Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Wisconsin
For an introduction to shooting in Wisconsin 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.
Wisconsin Film Locations
Wisconsin is a midwestern state that has over 15000 lakes, including Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. It is a beautiful state with thousands of miles of rivers and streams, lake islands, sandstone cliffs, sandy beaches, dense forests, waterfalls, prairies, woodlands, and rolling hills. Wisconsin’s picturesque small towns look like they’re right out of a Normal Rockwell painting. The state is home to several buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Agricultural film locations include cranberry bogs, dairy farms, corn fields, apple orchards, and strawberry farms. Manufacturing also centres around processing of agricultural products. Commercial fishing boats are available for filming. Energy locations include coal and gas fired power plants, nuclear power plants, hydroelectric dams, as well as wind and solar farms.
Productions that have filmed in Wisconsin include Bridesmaids (2011), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), Public Enemies (2009), Amityville Horror (2005), and The Blues Brothers (1980).
Film locations can be divided into the following regions:
Southeast Wisconsin
Milwaukee, located on Lake Michigan, is Wisconsin’s largest city.
Milwaukee historic buildings of note include Milwaukee City Hall, Mackie Building, Mitchell Building, Pfister Hotel, Wisconsin Gas Building, Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Milwaukee Public Library, and Pabst Mansion.
Religious locations include Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, St Stanislaus Catholic Church, Basilica of St Josaphat, Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, and Tripoli Shrine Temple.
Museums of note include the contemporary Milwaukee Art Museum designed by Santiago Calatrava, Milwaukee Public Museum, Harley-Davidson Museum, Grohmann Museum, and Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum.
Entertainment venues include Pabst Theater, Marcus Center, Miller High Life Theatre, The Rave, Turner Hall, Northern Lights Theater, Baumgartner Center for Dance, American Family Field, and Fiserv Forum.
Marquette University buildings of note include Johnston Hall, Marquette Hall, Haggerty Museum of Art, and Gesu Church.
Milwaukee Public Market is the main market.
Breweries of note include the Lakefront Brewery, Miller Brewery, and Milwaukee Brewing Company.
Parks of note include Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, Grant Park, and Lake Park.
Transport locations include Marquette Interchange, Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge, Milwaukee Intermodal Station, and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.
Lighthouses include North Point Lighthouse, and the offshore Milwaukee Breakwater lighthouse.
Outside of Milwaukee, film locations in Southeast Wisconsin include:
Racine is known for Racine Art Museum, Windpoint Lighthouse, and Johnson Wax Headquarters designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Museum of Wisconsin Art is located in West Bend.
Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians is a Roman Catholic hilltop shrine located in Erin.
Kenosha is located in this part of the state.
Picturesque towns of note include Cedarburg, and Geneva Lake.
Yerkes Observatory is located in Williams Bay.
Southwest Wisconsin
Madison is the state capital, and second largest city in Wisconsin. It is known for its lakes, parks, and laid back cafe culture.
Wisconsin State Capitol building is an impressive structure.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens is a beautiful film location.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art was designed by César Pelli.
Frank Lloyd Wright designed locations include Monona Terrace, Herbert and Katherine Jacobs First House, and First Unitarian Society of Madison.
University of Wisconsin buildings of note include Bascom Hall, Memorial Union, Agriculture Hall, Chazen Museum of Art, University of Wisconsin Armory, Washburn Observatory, Camp Randall Stadium, and Kohl Center.
Outside of Madison, film locations in Southwest Wisconsin include:
Taliesin, located near Spring Green, is designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Cascade Mountain Ski Resort is located in Portage.
Picturesque towns of note include Mineral Point, New Glarus, and Baraboo.
Nature parks of note include Devil’s Lake State Park, Blue Mounds State Park, Mirror Lake State Park, and Governor Dodge State Park.
Northeast Wisconsin
Green Bay is home to Lambeau Field, National Railroad Museum, and Green Bay Botanical Garden.
Door County has many beautiful lakeside nature locations including Rock Island State Park, Newport State Park, Peninsula State Park, Cana Island Lighthouse, Cave Point County Park, and Potawatomi State Park.
Door County Maritime Museum, located in Sturgeon Bay, has a lighthouse and old tugboat available for film projects.
Point Beach Nuclear Plant is a nuclear power plant located in Red Wing.
EAA Aviation Museum is located in Oshkosh.
Fish Creek is a picturesque town.
Kewaunee Pierhead lighthouse is a unique film location.
High Cliff State Park is located in this part of the state.
North Central Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dells is known for its many water parks and entertainment centres.
Granite Peak Ski Resort is located in Rib Mountain State Park.
Northwest Wisconsin
Dells Mill in Augusta is a beautiful film location.
Picturesque towns of note include Ashland, Bayfield, and Stockholm.
Nature parks of note include Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Copper Falls State Park, Willow River State Park, Pattison State Park, and Perrot State Park.
Wisconsin Film Location Permits
No general permits required for filming in Wisconsin and location fees are typically modest. Special Events Permits and proof of insurance are required for closing streets. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Wisconsin summers are warm and winters very cold and snowy. September and October have the least amount of rainfall and are the best months for fall colors.
Events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:
• Brat Fest takes place in Madison in May.
• Blue Ox Music Festival takes place in Eau Claire in June.
• Summerfest takes place in Milwaukee in July.
• Rock Fest takes place in Cadott in July.
• Hodag Country Festival takes place in Oneida in July.
• Country Thunder takes place in Twin Lakes in July.
• Milwaukee Irish Fest in August.
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.
Wisconsin Tax Incentives For Filming
Wisconsin does not offer a production incentive program at this time.
Wisconsin Film Crew & Talent
Crew. Wisconsin has a small pool of local film crew.
Contact us if you are looking for a Milwaukee or Madison 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 Wisconsin.
Talent. The local population is predominately Caucasian. Film characters one might associate with Wisconsin include dairy farmers, cheeseheads, hunters, and beer brewers.
Wisconsin Film Equipment
Equipment. Wisconsin offers standard camera, grip, and lighting equipment 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.
Wisconsin Film-Friendly Accommodation
Please contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Milwaukee, Madison and other areas of Wisconsin.
Final Notes
Safety. Wisconsin is a very safe and reliable place for foreign productions to shoot. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Wisconsin is famous for its beer and cheese.
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 Wisconsin, please see below:
Hire Wisconsin Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Wisconsin, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Wisconsin, 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.
