hospital, and Klotz Throwing Company factory.
Frederick is known for the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, and Monocacy National Battlefield Civil War site.
Burkittsville was filmed for The Blair Witch Project (1999).
Antietam National Battlefield is a Civil War site in Sharpsburg.
Covered bridges of note include Jericho Covered Bridge, Roddy Road Covered Bridge, and Loy’s Station Covered Bridge.
Camp David is the country retreat for the president of the United States.
Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant is located near Lusby.
Ocean City is known for its beaches, boardwalk, and Ocean City Life-Saving Museum.
The town of St Michaels was filmed for Wedding Crashers (2004).
The town of Berlin was filmed for Runaway Bride (1999).
Assateague Island is known for its wild horses.
Seneca Creek State Park and Patapsco Valley State Park featured in The Blair Witch Project (1999). Other nature parks of note include Swallow Falls State Park, Great Falls Park, Sandy Point State Park, Assateague State Park, Gunpowder Falls State Park, Catoctin Mountain Park, Calvert Cliffs State Park, Rocky Gap State Park, Susquehanna State Park, Gambrill State Park, and Greenbrier State Park.
Maryland Film Location Permits
Permits are required to film on Baltimore City property. Outside of Baltimore, each jurisdiction has its own permitting process. Generally speaking, permitting is a streamlined, easy process. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Eastern Maryland has humid summers and a short, mild to cool winter. The higher elevations of Western Maryland have milder summers with cold, snowy winters. Maryland offers spring colors in full bloom and beautiful foliage in 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.
Maryland Tax Incentives For Filming
Qualifying films are eligible for a tax credit of up to 25%. Qualifying TV series may receive a credit of up to 27%. An exemption from the 6% state sales and use tax is available to qualified feature, television, cable, commercial, documentary, and music video, projects.
Maryland Film Crew & Talent
Crew. The mid-Atlantic region has a good pool of crew to choose from.
Contact us if you are looking for a Baltimore 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 Maryland.
Talent. The local population is predominately Caucasian and African American.
Maryland Film Equipment
Equipment. Maryland offers some standard camera, grip, and lighting equipment.
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.
Maryland Film-Friendly Accommodation
Please contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Baltimore and other areas of Maryland.
Final Notes
Safety. Maryland is a very safe and reliable place for foreign productions to shoot. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Feast on blue crabs.
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 Maryland, please see below:
Hire Maryland Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Maryland, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Maryland, 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.
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