Martin Lisius has produced short films, business promos and weather footage for roughly 40 years in Arlington. In that time, the filmmaker hasn’t seen many large-scale film projects make their way to his hometown.
He and other local filmmakers are optimistic that those major opportunities are on the horizon.
The Arlington, TX Film Commission launched last week as the city’s official resource for film, television, digital media and commercial productions. The agency operates as a partnership of the city, Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau and Arlington Economic Development Corp.
The commission works to ensure new projects receive permitting support, location scouting, hospitality, logistics and access to local film companies. The Texas Film Commission’s directory lists Arlington media professionals and citywide filming locations, including the entertainment district, public parks, University of Texas at Arlington and model homes.
“I think you’ll see the use of more local production companies and talent to support those activities,” said Lisius, whose business Prairie Pictures is included in the directory for camera, directorial, post-production, production and aviation services. “I’d certainly like to see some Taylor (Sheridan) activity come over to Arlington.”
Jeremy Thomas, a city spokesperson, said the commission builds on Arlington’s “strong foundation” for film. The Texas Film Commission designated the city a Film Friendly Texas Community in 2016.
“It was almost like a natural next step that really strengthens our ability to raise Arlington’s visibility on a global stage,” he said. “We’re centrally located, and we have an incredible variety of locations.”
Fort Worth and Dallas have operated similar film commissions for years.
Arlington’s larger push into the industry also comes after last year’s legislative session, where Texas lawmakers committed $1.5 billion toward film tax incentives over the next decade. The state’s investment was supported by famous Texan actors like Matthew McConaughey and Fort Worth’s Sheridan, creator of hit TV shows “Yellowstone” and “Landman.”
The Arlington film commission manages all commercial filming applications for city-owned and -operated spaces. The agency connects productions to other local public and private facilities.
Interested in filming your project in Arlington?
Applications for city-owned spaces can be submitted through the free online permitting tool FilmApp.
Major projects that have been filmed within city limits include “Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams” at Six Flags Over Texas and 1991’s “JFK” at UT Arlington.
The film industry had a $655 million impact on Fort Worth from 2016 to 2023, according to a staff report presented to Arlington officials last year.
Andy Wallace, owner of Wallace Media, sees opportunity for city filmmakers to grow their visibility by renting gear to out-of-state crews. Flying in studio equipment is expensive, and he and other local businesses can offer gear at a “competitive rate.”
“Growing companies are flying in people from California and New York and it’s like ‘you got somebody in your backyard with the same equipment in your reach of people,’” said Wallace, who offers camera, directorial, post-production and production services.
Beyond the commission, Lisius hopes to see the city grow media investment by launching or sponsoring an Arlington-based film festival and creating opportunities for students pursuing film careers.
An example for Arlington sits to the west. Fort Worth’s Film Commission is the official partner of the annual Lone Star Film Festival. The agency also partners with Tarrant County College and 101 Studios, the entertainment company behind Sheridan’s shows, for a film certification program.
“I don’t see a lot of creativity out of Arlington over the decades, but with something like this, you do have a bunch of smart people sitting around coming up with ideas,” Lisius said. “If you really want it to work well, you got to be a trendsetter.”
Thomas acknowledged the suggestions, and said the city is open to connecting with local businesses on ways to grow its industry reach.
“I don’t think this is a one-way street, but a two-way highway in communication,” he said. “We want to hear from our creative community and understand their needs to be able to grow this film commission.”
David Moreno is the arts and culture reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or @davidmreports.
The Fort Worth Report’s arts and culture coverage is supported in part by the Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation and the Virginia Hobbs Charitable Trust. At the Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy.
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