About Houston
Houston is the largest city in Texas and one of the biggest cities in the country. Being the main city in the Lone Star State, there is a strong sense of Texan pride as well as a huge melting pot culture that emanates across the entire city. As such, there are so many delicious restaurants, exciting festivals, and amazing people to meet.
It’s also a huge hive of activity when it comes to jobs. With so many global titans of industry calling Houston home, thanks to low rates of tax in Texas, there are plenty of opportunities available and professionals to network and collaborate with.
Video Shoot Options in Houston
When you’re trying to find the perfect location for your video shoot, aesthetics isn’t everything. Let’s have a look at some more practical factors.
- Lighting
As with any kind of video shoot, lighting is key. You might have the perfect location booked and ready to go, but check for sockets and cabling so you can bring in extra lighting. Also, make sure you budget for the extra space out of shot needed for that kind of kit.
- Transport
If you have a lot of kit like cameras, tripods, lighting stands and props that you need to take to your venue, one car or your standard Uber might not be big enough. Especially if you’re shooting in multiple locations or with multiple people, consider hiring a van for the day.
- Catering
Shoots can run long so it’s important to have food and refreshments on hand to keep the crew and the talent from getting grouchy. Whether it’s packed lunches, a buffet you can dip in and out of, or going for a food truck parked outside – there are plenty of options.
Video Shoot Companies in Houston
Organizing a video shoot in Houston can be stressful so it’s always worth having some pros on hand to help with the workload.
- Karana Audio Visual
If you need to hire any extra lighting, video or audio equipment in a pinch, then the guys at Karana Audio Visual can be real life savers. They’ll even give you advice on how best to set up your shoot to get the most out of your vision. They’ve been assisting with video shoots and more since 2015.
- JJ Van Rentals
With bigger video shoots comes extra equipment and bodies to help haul it all out and set it all up. Lucky for you, JJ Van Rentals are on hand to help you with all your transportation needs offering high quality, comfortable vans to travel around in.
- Pappas Catering
With versions of Pappas existing all over Texas, you know that you’re going to get high-quality, absolutely delicious food with great service. Everything can be made on site for maximum freshness, or you can customize the menu to suit your schedules.
Pros and Cons of Video Shoots in Houston
Even the best cities have some downsides, and Houston is no different, so let’s check them out.
Advantages
- Cost of living
Strangely enough, despite being the biggest city in Texas, Houston has a lower cost of living than either Dallas or Austin and much lower than similarly sized cities like New York or LA. It’s not super cheap, but it’s less than you’d expect.
- Weather
Being in Texas, you know that the weather is going to either be warm or balmy at the very least pretty much all year round. So if you’re traveling down, you can probably leave that big coat and boots look at home.
- Green spaces
Despite being a very urban-looking city with glass skyscrapers decorating the skyline, Houston has the most green spaces of any city in Texas. So if you’re looking to escape the melee of city life and relax in nature, you can do it here.
- Jobs
As Houston is home to many of the world’s top companies, multinationals and energy companies, there are plenty of jobs going around in the city. This means that the economy is thriving in Houston and that keeps the cost of living low.
- Sports
It’s no secret that sport is absolutely massive in Texas. It doesn’t even really matter what sport you’re into, the chances are at some point in the year, you’ll be able to see it in Houston.
Disadvantages
- Traffic
Texas is a big state and Houston is a pretty huge city so to get around, most locals and tourists alike choose to drive. What this means is that there is nearly always some kind of gridlock going on in the city.
- Parking
Similar to the traffic problem, parking can be a huge hassle especially if you’re trying to get close to the key sites or sports stadiums. When you’re looking to book your video shoot location, try and find somewhere with parking included.
- Floods
Although Texas is generally a warm and sunny place, due to its geographical location it is right in the path of quite a few hurricanes. This does tend to lead to pretty heavy flooding during the season so beware.
- Heat
Outside of hurricane season, however, Houston can be very hot. In summer it can be uncomfortably warm for those not used to the Texas sun and humidity levels. If in doubt, stay inside, cover up and find some air conditioning.
- Mosquitoes
With the heat, humidity and crowded state of the city comes the bugs. Specifically pesky mosquitoes who love nothing more than chowing down on unsuspecting locals and tourists. Bring your bug spray.
Famous Locations in Houston
- Discovery Green
If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and just chill on a beautifully kept lawn, head down to Discovery Green. Remember to check what’s going on while you’re there as there’s normally a live concert or event being held there for free.
- Kemah Boardwalk
Looking for more thrills and spills with a more vacation vibe? Hop in the car and head 30 miles south to the Gulf and check out Kemah Boardwalk. With tons of rides, fried foods and amusements it’s great for the whole family.
- Houston Zoo
Houston Zoo is the second most visited zoo in the entire country with 9 million visitors a year. You know 9 million people can’t all be wrong! It’s a great place to spend the day.