Martin Lisius has produced short films, business promos and weather footage for roughly 40 years in Arlington. In that time, the filmmaker hasn\u2019t seen many large-scale film projects make their way to his hometown.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He and other local filmmakers are optimistic that those major opportunities are on the horizon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Arlington, TX Film Commission launched last week<\/a> as the city\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n The commission works to ensure new projects receive permitting support, location scouting, hospitality, logistics and access to local film companies. The Texas Film Commission\u2019s directory lists Arlington media professionals<\/a> and citywide filming locations<\/a>, including the entertainment district, public parks, University of Texas at Arlington and model homes.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI think you\u2019ll see the use of more local production companies and talent to support those activities,\u201d said Lisius, whose business Prairie Pictures is included in the directory for camera, directorial, post-production, production and aviation services. \u201cI\u2019d certainly like to see some Taylor (Sheridan) activity come over to Arlington.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Jeremy Thomas, a city spokesperson, said the commission builds on Arlington\u2019s \u201cstrong foundation\u201d for film. The Texas Film Commission designated the city a Film Friendly Texas Community<\/a> in 2016.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt was almost like a natural next step that really strengthens our ability to raise Arlington\u2019s visibility on a global stage,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re centrally located, and we have an incredible variety of locations.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Fort Worth and Dallas have operated similar film commissions for years.\u00a0<\/p>\n Arlington\u2019s larger push into the industry<\/a> also comes after last year\u2019s legislative session, where Texas lawmakers committed $1.5 billion toward film tax incentives<\/a> over the next decade. The state\u2019s investment was supported<\/a> by famous Texan actors like Matthew McConaughey and Fort Worth\u2019s Sheridan, creator of hit TV shows \u201cYellowstone\u201d and \u201cLandman.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Interested in filming your project in Arlington?<\/p>\n Applications for city-owned spaces can be submitted through the free online permitting tool FilmApp<\/a>.<\/p>\n Major projects that have been filmed within city limits include \u201cSpy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams\u201d at Six Flags Over Texas and 1991\u2019s \u201cJFK\u201d at UT Arlington.\u00a0<\/p>\n The film industry had a $655 million impact on Fort Worth from 2016 to 2023, according to a staff report<\/a> presented to Arlington officials last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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 \u201ccompetitive rate.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cGrowing companies are flying in people from California and New York and it\u2019s like \u2018you got somebody in your backyard with the same equipment in your reach of people,\u2019\u201d said Wallace, who offers camera, directorial, post-production and production services.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n An example for Arlington sits to the west. Fort Worth\u2019s Film Commission is the official partner<\/a> of the annual Lone Star Film Festival. The agency also partners with Tarrant County College and 101 Studios, the entertainment company behind Sheridan\u2019s shows, for a film certification program<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t 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,\u201d Lisius said. \u201cIf you really want it to work well, you got to be a trendsetter.\u201d<\/p>\n Thomas acknowledged the suggestions, and said the city is open to connecting with local businesses on ways to grow its industry reach.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think this is a one-way street, but a two-way highway in communication,\u201d he said. \u201cWe want to hear from our creative community and understand their needs to be able to grow this film commission.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n