Minnesota 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 Minnesota? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Minnesota
For an introduction to shooting in Minnesota 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.
Minnesota Film Locations
The “Land of 10,000 Lakes”, Minnesota is a midwestern state located on Lake Superior. Film locations include the Twin Cities of Minneapolis–Saint Paul, thousands of lakes, ice caves, rivers, waterfalls, parks, lighthouses, farmland, sport venues, and picturesque small towns.
Agricultural film locations include hog and dairy farms, corn and soybean fields, and apple orchards. Fishing boats and lake freighters are available for filming. Minnesota mines iron ore. Energy locations include coal and gas fired power plants, nuclear power plants, wind farms, and hydroelectric power plants.
Minnesota has hosted productions including A Serious Man (2009), Fargo (1996), Mallrats (1995), Grumpy Old Men (1993), and The Good Son (1993).
Saint Paul is the state capital. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis–Saint Paul are known for their modern city skyline, Minnesota State Capitol building, Wells Fargo Center designed by César Pelli, Northwestern National Life Building designed by designed by Minoru Yamasaki, Walker Art Center designed by Herzog & de Meuron, Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Science Museum of Minnesota, Guthrie Theater, American Swedish Institute, Mill City Museum, Bakken Museum, St Paul’s historic Landmark Center, St Paul’s Cathedral, University of Minnesota campus, George Floyd Square, Mall Of America, Paisley Park, US Bank Stadium, Great Wolf Lodge Water Park, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Minnehaha Falls, and Lake Minnetonka. Minneapolis–Saint Paul has several interesting bridges over the Mississippi River such as the Stone Arch Bridge.
The Lake Superior port city of Duluth is known for its shipping container port, Aerial Lift Bridge, Superior Entry Lighthouse, Duluth Harbor South Breakwater Outer Lighthouse, the old bulk freighters SS William A. Irvin, and SS Meteor, Glensheen Mansion, and Fairlawn Mansion which makes for a great haunted house location.
Rochester is home to the Mayo Clinic, Rochester Art Center, Plummer House, and Assisi Heights Spirituality Center.
Moorhead is the twin city of Fargo, which is located in North Dakota.
Picturesque small towns of note include Excelsior, Northfield, Stillwater, Ely, New Ulm, and Red Wing.
The Spam Museum is located in Austin.
Split Rock Lighthouse is an impressive film location near Silver Bay.
During especially cold winters Lake Superior’s cliffs become spectacular ice caves.
Parks of note include Gooseberry Falls State Park, Superior National Forest, Minneopa State Park, Itasca State Park, Jay Cooke State Park, Interstate State Park. Tettegouche State Park, Voyageurs National Park, Judge C. R. Magney State Park, Afton State Park, Whitewater State Park, Pipestone National Monument, Blue Mounds State Park, Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Lake Maria State Park, Flandrau State Park, Myre-Big Island State Park, and George Crosby Manitou State Park.
Grand Portage National Monument and Indian Reservation is located in Grand Portage.
Ski resorts of note include Lutsen Mountains, Giants Ridge, and Mt Kato.
Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant and Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant are nuclear power plants.
Minnesota Film Location Permits
Film location permits are organized with cities, towns, roadways, waterways and parks. Proof of insurance is required. For the latest rules on drone filming, visit the FAA website. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Minnesota has climate extremes with very cold snowy winters and very hot summers. Fall brings colorful leaves. Spring is in full bloom.
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.
Minnesota Tax Incentives For Filming
20 to 25% cash rebate on eligible Minnesota expenditures. The incentive is available to qualified feature films, documentaries, TV pilots, programs or series, TV commercials, music videos, internet and post production.
Minnesota Film Crew & Talent
Crew. Minnesota has a small pool of local film crew.
Contact us if you are looking for a Minneapolis–Saint Paul or Duluth 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 Minnesota.
Talent. Minnesota’s population is predominately Caucasian. Film characters associated with the state include “Minnesota Nice” Fargo (1996) types, lake fishermen, and dairy farmers.
Minnesota Film Equipment
Equipment. Minnesota has a small pool of 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.
Minnesota Film-Friendly Accommodation
Please contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Minneapolis–Saint Paul or and other areas of Minnesota.
Final Notes
Safety. Minnesota is a very safe and reliable place for foreign productions to shoot. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Rent a lake house and take a break.
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 Minnesota, please see below:
Hire Minnesota Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Minnesota, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Minnesota, 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.
