Local Lenses, Open Streets: Madison’s Fortnight Outlook
Madison video production teams have a golden window from October 18 to 31, with new-film premieres, an active feature shoot, and a friction-free permit board all converging just as fall colors hit peak saturation.
Neighborhood Screens Take the Spotlight
Project Projection – Oct 22
Mills Folly Microcinema’s quarterly showcase returns with a 90-minute lineup of locally produced shorts at Arts + Literature Laboratory, 111 S. Livingston St. For directors, the program offers a first theatrical bow; for producers, it’s a live scouting reel of editors, composers, and VFX artists.
48 Hour Film Horror/Sci-Fi Project – Oct 25
After the mad-dash production weekend earlier this month, the completed “Wisconsin Thrillers” premiere in two blocks at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Oct 25 at Bartell Theatre. Audiences vote on awards, and organizers host a lobby mixer—ideal territory to poach crew for November shoots.
Permit & Production Cheat-Sheet
City Logistics
- One online Street-Use Permit covers closures, parking lanes, and drones; most small crews pay $0.
- No film closures posted through Oct 31, so arterial streets like East Washington and Willy Street stay open for drive-bys.
Parks & Photo
- Commercial shoots in city parks file a separate free form; only large events trigger rental fees
Rolling Cameras Around Town
A nostalgia-tinged coming-of-age feature is filming across Madison and southeastern Wisconsin through Oct 25, with casting calls seeking late-’90s-looking extras. Producers cite the state’s crisp autumn palette and Madison’s quick-turn permits as key reasons for choosing the city.
Film Office Mixer – Oct 30
Film Madison hosts its fall industry mixer at Cafe Coda, offering gear demos and a “crew wanted” bulletin board. Bring business cards; the last mixer filled three gaffer positions for a December doc.
What to Catch & Where
Screening Calendar
- Oct 22: Project Projection local shorts, Mills Folly Microcinema.
- Oct 24: UW Cinematheque special presentation (check calendar for exact title).
- Oct 25: 48 Hour “Wisconsin Thrillers” premieres, Bartell Theatre.
- Oct 29: AMC Scream 4K Halloween Bring-Back starts statewide, including Madison’s AMC Dine-In (check times).
Gear & Crew Leads
- Midwest Grip reports 2-ton van packages free Oct 20-26.
- Arts + Lit Lab accepts volunteer PAs for Project Projection night—good résumé starter
Policy & Incentive Landscape
Wisconsin still lacks a statewide tax credit, but the city’s fee-free permit policy and the region’s 25% below-Chicago crew rates keep budgets lean. Street-Use staff currently turn paperwork in five business days, well under the published 10-day goal. Filmmakers eyeing campus locations should loop UW Cinematheque into requests; the venue offers discounted projector rentals between screenings.
Closing Frames
With two public premieres, an ongoing feature shoot, and no barricades blocking lenses, Madison offers a low-stress, high-output slate as October winds down. Whether you’re grabbing foggy lakefront B-roll or locking in auditorium Q&A audio, the city’s open roads and open doors make the next fortnight the time to roll. If you need an extra set of hands, chances are someone you meet at the Project Projection reception or Madison camera crew will be ready to hop on your slate.
