Top Video Shoot locations in Chicago
Chicago is known for a lot of different things including food, architecture, and culture. They are known for their famous creation of deep dish pizza and the world's top fine art museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago.
Continuing off of the unique architecture found in Chicago, you can also find exquisite buildings where you can host video shoots. Giggster has some of the top-rated rental locations in the city.
Giggster offers a wide variety of locations to choose from including safe and affordable studios and industrial warehouses that can be outfitted with whatever equipment you have. We have music video shoot locations all over Chicago, and we can help you find the perfect one at the right price.
Your video shoot location is vital to the outcome of your content, so make sure you're utilizing all that Giggster has to offer. Download the Giggster app now and start browsing!
Chicago Video Shoot Venues Curated by Giggster
Whether this is your first video project or you're working with a video production company, there is a studio space just for you. At Giggster, we searched for unique locations so you don't have to.
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Don't like harsh lighting and shadows in your videos? We have a number of studios in Chicago with large windows letting in natural light for that soft, illuminated glow on your subject.
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Are you a fitness influencer in need of a gym to shoot content in? Your options are truly endless when you book through Giggster's easy-to-use app. Book any of our gyms or fitness studios and get ready to film your next training video!
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Looking for beautiful scenery and stunning views? From outdoor gardens to nature parks, we have a couple of video shoot locations that will help you explore your creativity and provide a background with unbelievable views.
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Need to film an instructional dance video? Or maybe you want a simple space without a lot of furniture. You can rent a creative dance studio with lots of space to move around and bring your own equipment.
672 Amazing Video Shoot Locations in Chicago
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Tired of looking at the same boring music video shoot locations? With Giggster's fine-tuned filters, you can find exactly what you're looking for. Your video shoot location is important to us, which is why we've curated a list of 672 exceptional locations that will help your production company.
Hassle-Free Booking: Not only are our locations exceptional in quality, but it is also easy to book them as well. Within just a few clicks you can rent a studio for your outdoor shoots, music videos, or brand promotions. The best part is you can have a beautiful space for as low as $20 USD/hour!
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: We know that life gets in the way of things sometimes. This is why we offer free cancellation within 24 hours of booking confirmation. Please note that your booking needs to be made at least 48 hours before the video shoot for this to apply.
Platform Protections: You also have the option to add a protection package to ensure your booking is protected from damage and liability. Now, you can book a pretty space like South Loop: Industrial Photography and Film Studio and not worry about heavy financial consequences in case of accidents.
Things to Consider for Your Video Shoot in Chicago
There are a few reasons why Chicago, IL is known as the "Windy City" and this may be a deterrent for some people. Before you proceed to film in this city, let's take a closer look at some of the positive and negative aspects of Chicago.
Pros
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As a film-friendly city, Chicago is home to several reputable video production services that can help you with your production needs.
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Chicago has an excellent food scene, boasting delicious food such as deep-dish pizza, Italian beef, Chicago-style hotdogs, and even popcorn! Take a break from your shoot and enjoy the food that the city has to offer.
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Chicago offers great entertainment options to everyone who visits. Whether you enjoy going to a sports game or going to a live theater show, there's always something to keep you busy.
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In video productions, the importance of a beautiful backdrop is everything. Chicago has beautiful scenery to offer that can lend your videos impeccable quality. Lake Michigan is one of the focal points of the beautiful spaces you can capture.
Cons
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Chicago's weather can be harsh, which can make filming a bit of a hassle if not properly planned for. With video production, it's important to book a convenient location for your film, where you don't need Mother Nature getting in the way. It won't hurt to monitor the weather forecast and time your shoot accordingly.
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Chicago is an expensive city to live in, which can make it costly to mount a video shoot, whether it's for a personal film project or a corporate video production. There may be free parking but the sales tax is high.
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There is reportedly a high amount of property crime in the Chicago area, so make sure you are making an informed decision and keeping yourself and your employees safe.
Choosing the Right Type of Location for a Video Shoot in Chicago
There is a wide variety of flexible spaces that can be found on the Giggster app, most of which double as video shoot locations. Here are some of our locations that we recommend for you to try, depending on the purpose of your video project.
Unique Art Spaces – Effortless Design. Picture a unique space that has graffiti everywhere and vibrant color walls. These artist spaces could transform a music video into something great, especially with the right lighting.
Gothic-Inspired Spaces – Regal Backdrop. Bring someone's music video to life with a gothic-inspired architectural building, such as a chapel or a church. The characteristic arching windows can lend a distinct aesthetic to your music video or commercial.
Modern Film Studios – Everything You Need in One Space. Go back to the basics and film videos that you know will be successful. Explore a modern studio and bring your professional vision to life. A modern film studio is perfect for making brand promotional videos, commercials, and more.
Yoga Studios – Bare Spaces That Allow Creativity. Promote fitness with our yoga, pool, and gym locations. Whether you're filming a fitness video or shooting a commercial for an activewear or protein powder brand, these spaces provide the right setting for your needs.
Houses – Homey and Comfortable. Need a more casual space where you can shoot interior scenes for a music video or a video interview? With historic features, large windows, and front porches, Giggster's selection of homes—from historic to mid-century modern—will not disappoint.
How to Plan a Video Shoot in Chicago
A video shoot, whether professional or personal, needs to be properly planned to reach its target audience. From pre-production to post-production, there are several steps that you need to define first before you start rolling the cameras. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Define Your Goals – Look into exactly what your message is going to be and define your intended audience. You may want to promote your new music, create a choreographed dance tutorial, film fitness content for Instagram, or make a commercial for a business brand.
Establish a Budget – This is arguably the most important step because you need to know how much you can spend on props, makeup, and venue.
Storyboard Your Concept – Create a rough storyboard that details the main scenes of your video. If you're able to visualize the whole thing as a concept and then break it down to a more defined outline of scenes, it will be easier to shoot.
Write Your Script – Once you have your storyboard outlined, you can go into more detail about each scene and how they're going to flow together. Get a second pair of eyes to see if your script is on the right track or needs to be tweaked a bit.
Saving Money on a Video Shoot in Chicago
Saving money is hard, especially when you are filming a video in Chicago. However, there are many ways that you can save money and still produce a successful video that looks impressive.
Stick to your budget.
First things first: create a budget. Think about all the necessary things that you are going to pay for (talent fees, crew salaries, venue rental, equipment rental, etc.) then stick to the budget that you made.
Book a decorated location.
When looking at locations to film your music video, consider an already-decorated studio that will benefit you in the long run, for example, a dark-themed bar or a studio loft with a modern design. The existing interior design means you will not have to pay for decorations or props to elevate the space.
Rent your equipment.
If you are someone just starting out in the production industry, you may want to look into renting equipment first rather than buying them right away. Renting equipment is easier than digging yourself into a big hole in the beginning.
Chicago Video Shoot Locations with Giggster
These filming locations curated by Giggster offer you an opportunity to elevate your content, create professional videos, and offer your services to other creators. With the Giggster app, easily book any of these locations and start filming right away.
