Find Production spaces for rent in Chicago, IL

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.

From Adler Planetarium to Wrigley Field, Chicago has many 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 taste leans towards the great outdoors, you shouldn’t miss the great Lake Michigan. With spectacular views, amenities, boat trips, and readily available equipment for hire, you can combine your outdoor trip with the conveniences of the city.

Chicago is also an excellent place for business. Many call it ‘Chicago Studio City’ owing to the many film studios and production houses. The city is a hub for film enthusiasts, models, professional crews, and ongoing productions. Filming is an everyday activity, with plenty of space for film studios, photo studios, and production studios.

Production Space Options

When trying to find a Chicago production space to shoot your next film, magazine cover, or TV pilot, there are a few things to consider. Collaborating with local vendors and businesses is best to help you get everything together, whether hosting events or performances. Producers can hire local crews for a shoot and collaborate with vendors for facilities, amenities, and more.

• Transport
  It might sound like an odd choice to consider, but transport and, more importantly, parking are huge when organizing a production space in Chicago. You will have loads of camera accessories, AV supplies, costuming, props, studio equipment, and more to drop off – make sure you can get it all there safely.
  
  
• Decoration
  Even if you choose your Chicago production office based predominantly on aesthetics, the chances it will be 100% right for your production theme are slim. Ensure you have the budget and time to decorate and dress your studio space properly. Consider including a photo studio or film studio, makeup rooms, and a large dressing room.
  
  
• Audio Visual
  With a production of any size or type, you will need decent lighting and enough sockets and outlets for all your electronics. This might be a concern, especially in an older building with exposed brick or high ceilings. Do your checks, and remember to bring extra extension cables according to the required square feet of your space.

Production Space Companies in Chicago

Organizing shoots is stressful enough, so why not accept professional help with all the available production resources? After all, it’s hard to do it all on your own. The city of Chicago, IL, has some spectacular professionals who can help you get it done.

• AV Visual
  If it involves audio or visual, the experts at AV Visual can provide it. From equipment rentals to full-scale event services, film and editing suites, rigging, and other production needs, they have dozens of packages that can be tailored to your film or shoot.
  
  
• House of Rentals
  No matter how unique your rent request is, the House of Rentals has a huge inventory of event rentals, including quality decor, furniture, tents, inflatables, and even cherry-picker lifts. Renting has never been so easy! With so many production studios in Chicago, House of Rentals provides easy access to the necessities.
  
  
• Infinity Transportation
  If you plan a larger-scale production, you probably have a big crew traveling to and from the production studio. 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. Most film studios offer parking for independent filmmakers and their crew, but parking spots for crew and equipment might be tough.

Pros and Cons of Production Spaces in Chicago

Chicago is an amazing place, but even the best cities have downsides. Before you finalize your production space in Chicago, familiarize yourself with the ups and downs of film production in the city that can affect your filming.

Advantages

• History
  From prohibition and gangsters to once having the tallest building in the world to having a World Series-winning baseball team, Chicago has plenty of interesting history and culture to appreciate. You also have many historic buildings with exposed brick and high ceilings, which can serve as gorgeous backdrops in your production.
  

• Landscape
  With the dramatic backdrop of Lake Michigan, the views of the Chicago skyline are something to behold. It’s awe-inspiring in the deep cold season, where the lake can freeze solid.
  

• Transport
  Despite being isolated in the Midwest on the Canadian border, Chicago is well connected through a giant Amtrak network and the huge Chicago O’Hare airport, which links the city with the rest of the country and the world. The city is ideal for production studios, music videos, and more since it's easier to travel in between locations.
  

• Diversity
  Chicago has always been a beautiful melting pot regarding culture, food, people, and history. It’s a great chance to experience different languages and festivals and see the country's diversity. One such great neighborhood is East Pilsen.

Disadvantages

• Snow
  If you are not a fan of cold and wet weather, you should avoid Chicago in the winter. It is notoriously brutal, and if you are not from a similarly wintery place, it can get pretty dangerous. It's best to search for someplace with a less harsh temperature.
  

• Parking
  As with many major, highly populated cities, parking in and around the center of Chicago can be a nightmare. Finding parking spots at your location might be difficult unless you specifically look for a filming location that offers designated parking slots for crew.
  

• Traffic
  In the same way, if you need to be in a film studio around rush hour, make sure you plan and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. Traffic in Chicago can be a gridlocked nightmare, which is to be expected in a highly congested area. Avoid the rush hour, which peaks at 6 to 8 am and 4 to 6 pm.

Famous Locations in Chicago

• Lincoln Park
  As Chicago’s largest park, Lincoln Park stretches six miles along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. It is a perfect place to spend a beautiful day. The park also includes 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, you will want to make a pilgrimage to the US’s second-oldest ballpark, the site of Wrigley Field. Home to the Chicago Cubs, you can watch a game or tour behind the scenes. Film enthusiasts touring the many studios in Chicago should stop and click some photos or take a video of Wrigley Field.
  
  
• Michigan Avenue
  Otherwise known as the Magnificent Mile, Michigan Avenue is one of the main thoroughfares in Chicago IL. It’s home to designer shops and boutiques, some of the best restaurants in the city, some huge corporations, and the theater district. Michigan Avenues has been the filming location of choice in many films, with countless productions choosing this location for its incredible lighting, artistic vibe, and space.