Taylor Sheridan, the creative visionary behind Yellowstone and its spinoffs, has become the face of Texas’ burgeoning film and television industry. As the Lone Star State continues to expand its footprint in the entertainment world, Sheridan’s impassioned advocacy for robust state incentives and his commitment to filming in Texas are sparking a cinematic renaissance. With new soundstages emerging and diverse productions rolling, Texas is primed to claim its spot as a major production hub.
Sheridan’s Passion for Texas
“I love this state, and this is where I want to do my job,” Sheridan told the Texas Senate Committee on Finance. For the Yellowstone creator, Texas is more than a backdrop—it’s an integral character in the stories he tells. Shows like 1883, 1923, Lioness, and Landman have poured over $674 million into the state economy, generating an average of 14,500 jobs per production.
However, Sheridan emphasizes that none of these projects would have filmed in Texas without the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP). Currently funded at $200 million, the program has helped attract productions, but Sheridan argues it needs more consistent, long-term investment to compete with industry giants like Georgia and New Mexico.
Creator of “Yellowstone,” “Landman” and “Lioness,” Taylor Sheridan testified before a Texas Senate committee in support of the state’s film incentive program – Oct. 9.
Building the Infrastructure
Texas is no stranger to ambitious projects, and its current soundstage boom signals a commitment to the future of film production. Unlike past attempts to lure Hollywood, this time the investment is coming from industry heavyweights and local entrepreneurs alike.
New Soundstages Projects in Texas:
•Trilogy Studios I & II (Now open and expanding in 2025, Fort Worth & Irving, partnership between TBN & Optic 8)
•Stray Vista Studios (Opened 2022, Dripping Springs)
•Merit Street Media (Opened 2024, Fort Worth, founded by Dr. Phil McGraw)
•Southside Studios (Opening 2025, Dallas)
•Line 204 (Opening 2025, Bastrop)
•Hill Country Studios (Opening 2025, San Marcos)
•Horizon International (Opening 2025, Houston, co-developed by 50 Cent & Al Kashani)
•Texas A&M Virtual Production Institute (Fall 2024, College Station & Fort Worth)
These facilities are being developed by a mix of established industry veterans, including Taylor Sheridan, and and established industry players like Kevin Bar and Alton butler. Each studio caters to diverse needs, from traditional soundstages to cutting-edge virtual production facilities, setting Texas apart as a versatile hub for filmmakers.
Rendering of Hill Country Studios in San Marcos, Texas. The film studio will have 12 soundstages and more than 300,000 square feet of production space.
