Queen City Lens: What’s Next for Charlotte Video Production This September
Charlotte video production is about to hit warp speed. From red-carpet premieres to fresh-paint soundstages, the next two weeks (Sept 10-24) will keep crews, agencies and gear trucks in constant motion. Below is a verified snapshot of what to watch—and how each headline could shape your slate.
Charlotte Film Festival Rolls Cameras Sept 23-28
- 17th annual edition at The Independent Picture House
- Opening-night film: Roofman, the locally shot Channing Tatum true-crime drama
- 150+ shorts, features and student reels; nightly filmmaker Q&As
- Passes start at $45; industry-only lounge next to Studio C
After a record-setting year for state incentives, the Charlotte Film Festival’s return (Sept 23-28) arrives right on cue — offering visiting producers a curated look at North Carolina’s talent pool and locations. Roofman’s hometown premiere is especially strategic: the film spent months closing South End streets for high-speed sequences, proving the city’s appetite for large-format shoots. Expect scouts from streaming platforms eyeballing the Queen City’s skyline throughout the week.
Casting Call—Commercial Spots Film Sept 12-13
Local agencies report a two-day commercial campaign hiring Charlotte actors at standard SAG-regional rates (approx. $700/10). Shooting on a controlled set minimizes street closures but keeps DP crews, G&E vendors and craft services busy on an otherwise festival-heavy weekend. For freelancers between features, these quick gigs bridge income gaps and expand reel material—another win for the metro film economy.
Blume Studios Opens Stage 1 to Public
What was once the Charlotte Pipe & Foundry site has been reborn as Blume Studios inside the Iron District. Though the full campus opens later this year, producers can preview its acoustics during the K-Pop Silent Disco on Sept 14. The 10,000-sq-ft Stage 1 comes pre-rigged with truss, LEDs and drive-in access, ideal for music videos or tabletop builds needing sound isolation. Early adoption by the Charlotte International Arts Festival suggests strong cross-pollination between film and live events—a trend that de-risks long-term studio investment.
Permit Alert—Levine Avenue Closed Sept 8-30
The City of Charlotte has issued a full closure on Levine Avenue of the Arts between North Church & South Tryon, effective Sept 8 at 7 a.m. to Sept 30 at 7 p.m. The shutdown supports Charlotte International Arts Festival installs ranging from 3-D sculptures to pop-up stages. Production managers planning Uptown shoots should reroute grip trucks and apply early for alternate curb-lane holds; CMPD will enforce towing.
Fast-Track Opportunities for Crews
Window | Opportunity | Why It Matters |
Sept 12-13 | Commercial shoot (undisclosed brand) | Pays day-rates; solid network-TV spec piece |
Sept 14 | K-Pop Silent Disco tech call | First look at Blume Studios’ Stage 1 acoustics |
Sept 23-28 | Charlotte Film Festival | Networking + panel on NC incentives (Sept 26, 3 p.m.) |
Now-Sept 30 | Uptown street art timelapse | CIAF installations offer B-roll gold—apply for tripod permits early |
Conclusion
With a marquee festival premiere, brand-backed commercial work, and a freshly minted soundstage all colliding in a two-week span, Charlotte video production has momentum to spare. Whether you’re booking crew, location scouting or hunting for extras, the Queen City’s September slate offers both creative inspiration and concrete business leads—just keep those permit dates on your call sheet.
