ProductionHub has a few good location scouts to begin with
Okay, so we think Peerspace is the best option for finding a variety of unique production locations at amazing prices. However, we can’t fail to mention your other option.
For a big ‘ol list of location scout profiles, mosey on over to ProductionHub, which keeps a huge database of personnel of all types. This includes vendors, crew, cameramen, and everything else under the sun.
Dallas is underrepresented on their lists, but we’ll include ProductionHub here regardless because it’s a useful enough tool that every filmmaker ought to be familiar with it.
Here are a few of our favorite Dallas location scouts
If you want to just call someone up, tell them what you need, and let them take care of the rest, check out these three location scouts.
At Location
At Location is owned by Michelle and Elliot Hawkes, seasoned location scouts in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. One of the nicer features of their site is a gallery of locations they’ve used before and have relationships with. It will give you a good idea of the sort of places they have access to, as well as their creative eye.
Kim Dillinger Davis
Kim Dillinger Davis is another Dallas location scout you should check out. She’s been in the business a long time and has worked on hundreds of TV commercials, as well as over 45 film and television projects.
The Texas Film Commission
The good people at The Texas Film Commission exist to facilitate the creation of movies in their state. In other words, it’s literally their job to help you shoot in Texas. They want to make things as easy as possible for you, and it’s in their best interest that your production is a smash hit.
Their location services are something like a step between hiring a private location scout and finding something online. Basically, their contact form asks for a variety of information about your production and the sort of locations you’re looking for. Then, they search a robust internal database to put together a package of possible locations for you. Better yet, since they’re part of the government, they can make staying legal and permitted much easier.
Don’t forget IMDB Pro
IMDB Pro is $150 a year, and if you’re a filmmaker it’s well worth the cost. Everyone associated with film projects is listed on IMDB Pro, from directors to caterers. And this, of course, includes location scouts.
Film and TV pros tend to be good about keeping their information up-to-date, luckily. So you’ll be able to get a bird’s eye view of their career and also see what they’re currently working on.
Other online resources for location scouting in Dallas
There’s really no shortage, is there? By now you’ve got a host of awesome options, but if you want to expand your search, there are two other online resources you should check out.
Scout Services
Scout Services is a DFW-based location agency. They’ll scout specific locations for you if you’d like, but essentially their model is that they maintain relationships with (and represent) many property owners in the Dallas area.
Their website contains a gallery of these properties. That way, you can browse at will and then get in touch if any catches your eye.
LocationsHub
The Texas Film Commission works closely with LocationsHub to help them keep their location listings up to date and accurate. The Texas Film Commission does suggest that they have access to more listings that aren’t on LocationsHub. However, if you just want to immediately click through and start browsing locations, LocationsHub is a good place to start.
It’s run by Reel-Scout, a well-regarded production company. It’s worth noting that LocationsHub isn’t a platform actually booking locations — it’s just a catalog. Each location will have its own contact person. In fact, it will be on you to reach out to them and negotiate an appropriate deal.
If you’re the type of person who likes to have that level of control and personal involvement, that might be perfect for you. If you’d like a simpler and more streamlined experience, look at something like Peerspace.
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