Oregon 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 Oregon? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.

Filming in Oregon

For an introduction to shooting in Oregon 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.

Oregon Film Locations

Oregon is a Pacific Northwest state known for its variety of snow-covered mountains, ancient forests, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, rugged coastline, deserted beaches, lighthouses, sand dunes, beautiful winding roads, tunnels, bridges, wineries, breweries, dams, railroads, small town America looks, mansions and contemporary homes in beautiful forested settings. Cities of note include Portland, Salem, and Eugene.

Agricultural film locations include cattle ranches, as well as farms that produce dairy products, wheat, potatoes, barley, pears, apples, wine grapes, hazelnuts, peppermint, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, and Christmas tree farms. Lumber mills are available for filming. Commercial fishing boats are also available for filming. Portland is known for its high-tech manufacturing industry. Energy locations include natural gas fired power plants, hydroelectric dams, and wind farms.

Oregon has hosted a long list of productions including Significant Other (2022), Pig (2021), Doctor Sleep (2019), Portlandia (2011-2018), Grimm (2011-2017), Green Room (2015), Wild (2014), Twilight (2008), Into The Wild (2007), The Ring (2002), Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995), My Own Private Idaho (1991), Point Break (1991), Stand by Me (1986), The Goonies (1985), Just Before Dawn (1981), The Shinning (1980), and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975).

Film locations can be divided into the following regions:

Western Oregon

From the Pacific Coast to the Cascade Mountains, Western Oregon is known for its beautiful forest, mountain, and coastal locations.

Salem, located in the Willamette Valley, is the state capital. Film locations include the Oregon State Capitol building, Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health, and Oregon Garden. Enchanted Forest is a unique homemade amusement park. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) filmed Oregon State Hospital.

Portland, located on the Columbia and Willamette rivers, is the state’s largest city. The snow-capped Mount Hood can be seen in the distance. Portland is known for its parks, bridges, quirky neighbourhoods, farm-to-table restaurants, microbreweries, and coffeehouses. Downtown Portland offers a business district with office towers, a vibrant Chinatown, and the modern converted-warehouse neighbourhood, the Pearl District. Other neighbourhoods of note include Northwest Portland, Nob Hill, Hawthorne, Division, Laurelhurst, and Mississippi. Forest Park is the largest wilderness park in the United States that is within city limits. Other Portland parks include Washington Park, Portland Japanese Garden designed by Kengo Kuma, Lan Su Chinese Garden, Mt Tabor Park, Kelley Point Park, Powell Butte Nature Park, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Laurelhurst Park, Keller Fountain Park, Peninsula Park, and Council Crest Park. The Willamette River has ten bridges that can be opened for boat traffic. Portland sport venues include Providence Park, Moda Center, Portland International Raceway, The Hangar at Oaks Amusement Park, and Burnside Skatepark. Other film locations of note include Portland City Hall, Pioneer Courthouse, Union Station, United States National Bank Building, Portland Art Museum, Oregon Museum Of Science And Industry, Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum, Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, World Forestry Center, Museum of Contemporary Craft, Oregon Rail Heritage Center, Pittock Mansion, M1 Residence, Portland Aerial Tram, Powell’s City of Books, Shanghai tunnels, Oregon Convention Center, Portland LDS Temple, Benson Hotel, Paul Bunyan Statue, Hollywood Theatre, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Keller Auditorium, and Portland shipping port. Pig (2021), Portlandia (2011-2018), Grimm (2011-2017), Green Room (2015), Wild (2014), Twilight (2008), Into The Wild (2007), Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995), and My Own Private Idaho (1991) filmed in Portland.

The Columbia River Gorge includes Bonneville Dam, Dalles Dam, Bridge of the Gods, Multnomah Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Triple Falls, and Oneonta Gorge Falls. The deep canyon experiences a wind tunnel effect making it a popular destination for windsurfing and kiteboarding. Multnomah Falls were filmed for Twilight (2008). Bridal Veil Falls were filmed for The Ring (2002). Bridge of the Gods was filmed for Wild (2014).

Mount Hood National Forest is a vast area of forested mountains, lakes and streams. The Timberline Lodge, located on Mount Hood, featured as the exteriors of the Overlook Hotel in The Shinning (1980), and Doctor Sleep (2019). Bagby Hot Springs are natural hot springs with hollowed out cedar log tubs set in an ancient forest. Ski resorts include Mount Hood Meadows, and Mount Hood Skibowl. Green Room (2015), Wild (2014), and Into The Wild (2007) filmed in Mount Hood National Forest.

Willamette National Forest includes the Cascade Mountain Range, forests, mountain lakes, and waterfalls such as Diamond Creek Falls, Salt Creek Falls, and Proxy Falls. Wilderness areas include Diamond Peak Wilderness, Middle Santiam Wilderness, Menagerie Wilderness, Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Mount Washington Wilderness, Three Sisters Wilderness, and Waldo Lake Wilderness.

Willamette Falls are a large waterfall on the Willamette River.

Twilight (2008) filmed Vernonia as the town of Forks. St Helens doubled for Port Angeles. Other towns near Portland that were filmed for Twilight (2008) include Oregon City, and Damascus.

Oxbow Regional Park also featured in Twilight (2008).

Into The Wild (2007) filmed in Beaverton.

George Fox University campus in Newberg was also filmed for Into The Wild (2007).

The Gordon House, located in Silverton, was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Oregon State University campus is located in Corvallis. Buildings of note include Memorial Union, Weatherford Hall, Gill Coliseum, and Reser Stadium.

Silver Falls State Park offers several impressive waterfalls including the stunning South Falls. Significant Other (2022), Twilight (2008), and Just Before Dawn (1981) filmed in Silver Falls State Park.

Tillamook Air Museum is housed in a former US Navy blimp hangar.

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, located in McMinnville, is home to Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose.

Eugene film locations include the Hult Center For The Performing Arts, Shelton McMurphey Johnson House, and Oregon Air and Space Museum. University of Oregon campus buildings of note include the Johnson Hall Administrative Building, Museum of Natural and Cultural History, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Autzen Stadium, and Hayward Field which hosted the 2022 IAAF World Athletics Championships.

Stand by Me (1986) filmed in Brownsville, Cottage Grove, Veneta, Eugene, Franklin, and Junction City.

Ashland is a city in southern Oregon known for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Wild (2014) filmed in Ashland.

Crater Lake National Park offers spectacular otherworldly forest and lake locations. Wild (2014) filmed in Crater Lake National Park.

Fremont-Winema National Forest includes the Gearhart Mountain Wilderness, Mount Thielsen Wilderness, Mountain Lakes Wilderness, and Sky Lakes Wilderness.

Umpqua National Forest includes the Boulder Creek, Rogue-Umpqua Divide, and Mount Thielsen.

Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest includes the Copper Salmon Wilderness, Grassy Knob Wilderness, Kalmiopsis Wilderness, Red Buttes Wilderness, Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness, Siskiyou Wilderness, Sky Lakes Wilderness, and Wild Rogue Wilderness.

Toketee Falls are located on the North Umpqua River.

Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve is located near Cave Junction.

Other ski resorts in this area include Mount Ashland Ski Area, Willamette Pass Ski Area, and Hoodoo Ski Area.

Pacific Crest Trail runs through the state.

Heading toward the coast:

Astoria is located on the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean. Green Room (2015), Into The Wild (2007), and The Goonies (1985) filmed in Astoria.

Cannon Beach, and Indian Beach in Ecola State Park were filmed for Twilight (2008), The Goonies (1985), and Point Break (1991) which doubled Indian Beach for Australia’s famous Bells Beach.

Wheeler also doubled for Australia’s Torquay in Point Break (1991).

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) filmed the fishing harbour in Depoe Bay.

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is located on the Pacific Coast.

Sea Lion Caves is a unique location near Florence.

Thor’s Well is a coastal sinkhole.

Siuslaw National Forest includes the Drift Creek Wilderness, Cummins Creek Wilderness, and Rock Creek Wilderness.

Other coastal parks of note include Oswald West State Park, Fort Stevens State Park, Harris Beach State Park, Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area, Sunset Bay State Park, Nehalem Bay State Park, Shore Acres State Park, and Cape Lookout State Park.

Lighthouses of note include Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, Coquille River Lighthouse, Heceta Head Lighthouse, Umpqua River Lighthouse, Cape Meares Lighthouse, Cape Arago Lighthouse, and Cape Blanco Lighthouse. Yaquina Head Lighthouse was filmed for The Ring (2002).

Eastern Oregon

Locations east of the Cascade Mountains are predominately arid. Distances are vast and film resources are scarce.

The city of Bend is the gateway to filming in eastern Oregon. Bend is located on the Deschutes River, surrounded by volcanoes, alpine lakes, and wilderness areas. The city is home to the world’s last Blockbuster Video store. Bend is known for its outdoor culture especially its proximity to mountain biking and rock climbing locations. It is possible to surf on the Deschutes River. Nearby locations include Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Tumalo Falls, Smith Rock State Park, and Mt Bachelor ski resort. Wild (2014) filmed Smith Rock State Park, and Newberry National Volcanic Monument.

Deschutes National Forest includes the Diamond Peak Wilderness, Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Mount Thielsen Wilderness, Mount Washington Wilderness, and Three Sisters Wilderness.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument includes the Painted Hills, Sheep Rock, and Clarno.

Oregon Badlands Wilderness is known for its rock formations, dry river canyons, ancient Juniper trees, and sagebrush.

Malheur National Forest includes Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, and Monument Rock Wilderness.

Ochoco National Forest includes Mill Creek Wilderness, Bridge Creek Wilderness, and Black Canyon Wilderness.

Umatilla National Forest includes the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, North Fork John Day Wilderness, and North Fork Umatilla Wilderness.

Wallowa-Whitman National Forest includes Eagle Cap Wilderness, Hells Canyon Wilderness, Monument Rock Wilderness, and North Fork John Day Wilderness.

Other nature locations of interest in Eastern Oregon include Fort Rock, Alvord Desert, Cottonwood Canyon State Park, Christmas Valley Sand Dunes, Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Lake Owyhee State Park, and Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Washington Family Ranch, located in Wasco County, was once the religious community of Rajneeshpuram.

Shepherds Flat Wind Farm in eastern Oregon is one of the largest wind farms in the world.

Oregon Film Location Permits

City of Portland / Portland Parks has a two-tier permit system:

1. A “B-roll” permit for crews of 4 and under with no parking or clearance for a maximum of 10 locations per day. Ideal for crews with limited vehicles who don’t mind fending for themselves parking-wise and don’t need any sort of control.

2. A regular filming permit for all other shoots. All locations need to be specified and approved by the City of Portland. For crews of 5 and up and for any street crew parking, clearance and traffic control, sidewalk or street.

Both require a minimum of 3 days notice to process. Portland police are required for traffic control in the core areas and they usually need 4-5 days notice to attach officers. Shutting city streets is best done on a Sunday. Permitting the Pearl District requires extra lead time.

Outside of Portland permitting times generally range from 2-14 days. The Columbia River Gorge area takes about 10 days to permit depending on the size and scope of the project. Filming in Oregon’s state parks is permit-fee-free.

For more location specific information, please contact us.

When To Shoot?

Portland has mild and very rainy winters and warm, pleasant summers. East of the Cascade Mountain range is semi-arid. Some mountains are snow covered throughout the year.

Portland’s Saturday Market is a popular attraction.

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.

Oregon Tax Incentives For Filming

Oregon offers qualifying productions a 20% cash rebate on Oregon-based goods and services, and an additional cash payment of up to 16.2% of wages paid to production personnel. Oregon’s doesn’t have any sales tax on goods and services.

Oregon Film Crew & Talent

Crew. Portland has a good pool of local crew about three teams deep.

Contact us if you are looking for a Portland, Eugene or Bend 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 Oregon.

Talent. The state’s population is predominately Caucasian. Film characters synonymous with the state include Portland hipsters, coffee connoisseurs, craft beer brewers, local produce farmers, outdoorsy types, and lumberjacks.

Oregon Film Equipment

Equipment. Portland has all of the 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.

Oregon Studios & Post Production

Studios. Oregon has several studios to choose from.

Oregon Film-Friendly Accommodation

Please contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Portland, Eugene, Bend and other areas of Oregon.

Final Notes

Safety. Oregon is a very safe and reliable place for foreign productions to shoot. See here for up to date travel advice.

Down Time. Portland has some excellent farm-to-table restaurants, micro-breweries and distilleries. Voodoo Donut is a favourite for a snack.

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 Oregon, please see below:

Hire Oregon Production Support & Shooting Crew

If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Oregon, please contact us.

If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Oregon, 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.