About Overland Park
Overland Park is the second-largest city in Kansas, as well as the second-largest metropolitan area that is part of Kansas City. It has a population of around 199,000 and an area of 75.6 square miles. The city can be traced back to 1905 when it was founded by William B. Strang Junior.
Several subdivisions were established along a military roadway, one of which had been named Overland Park. It was envisioned as a park-centered community that would be able to offer unique neighborhoods, efficient transportation, and quality education.
Those are all features that Overland Park is famous for today. It was not incorporated into a city until May 20, 1960. At the time, the population in Overland Park was just over 28,000. There were major residential developments during the 60s and 70s, which led to Oak Park Mall and Corporate Woods.
In the 1980s, a boom in commercial development grew the city even more. By 1988, over 100,000 people were living in Overland Park. With a variety of natural spaces, interesting venues, and great attractions, the city is a popular tourist town. You should not have any trouble finding a filming space in Overland Park.
Filming Options in Overland Park
Kansas may not be the state you first think of when brainstorming filming locations, but there are plenty of filming options in Overland Park. It may not be an entertainment capital like Los Angeles or New York, but it shouldn’t be underestimated.
- Equipment
Whether you need to rent some high-quality lighting gear or professional cameras with industry-level lenses, Overland Park has options. You can find companies that just rent equipment, or you can hire an experienced technical team to work for you.
- Catering
Catering might not be the first thing you think of when going through filming options, but you shouldn’t overlook it. It can be an efficient yet simple way to enhance the atmosphere of your set and boost team morale.
- Transportation
Traffic around Overland Park might not be as bad as some other major U.S. cities, but that doesn’t mean you have to rely on driving yourself around. You can choose to use the public transportation system, or go with a private company. Private options are sometimes the best if you are looking for a more stylish way to get around.
Filming Companies in Overland Park
Overland Park filming companies are able to take your project to the next level. They can work with you on each of your needs, and handle even the smallest of details.
- Overland Chauffeured Services
Overland Chauffeured Services is known for providing airport pickups and drop-offs, but you can turn to them for a range of chauffeur services, such as private tours and special events. This award-winning company has experience in corporate and group transportation and offers a fleet of luxury vehicles. These include limos, SUVs, and vans.
- Infinite Catering
Infinite Catering serves the entirety of Johnson County in Kansas, including Overland Park. The company was previously known as Ambrosia Catering. They have experience with various types of events, including weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions. For each event they cater to, Infinite strives to create a unique, custom menu that fits with the client’s needs.
- Rentglass LLC
Rentglass LLC in Overland Park allows clients to rent cameras, lights, and lenses for up to a week or longer. The gear offered through Rentglass can work with Sony, Nikon, and Canon camera systems. They are considered one of the top choices in Overland for equipment rentals and are known for having some of the lowest prices around.
Pros and Cons of Filming in Overland Park
No matter how terrific a city may seem, no place is perfect in every way. There are pros and cons when considering Overland Park for any of your filming needs. Be sure you know the ups and downs before choosing an Overland Park filming location.
Advantages
- Affordability
Overland Park is pretty affordable, especially if you compare it to places like Los Angeles or Boston. This affordability is reflected in daily costs, like restaurants, attractions, and shopping.
- Food trucks
Kansas City is full of food trucks, and Overland Park benefits from the mobile food scene as well. Finding something to eat is incredibly easy, and the range of options is just as diverse as restaurant options.
- Short commute times
Getting around Overland Park or Kansas City is quite easy, and commute times are famously short. Most locals will only spend 25 minutes or less each day commuting through Kansas City.
Disadvantages
- Tornadoes
Overland Park, including Kansas City and most nearby communities, are right in tornado alley. These natural disasters can be devastating, and Kansas City itself averages about 60 tornadoes each year.
- Cars are necessary
It isn’t hard to figure out how to use public transportation to get around Overland Park, but that doesn’t mean you won’t need a car. The public transport system isn’t far-reaching, and likely won't be able to get you everywhere you need to go.
- Extreme temperatures
Overland Park is a great city for experiencing all four seasons, but the temperature extremes can be a big downside. The winter season fluctuates between mild cold and downright freezing, while summer temperatures can quickly jump from warm to downright dangerous.
Famous Locations in Overland Park
- Museum at Prairiefire
The Museum at Prairiefire was made the showcase the best that the Prairiefire District has to offer. There are several exhibits throughout the museum, and some are designed to be interactive for children. The building itself was designed to look like a fire burning on the prairie.
- IFly Kansas City
IFly Kansas City is one of the most fun attractions in Kansas City and Overland Park, and it offers a unique way to skydive. It is done completely outside in a wind tunnel, which provides the same sensation of skydiving without having to actually jump out of a plane.
- Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
The Arboretum and Botanical Gardens make up 300 acres of land in Overland Park. There are five miles of trails for visitors to walk, and a range of themed gardens. The Botanical Garden is also home to more than 200 types of birds so bring your binoculars and camera.