Find Video Shoot locations for rent in Chicago, IL

About Chicago

Thanks to its prime location by Lake Michigan and the development of railways, Chicago quickly expanded to become the third-largest in the state. People from all around the world have migrated here, bringing new ideas and ways of life to the city. Chicago is well-known for its impressive architecture, which brings in many tourists, its art scene, and its beautiful scenery, like the 26 miles of beaches along Lake Michigan.

Chicago is home to the first skyscraper ever built which is the second tallest in the hemisphere at 110 stories high. Other than the city's awe-inspiring architecture, there are many fun traditions to partake in, including Saint Patrick’s Day when the Plumbers Union turns the Chicago River green.

For filmmakers or content creators looking for a video or film shoot location in Chicago, there are plenty of options to choose from. You can rent a spacious modern home or a fully equipped studio if you want an indoor location. For outdoor spaces, the city has over 500 parks offering stunning views. Neighborhoods like Wicker Park and West Loop exude character, making them ideal music video shoot locations in Chicago.

Video Shoot Options in Chicago

Video Recording Equipment
Achieving success at your video shoot depends on having the right equipment. It can be stressful logistics-wise to bring everything all the way to Chicago, so you might want to rent a camera, tripod, boom microphones, lighting, and other equipment from a local company.

Props and Decorations
You might need some props or decorations for your video, photo shoot, or film shoot. There are plenty of reliable stores in Chicago where you can buy objects, backdrops, furniture, and accessories to be used in your video project.

Transportation
A big city like Chicago can be hard to navigate, and with all of your actors, equipment, and props, you might have a hard time getting everything to one place. Consider finding some form of transportation, like a moving truck or bus, that can bring everyone and everything to the studio space at once.

Video Shoot Companies in Chicago

Planning a music video or film shoot in a bustling city can be challenging, particularly if you're unfamiliar with the area. It can be a good idea to gain access to production companies that are familiar with the way things work in the city to help you plan your video shoot.

ProGear
ProGear has been open since 2008 and offers rentals for both still and motion cameras. They pride themselves on customer service and can help supply you with all of the equipment that you need from lenses, lighting, production equipment, and camera accessories.

Zap Props
Zap Props is a fun store that offers antique furniture and a huge selection of movie props for rent. On their website, you can find thrones, guns, casino games, western props, and many more. They can also make custom-designed props if you need something specific for music video shoot locations.

Pontarelli Chicago
At Pontarelli, you will find shuttle services, bus rentals, meeting or event transportation, and more. This company is experienced and reliable and can get your equipment and your team to film shoot locations around Chicago. They’ve been providing car services for over 40 years.

Pros and Cons of Video Shoots in Chicago

Video shoots require specific equipment so you will have to make sure the location you choose can provide for your shoot. Below are the pros and cons of choosing Chicago as your shoot location—carefully consider everything so you can arrive at an informed decision.

Advantages

Public transportation is good
Although the city’s public transportation can still be improved, it does well considering how many people use it daily. Chicago has one of the biggest bus and train systems in the country, which are better alternatives to driving.

The city is beautiful
One thing that you cannot deny about Chicago is that the city is stunning. Whether you are looking for a scenic shot of the city or a beautiful green space with direct sunlight, Chicago has the video shoot location that fits your vision.

Great citizens
One of Chicago’s best characteristics is the people themselves. Everyone who visits Chicago agrees that the citizens here are friendly, which can make a big difference in your overall experience.

Disadvantages

Unpleasant weather
In Chicago, seasons can be pretty intense and both summers and winters can be unpleasant. When organizing video productions or music video shoots in the summer, brace yourself for high temperatures. On the other hand, shooting in winter may be complicated by severe cold and snow, impacting natural light conditions.

Violence and gang activity
Chicago is often displayed as a crime-ridden city in most shows and videos and has a reputation for violence and gang activities. The city has a fairly high crime rate overall.

Finding parking
The people of Chicago have a sort of tradition called the dibs system, which is where people will place upside-down furniture outside to reserve a parking spot. Securing free parking in the West Side area becomes increasingly challenging during the winter months.

Famous Locations in Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago
This world-class museum houses a grand selection of artworks that are from recent and ancient times. They have prints, photographs, sculptures, paintings, architectural drawings, and other forms of creative art in the impressive 400,000-square-foot building. Constructed by Shepley, Coolidge, and Rutan in 1893 for the World’s Columbian Exposition, this establishment boasts exposed brick and high ceilings, encapsulating the architectural essence of the Windy City.

360 Chicago
The John Hancock Center building offers an impressive observation deck called 360 Chicago which is over 1,000 feet up high. It is located on the 94th floor of the building and offers a new feature called the Tilt, which offers visitors a view while being tilted in a way that lets you look straight down. The rest of the building is also filled with shops, apartments, offices, and a multimedia exhibit.

Shedd Aquarium
At the Shedd Aquarium, you can learn all about aquatic animals around the world. The place is suitable for people of all ages but children will especially enjoy the Polar Play Zone and the Stingray Touch Zone where you can pet real stingrays. Whether you are curious about aquatic animals from the Arctic or Caribbean, you can find out all about them at this aquarium.