Florida Location Survival Guide

Tips for Finding Locations and Filming in The Sunshine State

Jun 4, 2007
Leslie C. Halpern

Florida Has Exotic Locations - Copyright 2007 Leslie C. Halpern

Filming on location in Florida has its own unique set of opportunities and challenges.

If there’s one guarantee for every location film shoot, it’s that something unexpected will happen. The weather can change suddenly; actors get called away for more lucrative assignments than yours; expensive, new equipment breaks; personalities clash and tempers flare; and a million other calamities might (or might not) occur.

Movie Film Locations in Florida

Florida remains a popular location for outdoor shoots. Just a few of the hundreds of films that have shot in The Sunshine State include Marley & Me (Fort Lauderdale), Days of Thunder (Daytona Beach), There’s Something About Mary (Miami), and True Lies (Key West). Florida has tropical beaches, theme parks, majestic Southern plantations, orange groves, Spanish Forts, Art Deco, big cities, small towns, jungles, and swamps. Parts of the state are uniquely Florida, while others can substitute for different parts of the country (Orlando was used as St. Louis in the comedy Parenthood, for instance).

Florida Weather Great for Location Filming

With nearly 365 sunny days a year, an average outdoor year-round temperature of 72 degrees, more than 1,000 freshwater and saltwater beaches and 8.9 million acres of the state’s land and water devoted to outdoor recreation, most filmmakers can find a unique location for their shoots without many problems.

The state has a network of nearly 50 camera-ready film offices located throughout Florida to help cut through the red tape. Liaisons at the film offices scout locations, act as production information clearinghouses, and offer one-stop permitting for location filming. Filmmakers can find information about individual film offices through The Governor’s Office of Film & Entertainment, which has incentives and grants, location resources, employment, labor and associations, production resources, and information about film schools, film festivals, and current shoots.

Florida Film Offices and the Permitting Process

Although a fee for filming in various municipalities or on private property may be required, most Florida film offices don’t charge for permits, which are used primarily for keeping track of film activity and estimating its economic impact. Filmmakers are responsible for footing the bill for clean-up, repair, shooting on certain beaches, construction of temporary structures or facades, off-duty security, street closings, and special events.

Tips for Keeping Cool in Florida

If you’re considering a Florida shoot for your next production, keep these tips in mind for keeping your cool (literally and figuratively) in The Sunshine State.

Safeguard your equipment for encounters with rain, sea water, salt water, and exposure to the sun. Equipment accidents can be quite costly in terms of lost money and lost time.
Bring a current map of the area. Many parts of Florida are experiencing enormous growth with its accompanying construction and road closings.
Carry a cooler with cold water. During the especially hot months of June, July, and August, place small damp towels in the cooler, too, for your neck and face.
Wear sunscreen any time you're going to be outdoors. Apply bug repellent when you plan to be in a grassy area or near standing water.
Be aware that Florida has brief afternoon showers nearly every day during the summer months. If you must have dry weather, consider shooting during the mornings only or during the other nine months.
Bring your own shade. Having a beach umbrella, tent, or tarp is always a good idea for outdoor shoots.
Exotic and interesting locations exist beyond the big cities, too. You can find almost any scene or location at one of Florida’s theme park attractions, but outside the cities you’ll also see a variety of strange and unusual areas for filming.
Trust the local film commissioners and location scouts for ideas. No one knows the land better than the locals.