Film Locations
In Butte, we are a community full of economic possibilities!
There’s an energy in Butte invigorating, strengthening, and inspiring innovation and entrepreneurism. We have a strong sense of culture and place, focused on advancing our community. Butte-Silver Bow is a community dedicated to bringing new enterprises and projects to life. When Governor Bullock incentivized the film industry in 2019, Butte knew this industry would find our community welcoming and ready to assist in any way, thus the birth of the Butte Film & Entertainment Committee (BFEC). The BFEC is a small well-connected group of professionals offering a one-source stop for film-related needs. We know your time is precious; the goal of the BFEC is to make it easy for film projects to conduct business in our community and the surrounding area.
We look forward to hearing from you and welcome your projects to the smallest-big town in Montana.
Who We Are
- Montana Studios
- Butte Local Development Corporation
- Butte Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Butte Chamber of Commerce
What We Do
No matter the size, the BFEC is eager to assist with all film-related projects, with an in-house location scout, film hub at Montana Studios, and connections to various organizations with a wide range of contacts and resources. We are here to bring your project to fruition.
Some of Our Services Include
- Assistance with Relocation
- Market Research & Development
- Location and Stage Scouting
- Equipment and Personnel Sourcing
- Permitting Assistance
- Coordinating Lodging & Accommodations
- Crew & Casting Assistance
BUTTE FILM & ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE — BFEC
JIM WARD
Butte Film & Entertainment Committee-BFEC
Community Coordinator & Location Scout
[email protected]
406-570-7200
MAUREEN PORTER
Montana Studios
Business Development – Butte Market Manager
[email protected]
406-552-3609
FILM PROJECTS IN BUTTE
Films and Shows
1923
Mickey and the Bear (2018)
Ballad of Lefty Brown (2017)
Dead 7 (2016)
Don’t Come Knocking (2005)
Return to Lonesome Dove (1993)
Heaven’s Gate (1980)
Recent Productions
1923
Paramount, 2022-2023 – This prequel to the popular “Yellowstone” series starring Kevin Costner, stars Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, Timothy Dalton among other stars to tell the Yellowstone story a generation before. Some of the series was shot in Butte, turning the Uptown area and Civic Center into a film set.
Father Stu, 2022
This biographical drama follows Father Stu’s influential life. Stars Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson and Jacki Weaver. This was partially filmed in Butte.
Ghosts of Devils Perch
Travel Channel, 2022 – Series follows Dave Schrader, Cindy Kaza and K.D. Stafford as they search for answers in Butte’s haunted past. The series was shot in Butte and features many local haunts.
Last Survivors
Vertical Entertainment, 2021 – Post apocalyptic suspense movie that stars Stephen Moyer, Drew Van Acker and Alicia Silverstone. The film was shot entirely in Butte.
Ghost Adventurers: Dumas Brothel
Travel Channel, 2016 – Zak Bagans and his team of paranormal investigators explore the Dumas Brothel in Uptown Butte.
Overview of filming locations
Butte offers everything from city-scapes to wide-open landscapes. Find treasures all year-round with distinct bright colors and snowy mountain-tops. The Highland Mountains and east-ridge of the Continental Divide surround the city of Butte, offering majestic views from the top or scenic shots from the valley. All less than 45 minutes from the city-center, you can truly shoot through multi-generations & textures in ONE location!
Benefits of Filming in Butte
UNIQUE LOCATIONS
At the turn of the century, Butte was one of the largest cities west of the Mississippi. Today, Butte’s colorful history can be seen in its ethnic neighborhoods, preserved Victorian uptown business district and stately mansions. Located virtually on the Continental Divide, surrounded by mountains, the Mile High City lies on some of the world’s richest mineral reserves. The outlying area features numerous ghost towns and abandoned mines.
FILM-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY
Butte has a long history of being an arts and entertainment community. The Mother Lode Theatre and many festivals through the summer, including the Covellite Film Festival, provide opportunities for the community to partake in theatrical performances. Butte has had many films, commercials, documentaries, and music videos filmed across its many background vignettes.
LOW COST OF LIVING
Butte has an average home sale price of $129,800. Prices of rental properties range from about $550 to $600 for a studio or 1-bedroom apartment. 2-4 bedroom homes range from about $750-$1,000. The Cost of Living Index estimates the relative price levels for consumer goods and services. When applied to wages and salaries, the result is a measure of relative purchasing power. The cost of living is 9% lower in Silver-Bow County than the U.S. average.
WORKFORCE READY
The low cost-of-living has made Butte an attractive arts community, where artists, film-makers, and more can master their talent at an affordable cost. The community has workforce experienced from film-making, production, audio, electrical, grip, and more. The BEDT can also assist with development of a training program to suit your needs with Career Futures, Montana Works, and Highlands College.
INEXPENSIVE FILMING COSTS
The community is excited to welcome filming projects and are willing to be a friendly helping hand whenever and wherever possible. Locations are easily facilitated and inexpensive. Filming permits or fees are not required unless to close county roads. Permits are required on National Forest Service land but can be obtained easily and without a fee, depending on the scope of the project.
Local & State Film Incentives
Montana Economic Development Industry Advancement (Media) Act
The MEDIA Act provides for a 20% production expenditure tax credit, with additional components that can increase the transferable credit to a maximum of 35% of total base film production investment.
Those add-on incentives can include:
- 25% of compensation for Montana resident crews
- 15% of compensation for non-Montana resident crew
- 30% of compensation paid to students
- 20% of above the line compensation per production or television series
- season, with ceiling
- 15% of compensation paid to actors
- 10% of payments to Montana colleges or universities
- 10% of all in-studio facility and equipment rental expenditures
- 5% of expenditures in a high poverty county
- 25% of post-production wages (Not effective until 2021)
- 5% for Montana screen credit
ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES
Underserved Credit Area
Silver-Bow County qualifies for the additional Underserved Area Credit.
Local Incentives & Grants
Butte-Silver Bow has incentives and grants dependent on the scope of project. The BFEC will assist with any information.
PRODUCTION SERVICES IN BUTTE
TRAVEL
Bert Mooney Airport: Serviced by Delta 2 times a day.
I-90: East to West Coast interstate travel connecting Butte to Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee,
New York & Boston I-15: North to South traveI from Mexico to Canada connecting Butte from Calgary, Canada, Great Falls, Helena, Salt Lake, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
PRODUCTION SPACE & STAGES
Montana Studios: 40 E. Broadway | 406.203.5520
SMT Staging: 3941 Wynne Ave. | 406.494.7598
Covellite Theatre: 2150 W Broadway St. | [email protected]
Mother Lode Theatre: 316 W Park St. | 406.723.3602
Rental
Grip & Lighting
- Filmlites Montana: 6465 River Rd. Bozeman MT. | 406.587.0226
Car Rental
- Enterprise: Enterprise Customer Service 3825 Harrison Ave. | 406.494.1900
- Budget: William Tasker, Manager Avis Agency Operator, 111 Airport Road | 918.361.7468
- Avis: William Tasker, Manager Avis Agency Operator, 111 Airport Road | 406.494.3131
- Hertz: Marty Struznik, Owner.101 Airport Road | 406.782.1054
Truck Rental
- U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer: 5200 Harrison Ave. | 406.494.7561
Passenger: Van & Bus
- Tucker Transportation: 503 Centennial Ave. | 406.723.4623
BUILDING SUPPLIES
Equipment Rental
- Sun Rental Center: 400 E. Front St. | 406.723.4368
- Big Sky Rental: 815 E 2nd St. | 406.782.2237
- Western States Cat Rental: 4005 Harrison Ave. | 406.494.2710
- Butte Equipment Center: 3900 Harrison Ave. | 406.533.7380
Lumber /Hardware
- Triple S Building Center: I00 Front St. | 406.496.3900
- Probuild: 2805 Lexington Ave. | 406.494.7600
- Northwest Pipe Fittings: 190 I Meadowlark In. | 406.494.2120
- True Value: 1301 Harrison Ave. | 406.723.7944
- Ace Hardware: 1839 Harrison Ave | 406.723.3570
- Murdochs: 3939 Harrison Ave. | 406.494.6188
Fabrication
- Hawe Steel Design: 1112 S. Arizona St. | 406.782.4707
- Continental Steel: 1400 E 2nd St. | 406.782.3922
- JK Fabrication & Supply: 100 N Parkmont | 406.494.9500
- SeaCast Montana: 119800 Rick Jones | 406.496.3331
PROPS & WARDROBE
Wardrobe
- Rediscoveries Vintage Clothing: 83 East Park | 406.723.2176
- Orphan Girl Theatre: 315 W. Park St. | 406.782.5657
- Mother Lode Theatre: 316 W. Park St. | 406.723.3602
- NU2U: 1600 Harrison Ave. | 406.494.0140
- Hemmingbird Alterations & Consignment Store: 7 S. Montana St. | 406.491.4060
- Sassy Consignment & Sales: 19 W. Broadway | 406.782.5134
Props
- Rediscoveries Vintage Clothing: 83 East Park, | 406.723.2176
- Broadway Antiques: 45 W Broadway St. | 406.723.4270
- Beautiful Things on Broadway: 27 W. Broadway | 406.697.1500
- BSW Thrift Store: 2310 Cobban St. | 406.723.2309
- Butte Goodwill Store: 3703 Harrison Ave. | 406.533.0021
- Copper King Mansion: 219 W. Granite St. | [email protected]
- Clark Chateau: 321 W. Broadway St. | 406.565.5600
