Find Filming locations for rent in Minneapolis, MN

About Minneapolis

Minneapolis is both the largest city in Minnesota and the state’s most populous metropolitan area, making it an enticing destination for film production. It offers a vibrant mix of urban living and outdoor activities, perfect for any kind of filming project. Located close to the Mississippi River, Minneapolis is known for its abundance of green spaces, parks, lakes, and riverside trails. It also boasts plenty of cultural attractions such as museums like the Walker Art Center, theaters like the Guthrie Theater, and concert venues like First Avenue. With four distinct seasons and temperatures that range from hot summers to cold winters, Minneapolis has a wide variety of climates to fit any type of scene.

Organizing filming in Minneapolis offers many advantages compared to other popular US cities. With its diverse neighborhoods and streetscapes, filmmakers have access to a broad range of settings with easy access from downtown. Plus, Minneapolis has numerous sound stages that are readily available for production use or potential collaboration with local filmmakers. The city also provides tax incentives for filmmakers who spend more than $100,000 on their projects. This allows them to write off costs associated with their productions such as labor costs, equipment rentals, or even location fees.

Additionally, Minneapolis is home to many local film equipment retailers which help reduce costs while providing quality goods and services. Lastly, there are many talented actors and crew members in Minneapolis who have years of experience working on feature films or commercials. All these benefits combine to make Minneapolis an ideal location for any kind of film production project—from small independent projects to major Hollywood blockbusters!

Filming Options in Minneapolis

• Production Company
  A production company takes charge of the filming process, from start to finish. They can assemble a team of creatives to work on the script, film the production, and edit the recorded footage. They particularly favor companies producing corporate biographies or marketing videos.
  
  
• Equipment Rental
  Film equipment rental companies in Minneapolis provide a large selection of production equipment. From cameras and lenses to sound gear and light kits, they have it all and lease them out to filmmakers at reasonable rates.
  
  
• Catering Services
  With tons of amazing menu options, the catering companies in Minneapolis never disappoint. They can drop off meals to your set, covering everything from breakfast buffets to barbecue dinners.
  
  
• Makeup and Hairstyle
  Continuity is the art of making sure that every detail in a film remains consistent from shot to shot. The goal is to achieve a seamless flow, even if one scene takes several days or weeks to film. Makeup and hairstyle artists in Milwaukee play a crucial role in the continuity process. They also work on physical cast transformations and special effects makeup.
  
  
• Lighting
  The lighting companies in Minneapolis provide the gear needed to illuminate your film set. Most also provide lighting design services as well as the services of technicians to handle the gear.

Filming Vendors in Minneapolis

• Hard Copy Film Co.
  As a professional film production company, Hard Copy Film Co. always strives to deliver the highest quality content possible. Whether it's a wedding video, corporate training guide, or simply a lifestyle advertisement, the award-winning firm puts its heart and soul into every project.
  
  
• Red Star Pictures
  At Red Star Pictures, they work hard to provide filmmakers with everything they need to bring their vision to life. They have locations in Minneapolis, Wisconsin, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Alexandria, so they can act as the single source for all your production needs. The rental business offers equipment from brands like Aputure, Arri, Astera, ETC, Litepanels, Litegear, Kino Flo, RED, Sony, Canon, and Blackmagic Design.
  
  
• Marwa Eshmawy, Makeup + Hair Artist
  As a makeup artist, she specializes in custom blended makeup for weddings, special occasions, proms, runway shows, TV, and films. She also offers hair services, helping clients achieve any desired transformations. Whether you're looking for a classic look or something more modern and edgy, she will work with you to bring your vision to life.

Pros and Cons of Filming in Minneapolis

Now that you know more about Minneapolis and what it has to offer, you can decide if it's the right place to film your project. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of filming in Minneapolis to help you make your decision:

Advantages

• The city has plenty of locations that are suitable for filming, including historical sites, modern skyscrapers, outdoor parks and nature reserves, rural farms, factories or warehouses, etc.
  
  
• There is a wide selection of available soundstages that provide comfortable indoor sets and equipment rentals.
  
  
• The Minnesota State Film Office offers tax incentives that can help offset some costs associated with filming in the area.
  
  
• The city is home to many vibrant neighborhoods that feature unique cultural experiences such as live music venues, restaurants, and shops, perfect for creating authentic backdrops for projects.

Disadvantages

• Weather can be a challenge as the city experiences cold temperatures and snowy conditions during most months of the year.
  
  
• Traffic congestion is an issue that could make it difficult for cast and crew to travel from one location to another during shooting days.
  
  
• Crowds and tourist traffic could become a problem if your filming locations are popular tourist destinations or areas that see heavy foot traffic daily.

Tips on How to Organize Filming in Minneapolis

Now that you know more about Minneapolis and some of the advantages and disadvantages of filming there, here are some tips on how to organize your film sessions:

• Permits: Research the permit and insurance requirements for filming in Minneapolis. Permits are often required to film in Minneapolis, and you may need additional liability insurance if your production involves stunts or large crowds. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the regulations of the area you plan to film in so that you can be sure you have all of the necessary documents and permissions before beginning shooting.
  
  
• Involvement of staff: Hire a local coordinator who can help ensure that shooting runs smoothly. Working with a local production company will also have benefits such as being able to get discounts on equipment rentals and having an experienced team available to help make your project a success.
  
  
• Location scouting: Scout out potential locations ahead of time by taking photos, videos, or even full 360-degree panoramas of each location before filming. This will allow for more accurate pre-production planning, as well as provide reference points during shooting so that there is no confusion about which takes were filmed where.
  
  
• Weather consideration: Prepare for Minnesota weather by booking a backup space if rain or inclement weather makes it impossible to shoot outdoors. Building relationships with local theaters or churches can come in handy in situations like this; they may be willing to rent out their space for filming at discounted rates or even free of charge if it’s for a good cause.
  
  
• Food and drinks: Bring plenty of food on set since crew members should not be expected to work extended hours without sustenance! Investing in snacks and meals for your cast and crew goes a long way toward maintaining morale during long days on set. It's also important from a safety standpoint since many accidents can happen when people are fatigued from hunger or lack of sleep.

Famous Locations in Minneapolis

• Minnehaha Falls Regional Park
  More than 850,000 people visit Minneapolis' Minnehaha Regional Park each year. Limestone bluffs and river overlooks surround the awe-inspiring 53 feet tall falls. Best of all, it's completely free to visit! The Regional Park offers plenty of other fantastic attractions and amenities, including a bandstand, a wading pool, several gardens, historical landmarks, bronze sculptures, and a dog-fenced area. Park-goers have access to biking and hiking trails throughout the park leading to different areas including Fort Snelling State Park.
  
  
• The Guthrie Theater
  The Guthrie Theater has been a vital part of the cultural life of Minneapolis and the surrounding region for over half a century. Under Joseph Haj's artistic leadership, the theater produces a combination of classic and contemporary plays, staged across its three stages. The Guthrie is also dedicated to developing the works of budding playwrights and cultivating upcoming talent within the theatre world.
  
  
• The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
  The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is a must-visit attraction for any art lover visiting the Twin Cities. It's the country's biggest urban sculpture garden, and it has nearly 50 pieces of art on display. That includes the Spoonbridge and Cherry by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, which is 11 acres in size. The garden has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with all-new landscaping, walkways, and lighting designed to be more sustainable and easy to use.