Shooting in Budapest – A Photographer’s Dream
Straddling the Danube River and brimming with layers of culture, Budapest is a photographer’s dream. It’s a city of stunning architecture, atmospheric streets, and fascinating local stories. The capital of Hungary was once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and its multifaceted history is reflected in its vibrant streets.
Shooting in Budapest is possible year-round and offers high production values at a fraction of the cost of shooting in Western Europe or the United States. Budapest’s thriving local film community has access to experienced, creative directors, DoPs, photographers, camera assistants (focus pullers), sound engineers, grips, gaffers, stylists, PA / runners, and production drivers. Our Budapest based fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the best talent to match your project’s budget.
Budapest is home to numerous historical buildings, forests and smaller villages in the surrounding hills and valleys. It can double for London, New York, Buenos Aires and Bangkok and has a wide variety of architectural styles. The city is also a hub of modern architecture and contemporary art. The local government supports filmmakers and has a dedicated department to facilitate production.
There is a good supply of affordable shooting locations and studios. Budapest is an international center of filmmaking and has a large population of professional film and television crews. The city’s close proximity to other European production centers makes it easy to bring in expert crews from across the continent.
A great place to start for landscape and cityscape shots is the Fisherman’s Bastion. Located on the Buda side of the city, this spectacular viewpoint gives you amazing panoramic views of the whole city. It’s a must-visit if you are in the area, especially when the sun sets and you can see the city illuminated by night.
Another fantastic location is the Szechenyi Baths, which are a set of thermal pools inside what looks like a Baroque palace. The pools are all fed by natural spring water and it’s a very popular attraction for tourists so be prepared for crowds. But if you can get there early enough before the masses arrive, this is a truly special spot.
One of the most iconic bridges in Budapest is the Chain Bridge, which spans the river between Buda and Pest. It’s an impressive structure by day and can be even more dramatic at night with the lights on the bridge and the traffic trails from long exposure shots.
Churchill Shooting Range in Budapest is a fun experience for everyone, but it’s important to note that fully automatic weapons and silencers are not allowed on Hungarian firing ranges. Some weapons advertised online claim to fire blanks or boast a’mock-up suppressor’ that isn’t capable of actually reducing sound levels and are therefore illegal to use in the country. Those under 18 can participate with parental guidance, but can only watch and not shoot. Click here for more info. To see all our recommended shooting locations in Budapest, visit our Shooting Locations Page.shooting Budapest
