Why Houston is one of the best places for actors in the South
In the South, many actors and production companies are making the move from their hometowns to Houston,
due to the high volume of auditions and productions currently being filmed in and around the city.
Not only are casting calls posted nearly every day in Houston, but the city offers a vibrant and active acting scene.
In addition, film projects shooting in the greater Houston area are eligible for a state incentive of between 5% and 20% of eligible Texas spending,
which has made Houston a lot more alluring as a filming location in recent years.
The city boasts iconic filming locations such as Minute Maid Park, Space Center Houston, Tranquility Park and Miller Outdoor Theater, making it a hotspot for location scouts.
There are countless landmarks ideal for production companies wanting to film a modern TV drama based in a multicultural and contemporary North American city.
Houston is also a more affordable city for actors to call home, in comparison to LA and NYC.
The average monthly rent for an apartment in Houston is $1,324, whereas in LA it is 110% higher at $2,786 per month,
and the average apartment in Queens, NY costs $2,798 per month. Source: [Rentcafe]
Food costs are considerably lower in Houston than in the better-known industry hubs of Los Angeles and New York City. Source:[Rentcafe]
It’s worth noting that one additional thing you will need when moving to Houston is a car. The city is enormous, and public transport is not as frequent if you decide to live in the suburbs.
However, due to the city’s vast size, there is plenty of greenspace – over 50,000 acres of park land to be exact!
It’s not just the amount of acting work and cost of living that makes Houston so appealing to actors.
Famed for its Southern charm and bustling nightlife, Houston is also a melting pot of cultures,
with reportedly over 145 languages spoken in the city, making it easier to integrate as a newcomer.
Four quick facts about the Houston film industry:
* Due to Houston’s long stretches of clear skies and warm temperatures, the city is a popular choice for reliable weather when filming.
* Houston has been used as a filming location for hundreds of blockbusters including, Apollo 13, Tree of Life, Boyhood and Evening Star.
* Houston’s city skyline is one of the most iconic in the whole of North America.
* The hit Netflix TV series Mo is based in Houston and has been renewed for a second season.
Notable movies and TV shows filmed in Houston:
* The Martian
* Prison Break
* Armageddon
* Transformers: Dark of the Moon
