The Best Locations for a Video Shoot
Movie-making transcends Los Angeles; video production companies consistently produce feature films, music videos, and other productions beyond LA and San Diego! Instead of contracting location scouts in different cities, you can easily find video shoot locations nationwide and globally on Giggster.
Los Angeles still holds the mantle as a top photo shoot and video production setting, and the city can help bring your next screen story to life! We can all agree that beautiful filming locations are strewn across the country, waiting to produce your next music video or event. The biggest challenge production companies and content creators face is finding and booking remote filming locations and video shoot spaces.
Giggster can help you find and rent everything from top video production settings to fitting venues for corporate events across the USA and outside the country. Explore our 10000 listings to find a perfect location for your film shoot, music video, or photography project.
Why Choose Giggster for Your Video Shoot
You may be planning to produce compelling content for social media platforms to rally support for a fundraising event, create a promotional video for your business, or record a music video. Whatever the case, Giggster can connect you with the best video shoot spaces and filming locations for your project.
-
Film and photo studios have all the amenities needed for music videos, photo shoots, and feature films. The sprawling video production venues provide access to lighting, sound, and camera equipment alongside plenty of space to construct different film sets.
-
Gardens, farms, and desert lands are some of the outdoor production locations on Giggster. The surrounding beauty and natural light are their selling points. A poolside venue or a garden in an urban setting can vary the shots for a music video shoot.
-
Rooftops and lofts create ideal backdrops for video shoots; the balcony of an upper-level Los Angeles apartment provides the perfect setting for shooting establishing sequences.
-
A gym can double as a fitness video shoot location! Turn a top-level space with large windows and plenty of natural light into the backdrop for your fitness photo shoot or music video set.
Incredible Filming Locations Start at $18 USD/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Giggster can help you find a perfect music video or photo shoot location at $18 USD/hour. Browse our extensive listings covering Los Angeles and the rest of the country to find everything from restaurants and cafes to photo and film studios.
Hassle-Free Booking: Search, find, and book a video or photo shoot location in Los Angeles or anywhere else in seconds! Our site puts you in direct contact with property owners, allowing you to ask all the questions about different properties and get custom rental prices.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Say your video or photo shoot is 48 hours away, and you've just made a booking. If something comes up and you can't use the production space as planned, you can cancel at no cost within 24 hours of the booking confirmation.
Platform Protections: Los Angeles and most other cities require productions to have liability insurance and other covers when applying for filming permits. Giggster provides several optional protection plans to cover property owners and renters.
Choosing the Right Type of Location for a Video Shoot
Giggster lists diverse filming locations, like our 444: Natural Light Cyc Wall Studio + FREE LIGHTING, helping video production companies find the perfect spaces. If you are wondering whether to rent a small photo shoot setting without equipment or a massive production location that comes with all the bells and whistles, our rundown of the venues on our site and the projects they suit should help.
-
Film Studios – Interior Scenes. The biggest productions spend months in film studios, mostly filming interiors and stunt sequences. Renting a film studio gives you access to top-of-the-line production gear, including adjustable lighting, cameras, rigs, and green screens. Many have space for custom set construction or even pre-built film sets.
-
Recording Studios – Music Videos. Recording studios are naturally the best backdrops for music videos. They have music production equipment, which can double as props and diversify the shots. Different rooms, including the recording booth, can create separate shooting areas.
-
Photo Studios – Photo Shoots. Photo studios are perfect settings for different photography projects. You can host a fashion shoot or use the space as a filming location for a production with scenes set in a photo studio.
-
Homes – TV Commercials. Rent a beachfront or waterfront property as a filming space for a TV commercial. Giggster lists everything from loft apartments to stately mansions, giving you a range of shoot locations perfect for different photography and video productions.
-
Restaurants – Dining Sequences. A restaurant can serve as the main set for a TV show or a shoot location for dining sequences. Giggster has coffee shops, ice cream parlors, sky bars, and restaurants with patio seating that you can rent for different screen productions.
Top Features to Look for in a Video Shoot Venue
Producing a compelling video takes more than having the best camera on hand; you'll need a shoot location that meets all production requirements. Giggster can help you rent a perfect backdrop, and if you need help identifying the best space, here is a list of location must-haves:
What equipment does the location offer? Video production locations vary; a studio might offer lighting and camera equipment, while a private house might, at best, have free Wi-Fi. Naturally, renting a filming location with basic gear will lighten your load, especially your production budget.
Does the film location provide crew support? Like equipment, crew support varies from one filming location to the next. A film studio might provide the services of a videographer, lighting technician, and sound professional. The location rental costs include these services, or you may have to pay for them as add-ons.
Are there any additional fees? The location rental fee might vary from what you see on a listing based on the project scope. Some locations have cleaning fees, and you need to ask the host if there are any extra charges for additional services.
Planning Your Video Shoot
Renting a video location out of the lists of production spaces on our website puts you one step closer to realizing your creative vision. To get all your ducks in a row and leave nothing to chance, here are production tops that can help plan film shoots or industry events.
Start Location Scouting – The best time to scout locations is once you have an itemized production budget. Giggster is your all-in-one database for top video shoot locations nationwide; filter your search according to budget, features, location, and activity to quickly find and book a production setting.
Apply for Permits Early – You'll need permits to film in most public locations, but the local Film Office is the best place to get this information. Liability insurance is usually one of the permit application requirements, and Giggster offers optional protection plans you can attach to a video shoot location.
Respect the House Rules – All rented spaces have rules, and it's courteous to respect them. Most locations have strict no-adult filming policies and will charge a cleaning fee.
Create a Shooting Schedule – A production schedule is a calendar of filming events detailing what you plan to film each day. It helps with planning almost every other production aspect, mainly transport logistics.
Video Shoot Hidden Costs
Saving money when planning a video shoot is possible right away; Giggster has budget-friendly film locations that can help you stay on budget. There are many other ways to lower your production budget, and these tips can spark ideas:
Rent equipment.
The cost of cameras, lights, lenses, rigs, and accessories can be astronomical, and it's impossible for most filmmakers or businesses to invest in filming gear. In most cases, video productions are one-off or occasional projects, and it makes sense to rent what you need. The best go-between is to produce your film in a studio with all the necessary gear.
Read the fine print.
Giggster and property owners do not include hidden charges in any listing; instead, they clarify that you should contact the host for custom pricing. Rental rates can change depending on the project scope, day of the week, or season.
Look into film incentives.
Just about every city has film incentives meant to attract international filmmakers. You can save money with free permits and troubleshooting assistance if your film is eligible.
Plan Your Video Shoot with Giggster
That wraps up our rundown of the video shoot locations on our website; start browsing our vast listings to find the perfect location for your film shoot. From diners to dilapidated buildings, we have unique locations to make your production stand out.
Supamotionstock.com // Shutterstock
Written by: Cynthia Rebolledo
What to know when renting out your space for film shoots
"Art has its consequences!" Christopher Doyle told the British Film Institute during a 2019 interview. The Australian cinematographer recounted what happened as the crew for "Chungking Express"—now a must-watch film in Hong Kong New Wave—was shooting in his flat while he still lived there. "There was a scene where we flooded the place. Then we left. I guess I went on to another film. Two or three months later, I came back and the people downstairs were going to sue us. We're on the third floor and it flooded through every apartment downstairs."
While not every shoot will include such drastic consequences, it is a cautionary tale in the world of movie-making: The unexpected happens, and property owners who are looking to make additional income by renting their spaces need to also be aware of the cons before diving in.
On the other hand, your home could be the next silver screen icon, such as the De Vere House, now the second-most photographed doorway in the U.K. behind 10 Downing Street, where the British prime minister resides. The home has been immortalized for its role as Godric's Hollow, where Harry Potter's parents lived while he was still a baby.
For the most part, it seemed as if the owners had a front-row seat to movie magic in the making. "The crew arrived without actors and filmed both the front and the back in the height of summer," owner Tony Ranzetta told the Telegraph in 2012. "They then used parts of the house like pieces of a massive three-dimensional jigsaw, cutting and pasting them to form the streets of Godric's Hollow."
Whether you own a small studio or period-piece home, listing your space can be a great way to achieve that additional revenue stream—but one that comes with trial and error or possible risks.
Ever wonder what it takes to be a host? Giggster compiled a list of pointers for renting out your space for film shoots to guarantee a successful experience, using tips from property owners and various sources.
Know the value of your listing
Make sure to do some market research. How much you'll earn from renting out your property will be based on multiple factors: your home's location, its appearance and features, and the production company's budget. Most websites that aggregate film locations for rent also advertise their hourly rates, making it easy to compare a venue's offerings with yours.
The average homeowner on Giggster earned $2,027 per booking in 2019. Homes that have hosted at least one shoot earned an average of $3,945. These prices are only a barometer, and as a host, you have the freedom to discount your price or increase your rate based on the shoot.
You can also use an adaptive pricing scale to account for different production budgets and crew sizes. Photo shoots and video shoots are very different and require different fee additions.
Offer additional services to maximize your earnings
Some hosts can get an edge over potential clients by offering add-ons like water, ice, package delivery, and the use of the house indoors or outdoors—but don't forget to reflect that when setting your price.
Each film shoot is a unique situation, from feature films with a cast and crew of more than 80 people to filming a weekly series or a commercial. Make sure your listing description and contract state that guests may be charged additional fees associated with their use of a space or various services.
Negotiate a price that factors in the time required to prepare and clean up the shoot. In the case that you allow for it, follow the industry standard around charging productions roughly half the price of a normal film day when a shoot goes over its allotted time.
Posting great photos pays off
When it comes to listing your space, great photos matter. Taking great photography of your space will ensure bookings. This is your opportunity to show off the natural lighting in your house, various rooms, interior decor, and features such as pools, gardens, and the backyard.
In addition to the look of your home, practical details are just as important. According to the Los Angeles Times, filmmakers are looking for a location with enough space for their crew and equipment—something else worth highlighting in your photo gallery.
Vet potential renters
Dani O'Dell, owner of a ranch-style production house in Tustin, California, advises that hosts vet all potential inquiries before accepting their bid. "There have definitely been some companies and projects that would not have worked well at my home. You have to think of neighbors, disruption to your daily life, and how they will conduct themselves in your home."
O'Dell suggests looking up the inquiring company's website and even social media platforms. "With this simple step, you can learn a lot about the standard of care they deliver with their work."
She also advises property owners not to be afraid to ask questions and really take the time to see whether this particular project is a good fit before rushing in.
Set house rules
Seasoned hosts will all attest to the importance of setting one's boundaries from the get-go. Experts say the listing is a great place to be overly descriptive and to be sure that you are clear on what your house rules are with filmmakers.
While working on the stipulations for shooting at a 150-year-old Philadelphia property, Alex Capozzolo, co-founder of Brotherly Love Real Estate, told Apartment Therapy that his client was able to include additional rules that protected their space. They restricted the number of film crew, added requirements for damage insurance, and included a clause that no changes be made to the interior or exterior of the house.
O'Dell said the recurring advice she was given before listing her property was to "not be soft" if asked for extra time. "I could not understand why this came up in so many conversations before I began listing my home—then it happened to me several times. People with tight budgets will try to squeeze in extra time."
An 11 p.m. wrap-up time could easily turn into midnight—or worse, as late as 2 a.m.—because film crews typically need to clean up after a shoot as well. "Just remember to stick to your hard boundaries if you need to," O'Dell advised.
Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
