Find Convenience Store locations for rent near me

Convenience stores and gas stations are authentic film locations that provide added character to any production. In this guide, we'll show you how to search for a space and stage a successful convenience store film shoot.

The Best Events for Convenience Store Spaces

Why would you want to rent a convenience store location? Gas stations and neighborhood stores are well suited to an extensive variety of production types, including:

Film Shoots
Think of all the movies, TV shows, and commercials you've seen over the years that feature convenience stores and gas stations. A real-life store adds plenty of authenticity to any film shoot.

Photo Shoots
Convenience store locations are also well suited to photo shoots. They can provide a humble, everyday backdrop to help the subject of your shoot stand out from the mundane.

Product Launches and Commercials
If you're launching a new product to the market and you want to showcase it in a retail environment, a convenience store provides a relatable backdrop for your target audience.

Music Videos
Convenience stores are also popular locations for producers looking to film a music video. Locations like gas stations provide an everyday situation and backdrop to help the on-screen talent really pop on camera.

What to Look for in a Convenience Store Filming Location

Gas stations and convenience stores might seem like they're a dime a dozen, but there are lots of key features to look for to be sure of choosing the right filming location.

The Right Look
The property you choose will need to have the perfect look for your film production. From the sign out the front to the shelf-lined aisles and the fridges filled with cold drinks, every aspect of the property has to provide the right atmosphere for the scenes you want to film.

Key Features
Search for a convenience store that offers all the amenities you need for your filming project. This may mean off-street parking, bathrooms, advertising displays, a particular counter style, or just about anything else you can think of to make it easy to film the scene you're envisioning.

Location and Ease of Access
The best filming location for your convenience store project will be in a location that's easy for you and your crew to get to. Check public transport links and travel times for people arriving by road. It's also essential that the site is easy for your crew to access with all their camera, lighting, and audio gear.

Price
Search for a convenience store for your film shoot that you can hire without busting your budget. The best gas stations and convenience store locations may not always be the most affordable, so shop around to find the best value.

Venue Host
Contact the store owner to find out if they're going to be easy to work with on your film project. Search for an owner who responds quickly to questions, offers helpful tips and advice, and is happy to work with you to ensure that you can get your scenes filmed without any hiccups.

How to Make Your Film Production Event Better

There are several simple things you can do to help make your film shoot run smoothly, and to make sure you deliver a polished final product.

Have a Clear Artistic Vision
Before you can even start comparing gas stations and convenience stores, and long before the cameras start rolling, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. What sort of emotions do you want to evoke in your audience? What sort of atmosphere and ambiance do you want to create? Once you have a clear idea of your goals, you can start taking steps to make them a reality.

Compare Convenience Store Locations
Don't just settle for the first convenience store for rent near you. Compare a wide range of gas stations and other venues to find a space that provides everything you need for your project—from a visual point of view as well as a practical one.

Consider Lighting
Filming requires you to have an in-depth understanding of lighting and how it can influence the look and feel of any scene. Consider how much natural light is available in your convenience store of choice, and how this can change throughout the day and affect the mood of the space. You'll also need to check the level of in-store lighting and consider what other artificial light sources you'll need to introduce to the site to get the look you want.

Work With Professionals
The easiest way to ensure that you capture memorable scenes is to work with experienced filming professionals. From the camera operator to the lighting technician, every member of your crew has an important role to play and can help turn an amateur project into something that looks a whole lot more professional.

Build Your Convenience Store Film Production Team

Just like raising a child, it takes a village to produce a successful film shoot. Here are some of the key players you'll want on your team to ensure that filming runs smoothly from start to finish.

Camera Operator
The camera operator is a key film crew member who can ensure that all the action is captured on screen. Depending on the nature of your filming project, you may need to hire more than one camera operator.

Boom Operator
It's easy to underestimate just how much of an impact audio quality has on the quality and authenticity of any scene. That's why an experienced microphone boom operator will be one of your key hires and can ensure that every aspect of your scene sounds great.

Lighting Technician
The effect that lighting has on the mood and look of any scene cannot be overstated. That's why it's vital to find an experienced lighting technician for your film shoot. They can help you take advantage of the natural light the property has to offer, plus add artificial lighting rigs to make sure the area is well lit and offers the look you want for your project.

Set Designer
A set designer takes on the important job of getting the convenience store or market location looking exactly how you want it. They can move store displays where needed and add extra props as necessary to increase the authenticity of the property.

Actors
Don't forget about the importance of finding talented actors with a strong on-screen presence to complete your filming project. They add character and interest to all scenes, and the best people will be willing to work with you on set to make sure you get the most out of them for your film shoot.

Benefits of Booking Your Convenience Store Location Early

While it can be hard to know where to start when planning a film shoot, getting in early offers several important advantages.

Get the Best Location
The best gas stations and convenience stores often book out well in advance. But if you start your search for film locations as early as possible, you'll be able to secure the best site for your film production.

Get a Better Price
Starting early with your venue search gives you the opportunity to compare a long list of options. This means you can shop around for the convenience store location that offers the best value for money in your price range.

Leaves Time to Organize All Other Aspects of Your Production
When you get your film shoot location booked early, you'll have a whole lot of time left over to focus on organizing all the other important aspects of your filming project.

Secure the Best Crew Members
Booking a site early also means that you can get in contact with the film crew members you want for your project. And because you're planning so far in advance, you can have your pick of the best people available.

Questions to Ask When Booking a Convenience Store Space

Not sure whether a convenience store is right for you? Get in contact with the store owner and ask them some key questions to decide whether the film location will be a good fit.

Is it Available on the Date(s) I Want?
This should be the first question you ask. Check whether the property is available on the filming dates you have in mind. If it's not, can you change your filming date or will you need to compare other locations?

How Long is the Booking For?
Does your booking let you use the location all day and night? Or do you only get it for a limited number of hours? Can you pay extra to secure the property for a few additional hours?

What's Included in the Price?
Ask the store owner whether the price you pay covers all features mentioned in the property listing and shown in photos. Is there other equipment available at the site that you can add to your filming booking for an additional fee?

Are There Any Restrictions?
Check whether there are any location restrictions that could cause issues with your filming plans. For example, are there any noise restrictions in place or limits on how you can decorate the space? Or if you're searching for gas stations, are there restrictions on the use of open flame or other dangerous aspects during filming?

Find Your Perfect Convenience Store Location on Giggster

Finding the perfect convenience store location will add depth and authenticity to your production. Compare gas stations and convenience store locations on Giggster today to find your ideal space.