Nevada 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 Nevada? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Nevada
For an introduction to shooting in Nevada 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.
Nevada Film Locations
Nevada is a western state best known for the cities of Las Vegas, Reno, and Carson City, as well as arid landscapes and canyons, lonely desert highways, tunnels, truck inns and rest stops, classic roadside diners, unique museums, desert golf courses, mountains, lakes, forests, dams, nuclear test sites, and abandoned mines.
Agricultural film locations include cattle ranches, and farms that produce alfalfa hay, wheat, corn, and potatoes. Gold and silver are mined. Gambling and entertainment tourism is the economic mainstay. Energy locations include coal and natural gas fired power plants, as well as renewable energy from geothermal, hydroelectric, and solar power plants.
Nevada has hosted productions including Nomadland (2020), Jason Bourne (2016), The Hangover (2009), Iron Man (2008), Into The Wild (2007), Transformers (2007), Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Joy Ride (2001), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998), Con Air (1997), Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), Casino (1995), Star Trek: Generations (1994), Clear and Present Danger (1994), The Good Son (1993), Sister Act (1992), Misery (1990), Total Recall (1990), Rain Man (1988), Top Gun (1986), Godfather II (1974), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and Viva Las Vegas (1964) as well as a long list of TV commercials, photography shoots, and TV shows.
Film locations can be divided by the two main film production centres, Las Vegas in the south of the state, and Reno in the west of the state.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas, located in the south of the state, is the state’s largest city and main film production centre. As well as the world famous casinos of the Vegas Strip, Las Vegas is also know for desert golf courses, mansions, gated communities, and modern architecture. Casinos of note include the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Wynn Las Vegas, Circus Circus, Luxor Hotel & Casino, Stratosphere Casino, Planet Hollywood, Golden Nugget, The Venetian, ARIA Resort and Casino, The Cosmopolitan, The Mirage, Flamingo Las Vegas, Paris Las Vegas, New York – New York Hotel & Casino, Excalibur Hotel, Red Rock Casino, Palms Casino Resort, Treasure Island, Harrah’s Las Vegas, Tropicana Las Vegas, and El Cortez Hotel and Casino, to name a few. Museums of note include the Mob Museum, Nevada State Museum, National Atomic Testing Museum, Pinball Hall of Fame, Burlesque Hall of Fame, Erotic Heritage Museum, Casa de Shenandoah estate, and Neon Museum with its neon sign graveyard. Other film locations of note include the High Roller ferris wheel, Harry Reid International Airport, Henderson Executive Airport, Nellis Air Force Base, Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Speedway, Allegiant Stadium, Wet‘n’Wild Las Vegas, Las Vegas Country Club, Oscar’s Steakhouse, Las Vegas Nevada LDS Temple, Guardian Angel Cathedral, Las Vegas Bunker, Lion Habitat Ranch, and Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health which was designed by Frank Gehry. The MSG Sphere is the world’s largest spherical structure. Crystals at CityCenter was designed by Daniel Libeskind. Las Vegas has hosted many productions including Jason Bourne (2016), The Hangover (2009), Iron Man (2008), Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998), Con Air (1997), Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), Clear and Present Danger (1994), Rain Man (1988), Godfather II (1974), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and Viva Las Vegas (1964).
Outside of Las Vegas you can find many beautiful desert locations.
Valley of Fire State Park is known for its ancient red sandstone formations and sand dunes. Transformers (2007), Con Air (1997), Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), Casino (1995), Star Trek: Generations (1994), The Good Son (1993), and Total Recall (1990) filmed at the Valley of Fire State Park.
Jean Dry Lake was filmed for The Hangover (2009), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998), and Casino (1995).
Red Rock Canyon was filmed for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998).
Gold Butte National Monument is known for its desert landscapes and rock structures.
The Emerald Cave, located on the Black Canyon part of the Colorado river is a spectacular location.
Copper Mountain Solar Facility is located on the beautiful El Dorado dry lake.
Area 51 is a highly classified United States Air Force facility located within the Nevada Test and Training Range.
Sedan nuclear crater at the Nevada Test Site is a nuclear test site.
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository is located in Yucca Mountain.
Hoover Dam and Lake Mead featured in Transformers (2007), and Into the Wild (2007).
Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge spans the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona.
The Nelson abandoned mining town is a popular location for photo shoots.
City is a land art sculpture by Michael Heizer.
Las Vegas is also the closest major city to access Utah’s Zion National Park.
Reno
Western Nevada is known for the cities of Reno, and Carson City. Lake Tahoe is known for its turquoise waters, pine forests, mountain roads, and beautiful homes.
Reno is famous for the glittering neon signs of its hotels and casinos including Cal Neva, Circus Circus, Harrah’s, Silver Legacy, Atlantis, Eldorado, Grand Sierra, The Peppermill, Nugget, and The Sands. Other Reno film locations of interest include the Reno Arch, National Bowling Stadium, National Automobile Museum, Nevada Museum of Art, Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, University of Nevada Reno campus, and several old style motels. Love Ranch (2010), Into the Wild (2007), Magnolia (1999), Kingpin (1996), Sister Act (1992), and Pink Cadillac (1989) filmed in Reno.
Carson City is the state capital. Film locations of note include the Nevada State Capitol Building, Bowers Mansion, and Nevada State Museum, and Lake Tahoe’s forested beaches with turquoise waters such as Sand Harbour Beach, Whale Beach, Chimney Beach, Secret Cove, Zephyr Cove, and Crystal Bay. The V&T Railroad has as an old steam train running between Carson City and Virginia City.
Nevada’s Lake Tahoe ski resorts include Diamond Peak Ski Resort, and Mt Rose.
Misery (1990) filmed in Genoa.
Burning Man takes place in the Black Rock Desert.
High Rock Canyon Wilderness is known for its rock structures.
Winnemucca Lake, located in Nixon, has the oldest known petroglyphs in North America.
Tonopah is a desert town known for the Clown Motel which is located next to an abandoned cemetery. The Mizpah Hotel is a unexpectedly opulent location. Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project is an extensive solar farm located near Tonopah.
The city of Lovelock is known for Lover’s Lock Plaza.
Lunar Crater National Natural Landmark is a volcanic field.
Naval Air Station Fallon was filmed for Top Gun (1986).
Nomadland (2020) filmed in Empire, and Fernley.
Nevada Northern Railway Museum is located in Ely.
US Route 50 is an infinity road through a desert landscape with a mountain backdrop.
Sand Mountain is an area of sand dunes near Fallon.
In the east of the state you can find the Great Basin National Park known for its ancient bristlecone pines, and Lehman Caves, and Wheeler Peak.
Also located in the east, Cathedral Gorge State Park is known for its dramatic rock spires.
Nevada Film Location Permits
Nevada law requires productions to be registered with the Nevada Film Office. Proof of insurance is required. You will need a Film Permit Application and a Film Location Permit. These are applied for with relevant city and county authorities. For locations outside of their jurisdictions (highways, national parks, etc.) additional permits may also be required. Many city and county location permits are free but this depends on the size and scope of the shoot. Permission to film on the Las Vegas Strip is organized with private owners of each hotel. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Nevada is the driest state in the US. Summers are hot and sunny. Winters are long and cold in the north, and short and mild in the south.
Las Vegas hosts many different events and conventions throughout the year.
• Electric Daisy Carnival takes place in Las Vegas Speedway in May,
• Burning Man takes place in the Black Rock Desert in September,
• Great Reno Balloon Race takes place in Reno in September,
• National Finals Rodeo takes place in the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada in December.
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.
Nevada Tax Incentives For Filming
Nevada offers qualifying productions a transferable tax credit of 12-25%. Visit the Nevada Film Office for more information.
Nevada Film Crew & Talent
Crew. Nevada has a small pool of local film crew. Los Angeles is a 6 hour drive away should you require additional crew.
Contact us if you are looking for a Las Vegas or Reno 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 Nevada.
Talent. The state’s population is predominately Caucasian, Latino and African American. Film characters associated with Nevada include casino entertainers, gamblers, cocktail waitresses, Elvis impersonators, burners, UFO enthusiasts, and cowboys.
Nevada Film Equipment
Equipment. Nevada has some standard grip, lighting and camera gear for hire. More specialized gear can be brought in from Los Angeles, located a 6 hour drive away.
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.
Nevada Studios & Post Production
Studios. Nevada has a larger studio facility and a few smaller ones.
Nevada Film-Friendly Accommodation
Please contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Las Vegas, Reno and other areas of Nevada.
Final Notes
Safety. Nevada is a very safe and reliable place for foreign productions to shoot. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Las Vegas! Catch a show. Indulge by the pool. Try your luck at the tables.
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 Nevada, please see below:
Hire Nevada Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Nevada, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Nevada, 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.
