About Chicago

There are a lot of things that you might have heard about Chicago. Once home to the notorious gangster, Al Capone, the city has had a violent and fractured past. But that is in the past. Modern Chicago is a haven for those who love culture. From museums to galleries to architecture there is something for everyone - after all, if it’s good enough for the Obamas, it’s good enough for us!

From Adler Planetarium to Wrigley Field, Chicago has a plethora of attractions for everyone no matter what you like. You can see some amazing artwork at the Museum of Contemporary Art or the animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo, visit the Cloud Gate at Millennium Park, or see the city from 1,353 feet up on the Skydeck Chicago.

If your tastes lie more in the great outdoors, you can do worse than staying on the edge of the great Lake Michigan. With spectacular views, boat trips, and equipment for hire readily available, you can combine your outdoor trip with the conveniences of the city.

Production Space Options

When you are trying to find a Chicago production space to shoot your next film, magazine cover, or TV pilot, there are a few things to consider. It is best to collaborate with the local vendors and businesses to help you get it all together.

• Transport
  It might sound like an odd choice to consider, but transport and, more importantly, parking is huge when organizing a production space in Chicago. You are going to have loads of camera accessories, AV supplies, costuming, props, and more to drop off - make sure you can get it all there safely.
  
  
• Decoration
  Even if you are choosing your Chicago production space-based predominantly on aesthetics, the chances that it’s going to be 100% right for the theme of your production is going to be slim. Make sure you have the budget and time to properly decorate and dress your set.
  
  
• Audio Visual
  With a production of any size or type, you are going to need decent lighting and enough sockets and outlets for all your electronics. Especially if you are in an older building, this might be a concern. Do your checks and remember to bring extra extension cables.

Production Space Companies in Chicago

To be honest, organizing shoots are stressful enough so why not accept some help from the pros? After all, you cannot do it all on your own. The city of Chicago has some spectacular professionals who can help you get it done.

• AV Visual
  If it comes under the banner of audio or visual, then chances are that the guys at AV Visual can provide it. From equipment hire to full-scale event services and rigging, they have dozens of packages that can be tailored to your needs.
  
  
• House of Rentals
  It doesn’t matter how weird your hire request is, the House of Rentals has a huge inventory of event rentals that includes decor, tents, inflatables, and even cherry picker lifts. They really have it all and then some.
  
  
• Infinity Transportation
  If you are planning a larger-scale production, then you have probably got a pretty big crew traveling with you. With parking and traffic being big considerations in Chicago, it might be worth hiring a bus, like those from Infinity Transportation to get you all where you need to go.

Pros and Cons of Production Spaces in Chicago

Chicago is an amazing place, but even the best cities have their downsides. Before you finalize your production space in Chicago, make sure you get familiar with the ups and downs that can affect your event.

Advantages

• History
  From prohibition and gangsters to once having the tallest building in the world, to having a World Series-winning baseball team, there is plenty of interesting history and culture to appreciate in Chicago.
  
  
• Landscape
  With the dramatic backdrop that is Lake Michigan, the views of the Chicago skyline are something to behold. It’s especially impressive in the deep freeze season where the whole lake can freeze over in a terrifying way.
  
  
• Transport
  Despite being seemingly isolated in the midwest on the Canadian border, Chicago is very well connected through a giant Amtrak network and the huge Chicago O’Hare airport, linking the city with the rest of the country and the world.
  
  
• Diversity
  Chicago has always been a beautiful melting pot when it comes to culture, food, people, and history. It’s a great chance to experience different languages, festivals and just see how great diversity is for the country.

Disadvantages

• Snow
  If you are not a fan of the cold and wet stuff, then you are really going to want to avoid Chicago in the winter. It is notoriously brutal and if you are not coming from a similarly wintery place, it can get pretty dangerous.
  
  
• Pollution
  When it comes to both the water system and the poor air emissions, Chicago has a problem with pollution. It actually averages as the 18th worst city in the US for air pollution, and the waterways have been described as being pretty undrinkable.
  
  
• Parking
  As with a lot of major cities, parking in and around the center of Chicago can be a bit of a nightmare. Although some businesses provide workers with designated parking spaces, if you can’t find a production space in Chicago that includes one, you might struggle.
  
  
• Traffic
  In the same way, if you need to be in the city center around rush hour, make sure you plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. Traffic can be a gridlocked nightmare!

Famous Locations in Chicago

• Lincoln Park
  As Chicago’s largest park, spanning six miles along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, Lincoln Park is a perfect place to spend a beautiful day. Within the park, you can find the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Chicago History Museum, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, and more.
  
  
• Wrigley Field
  If you love to play or watch America’s favorite pastime, then you are going to want to make a pilgrimage to the US’s second-oldest ballpark, Wrigley Field. Home to the Chicago Cubs, you can either watch a game or take a tour behind the scenes.
  
  
• Michigan Avenue
  Otherwise known as the Magnificent Mile, Michigan Avenue is one of the main thoroughfares in the city. It’s home to designer shops and boutiques, some of the best restaurants in the city, some huge corporations, and the theater district.