Posted on July 8, 2019

BASTROP COUNTY CELEBRATES NEW FILM HOSPITALITY CAPITAL OF TEXAS DESIGNATION

BASTROP COUNTY, TEXAS – Bastrop County, with its film-friendly policies and “can-do” attitude, has been recognized by the State of Texas as the “Film Hospitality Capital of Texas.”

On Monday, July 8, the Bastrop County Commissioners Court was formally presented the designation by Chairman John Cyrier, State Representative for the five-county House District 17 and chairman of the Culture, Recreation, and Tourism Committee.

Film hospitality in Bastrop County has a rich history, with all three towns classified as “Film-Friendly” by the Texas Film Commission. Bastrop, Elgin, and Smithville have their own dedicated, volunteer-based film commissions who are willing to assist productions. Businesses and residents have long supported film productions throughout Bastrop County, including facilities belonging to LCRA, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the school districts of Bastrop County. New Republic Studios, a 200-acre creative campus spanning the Colorado River where film, TV, commercial, new media, AR/VR, and immersive media come together, also calls Bastrop County home.

With its varied terrains, three historic downtowns, and turn-of-the-century districts, welcoming businesses, friendly people and proximity to major cities in Texas, Bastrop County has been the film location of such iconic films as “Hope Floats,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “The Great Waldo Pepper,” and more recently “Tree of Life,” “Bernie,” “Angels Sing,” and “Transformers: Age of Extinction.”

The county is also a favorite for television including filming of “Friday Night Lights” and the “Fear the Walking Dead.”

Projects from small student films to major studio productions have chosen Bastrop County to enjoy our friendly nature and film hospitality.

Congratulation to Bastrop County – “Film Hospitality Capital of Texas”

Back row, from left: Commissioner Mark Meuth, Commissioner Clara Becket, County Judge Paul Pape, Commissioner Mel Hamner, and Commissioner Donna Snowden. Front Row: Steph Lewis, Film Alley Bastrop; Gena Carter, Elgin Chamber of Commerce President; Mindy Raymond, New Republic Studios President; Bastrop Mayor Connie Schroeder; (holding the resolution signed by Governor Greg Abbott) Chairman John Cyrier, House District 17 and Chairman of the Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee; (holding new logo) Adena Lewis, Bastrop County Tourism & Economic Development Director; Debbie Moore, Bastrop Film Commission; April Daniels, Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director; Skeeter Seward, Smithville Film Commission; Amy Miller, Elgin Community Development Director; Fran Hunter, Bastrop County Tourism & Economic Development; and Jonathan Smith, Arsenal Advertising.