You'll hear Miami called Magic City because of its significant transformation and growth and the City of Light because of its glittering beaches and vibrant nightlife. Miami is on the Atlantic Ocean, which is why many top restaurants serve delectable seafood fare.
It connects to other South Florida locations, including Star Island, the Lincoln Road Mall on Miami Beach, Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, the Florida Keys, and Key Biscayne Bay. Georgette's Tea Room in Liberty City is a secluded retreat, while Ocean Drive in South Beach is known for its Art Deco architecture.
Miami, FL, is a grand stage for films and television shows; you might have seen the Hard Rock Stadium in "Marley & Me," Bayside Marketplace in "Miami Vice," and the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in "Bad Boys II."
So, the city has a backdrop for your project, whether you are working on a true story highlighting why to arm America's allies or a superhero flick about a villain pursuing their former childhood friend. From the open-air malls in downtown Miami to sites around the Macarthur Causeway, Giggster has 1516 filming locations in Miami.
Giggster's Curated Film Locations in Miami
Miami produced the most memorable scenes we've seen in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," "Burn Notice," "American Crime Story," and "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective." A part of Tony Stark's world included a custom-built mansion in Malibu, where he tracked a formidable terrorist called Mandarin. Dexter Morgan, a forensics expert turned serial killer, hunted dangerous criminal masterminds around Miami. The big screen has cast a light on various Miami locations, and Giggster can connect you to a backdrop for your beach scene or high-speed chase.
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Does your story center on a group of young men working on a race car, like Cop Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) and the "Fast & Furious" team? Rent a parking lot to film scenes for your street racer flick. Search for a filming location that has space for large vehicles.
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Miami Vice detectives Crockett (Don Johnson) and Rico Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) helped showcase the Greater Miami landscape. Recreate some of the show's thrilling boat scenes aboard a yacht; it's the perfect "moving film set" for a movie about a private investigator who relies on this unique mode of travel.
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Does your plot involve an estranged family, or are you shooting a music video that needs a coastal setting? Book a waterfront mansion to film your major scenes, including stunning water shots. A wooden deck provides an ideal backdrop for photography shoots.
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A ranch-style home is the best backdrop for a rustic-themed shoot; it's an added plus if there are stables with horses! A versatile venue such as this can also host an engagement proposal, wedding reception, or bachelor party.
Transform Your Music Videos in Miami Starting at Just $19 USD/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Miami contributed to the cinematic quality of "Miami Vice," "Bad Boys II," and "Burn Notice." Giggster can help you find similar scenic backdrops across Ocean Drive to Miami Beach.
Hassle-Free Booking: Thanks to a straightforward booking process, you can quickly move from location scouting to filming.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: If you cancel 24 hours before your booking, you won't have to pay any fees; book locations like our Industrial Daylight Loft & Outdoor Rooftop Wynwood without worrying about paying cancelation fees.
Platform Protections: Get optional liability backing to protect your booking against cancelations and possible damage when filming at the property.
Pros and Cons of Film Shoots in Miami
Robert de Niro, Dwayne Johnson, Owen Wilson, Andy Garcia, Nathan Lane, Jamie Foxx, and Cameron Diaz have all graced productions filmed around Miami. On several occasions, Frank Sinatra performed at a Fontainebleau club, LaRonde Supper. These tidbits give Magic City a big thumbs up as a production location, and Giggster can help you locate the best spaces across downtown Miami to Miami Beach. Still, it helps to know what to expect from your booking and how to solve challenges.
Advantages
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You have to create a solid transport logistics plan to sail past the traffic in Miami. One way to minimize movements is to stick to one filming location, and you can also schedule early production calls.
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The lovely Miami weather is an excellent reason to explore outdoor filming locations, including the white sand beaches along Ocean Drive in South Beach.
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Miami has an ever-growing and established job market. You can fill cast and crew positions locally from the diverse talent pool.
Disadvantages
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You'll need a transport logistics plan to navigate Miami traffic. Start shoots early to avoid rush hour, and if possible, film in one location.
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Miami's tropical climate takes a turn in summer when temperature and humidity levels rise. If you must film outdoors, get tents and portable air conditioning systems to keep the crew and cast comfortable and protect equipment.
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Hire production vehicles for the duration of your shoot. The public transit system, including Metrobus, Metrorail, and Metromover, only serves some city neighborhoods.
The Best Filming Locations in Miami
Various locations can host film shoots, from the restaurants and bars along Lincoln Road to luxury hotels in Miami Beach that could give Mandarin Oriental a run for its money. Giggster can help narrow your options and connect you with the best film locations in Miami, FL. If you are still trying to determine which setting works for your production, these ideas can help.
Hotels – Cooking Movies/Shows. "Chef," a 2014 movie about a head chef who quits his restaurant job to buy a food truck, filmed scenes at the Fontainebleau Hotel and Versailles Restaurant in Calle Ocho, Little Havana. It's the perfect example of using a hotel as a film backdrop, and the setting also works for cooking competition shows.
Malls – Car Chase Scenes. In a "Bad Boys II" scene, Mark Burnett (Martin Lawrence) and his partner Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) pursue a Haitian gang's transporter in a high-speed chase at the Dadeland Mall. The Bad Boys example shows how a mall's parking lot can provide the backdrop for a thrilling scene.
Mansions – Movie Scenes. In "Scarface, " Tony Montana (Al Pacino) lived in a lavish El Furedis. While the tale unfolds in Miami, the Roman-style Santa Barbara mansion provides the backdrop for the exteriors, revealing how a house can play an integral role in film production.
Stadiums – TV Shows. During its run, "Burn Notice" was filmed in several locations, including Miami Beach and the Miami Marine Stadium. Sports arenas are flexible film shoot backdrops suitable for everything from filming actual athletic games to practice sessions and other dramatized scenes.
Film Studios – Movies. Most film shoots will film several scenes at a studio, particularly interior sequences that need a controlled setting. They usually come fully equipped, and most provide the services of a team of skilled professionals. Book a studio location starting at $19 USD/hour.
Planning Your Film Shoot in Miami
Vice City has some of the most scenic filming locations, and Giggster can connect you to the best production setting. Here is some inspiration to help you choose the best film backdrop in Miami, FL.
Location Scout – The location scouting process describes looking for filming backdrops outside the studio setting. Beyond searching for film settings, it involves looking for exciting and eye-catching places. The method includes a "go-see" or "recce," when different production departments, particularly sound, lights, and video, visit physically to assess technical suitability.
Schedule a Test Shoot – Performing a test shoot can happen during the location recce when the director and a few actors or crew members record some of the scenes. It allows you to experiment with shots, identify light or sound problems, and determine your needed props.
Diversify Locations – Whether a film, documentary, or TV show, you'll need at least two different shoot locations. Choose downtown Miami spaces for establishing shots and studio settings for interior shots.
Plan a Wrap Party – It would be a shame to produce a film in a city known for its nightlife and not party with your team! Celebrate wrapping your shoot by throwing a grand party.
Saving Money on Your Film Shoot in Miami
Miami and affordability don't often go together when producing music videos or films. Use these budget-friendly tips to reduce production costs and create a professional video.
Learn from the Miami Vice production challenges.
The 2006 film Miami Vice, starring Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell, experienced production delays caused by hurricanes. Several reshoots and cast payment renegotiations also hiked the production budget. The bottom line is that cast payments and shoot delays can significantly raise filming costs. Seal the contracts early enough and have backup locations for inclement conditions.
Consider South Beach and other South Florida locations.
Widen your search, and you'll find affordable options in South Beach and other South Florida cities. It also allows you to discover hidden gems you would have otherwise overlooked.
Hire instead of buy.
Equipment and props are some of the high-budget costs; rent high-end gear at a fraction of the cost and access technical support services.
Miami Film Shoots with Giggster
Giggster has various filming locations across downtown Miami, Miami Beach, and beyond! Browse the app to see our curated lists of the top production locations to kickstart your pre-production process.
