Media & Film Production in Texas
Information
The region is currently undergoing a massive infrastructure expansion, aiming to become a "Texas alternative to Hollywood". Bastrop County has been coined by the Texas Legislature as the "film friendly capital of Texas ". Another notable point to investors is that the region is a designated media production zone, providing sales tax exemptions for the construction of production facilities.
204 Studios: Movie studio: A 546-acre, state-of-the-art facility along the Colorado River. It is projected to feature nearly 500,000 square feet of studio space and is expected to be fully operational by the second quarter of 2026. It follows a "film-play-stay" concept with on-site residences for crews.
Spyderwood: Located on FM 969, it is the first film studio built in Bastrop County.
Wyldwood Studios: A $100 million, 75-acre development backed by actor Zachary Levi. Construction is expected to break ground soon, with a projected opening in 2027.
Film Friendly Designations
- Bastrop County is a Film Friendly Texas community, a certification managed by the Texas Film Commission.
- Smithville: In 2008, it became the first town in Texas to receive this designation.
Local Resources: The Visit Film Bastrop County initiative helps filmmakers access local crews, talent, and diverse locations.
Notable Films & TV Shows
- Well over 120 productions have been filmed across Bastrop County, utilizing its historic architecture and the Lost Pines Forest.
- Production The Texas Chain Saw Massacre(1974)
- The iconic "Gas Station" (now a BBQ joint and fan destination)
- Hope Floats (1998)
- Historic homes in SmithvilleBernie (2011)
- Bastrop County Courthouse and JailFriday the 13th (2009)
- Lake Bastrop (serving as Crystal Lake)
- Boyhood (2014)
- Lost Pines Forest at Bastrop State Park
- Fear the Walking Dead
