FILMING IN BUTTE, MONTANA.

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
jim64ward@gmail.com
406-570-7200

MAUREEN PORTER

Montana Studios
Business Development – Butte Market Manager
maureenp@montanastudios.com
406-552-3609

MARIA POCHERVINA

Butte Convention & Visitors Bureau Director
mariap@buttecvb.com
406-723-3177

FILM PROJECTS IN BUTTE

Films & Shows

FILMS & SHOWS

Heaven's Gate (1980)

Heaven’s Gate (1980)

Don't Come Knocking (2005)

Don’t Come Knocking (2005)

Return to Lonesome Dove (1993)

Return to Lonesome Dove (1993)

Mickey and the Bear (2018)

Mickey and the Bear (2018)

Dead 7 (2016)

Dead 7 (2016)

Ballad of Lefty Brown (2017)

Ballad of Lefty Brown (2017)

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.

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.

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.

Ghost Adventurers: Dumas Brothel

Travel Channel, 2016 – Zak Bagans and his team of paranormal investigators explore the Dumas Brothel in Uptown Butte.

Expanded list of films and TV shot in Butte can be found here.

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!

LOCATIONS > Abandoned & Cabins/Ranch House

LAWYER OFFICES

NICHOLSON CABIN

LOCATIONS > Businesses, Bars, Cafes, Hotels etc.

51 BELOW-MINERS HOTEL

BOBS SPEAKEASY

CAVALIER LOUNGE

COPPER BOWL ENTERTAINMENT CLUB

DUMAS BROTHEL

FINLEN HOTEL

HEADFRAMER SPIRITS DISTILLERY

M&M BAR CAFÉ

MALONEYS IRISH PUB

PIONEER ROOM HEADFRAME

LOCATIONS > Landscapes

LOCATIONS > Mining

LOCATIONS > Unique, Churches Theatres etc.

MOTHER LODE MASONS THEATER

STAGES > Support Services

MONTANA STUDIO 40 EAST LOCATION

MONTANA STUDIO PRODUCTION SPACE

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
RENTALS
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

BUILDING SUPPLIES

Equipment Rental

Lumber /Hardware

Fabrication

PROPS & WARDROBE
Wardrobe

Props

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