The Complete Music Video Space Rental Guide
Imagine your music video set against the backdrop of Montreal’s iconic landmarks, like the famous Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal or the notable Old Port. It’s like a slice of Europe in North America, with cobblestone streets, old-school buildings on narrow lanes, and an artsy feel, suitable for pretty much any video you have in mind.
You’ve got a good concept, a catchy song, and an energetic choreography but don’t know where to shoot? Giggster has you covered, featuring some of the best music video spaces in Montreal, Canada. From a modern, fully equipped recording studio in Downtown Montreal to historic buildings with Art Deco architecture, floral gardens, and private galleries, you’re sure to find the ideal spot that's easy on your wallet and will bring your creative vision to life.
Let your creativity soar with our selection of music video locations. Explore your options on the Giggster app and create something you’ll be proud of and will continue to be relevant for years.
Why Choose Giggster for Music Video
Are you ready to capture the magic of Montreal in your next video shoot? We did all the digging and listing, so you don’t have to. Just browse and pick a photo studio or any location that works best for your project. If you don’t know where to start, here are a few options you’ll find on Giggster.
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Housed in a century-old factory is a photography studio for visual creatives. Two large windows provide lots of natural light, but there are blackout curtains if you want a dim look. There’s also a full kitchen with cups, glasses, and utensils, so you can prepare food when the crew gets hungry.
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Are you going for a retro vibe, or do you want to create a video that focuses on the excitement and fun of playing arcade games? Look for a hip arcade hidden in the back of a rustic industrial workshop, suitable for a film production or photo shoot.
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Just steps away from the cultural district of Quartier des Spectacles, you’ll find an underground private lounge nestled in one of Montreal’s heritage buildings. Imagine wooden floors, authentic stone walls, and an original fireplace with spaces for private gatherings, team-building activities, photo shoots, and making music and corporate videos.
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A photo studio and an event space in one is all you need for your creative endeavors and social functions. Even if you’re not in the film industry, you’ll fall in love with a studio that features a fantastic combination of modern and vintage furniture and props.
Plan an Amazing Music Video Starting at Just $25 CAD/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: From private rooms and top-notch studios with tried-and-tested video production services to luxury-style lofts and cottage-style homes, Giggster has 464 hand-picked venues for filming, photo shoots, and events. We give you access to a treasure trove of amazing locations you can book for as low as $25 CAD/hour on the Giggster app.
Hassle-Free Booking: Our Giggster platform is intuitive and user-friendly, so you can quickly find what you’re looking for based on your budget and needs, check availability, and secure your chosen location in just a few clicks.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Plans can change unexpectedly—we get it. That’s why we give you the flexibility and freedom to reschedule or cancel your booking within 24 hours of confirmation and get a full refund, provided the booking is made at least 48 hours before the shoot.
Platform Protections: We want you to feel confident when you book a venue like Versatile, Bright open studio with cyclorama on Giggster and not worry about liability issues if something goes wrong. This is possible when you take advantage of our optional protection packages.
Choosing the Right Type of Location for a Music Video
Whether it’s your first project or you have extensive experience doing music videos and short films, you know how important a location is to elevate the storytelling experience and transform the video from ‘meh’ to something mind-blowing. There are tons of creative and budget-friendly options in Montreal, so let’s uncover some of them.
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Studios – Where the Magic Begins. Studios are, without a doubt, the ultimate creative playground. It's like a blank canvas you can style and decorate to your heart's desire based on whatever look, vibe, and tone of the video you seek. Even if you start shooting somewhere else, you’ll end up in a studio during post-production.
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Rooftops – Take Your Music to New Heights. Rooftop spaces bring a different energy and life to a music video. You have the views of Montreal’s heritage buildings, Mount Royal, and the surrounding downtown as your background, plus the natural light during sunrise or sunset. Nothing stops you from creating spectacular visuals up there.
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Homes and Apartments – Intimate Settings, Personal Stories. Do you have a personal story to tell, or are you exploring themes of love, reflection, or loss? Film in a cozy home or apartment in this magnificent city to create a connection with the viewers. Why spend on props when most house venues on Giggster are fully furnished? Just bring your camera and crew and get ready to shoot.
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Meeting Rooms – Think Outside the Boardroom. Meeting rooms aren’t just for work-related events. They may seem dull and boring but those clean lines, minimalist designs, and often quirky architecture may be what you need for your next music video. Transform them into something artistic and creative.
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Outdoor Spaces – Fresh Air, New Sounds. Parks, gardens, city streets, mountains, fields, and more—a world of possibilities is waiting for you. You have an endless supply of backdrops, fresh air, natural light, and a sense of freedom that will enhance your music.
Music Video Location Must-Haves
The location is more than just scenery or a backdrop—it’s a character in your video that helps bring the story to life. Buy, how do you choose the right one for your project? Allow us to walk you through the key things to consider when scouting a location.
Does it fit the song? Do a quick vibe check. Does it match the song’s mood, lyrics, and overall mood? A cute, bubbly pop song won’t work in a spooky abandoned warehouse (unless of course that’s the point).
Is it accessible? Not only should you be able to get to the location quickly and easily, but you should also ensure that your equipment and props can get in and out of the space with ease. Tons of stairs and narrow hallways can also be a nightmare.
Safety first! Okay, it has the right vibe and it’s pretty accessible, but is it safe for everyone and your pricey filming gear? Keep an eye out for potential hazards like loose wiring or uneven surfaces; you won't want your cast and crew worrying about their safety while filming, especially if dancing is involved.
How to Plan a Music Video
Whether it’s for your own group or single, a friend’s track, or a fun creative project, making a music video isn’t a walk in the park. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially if it’s you're doing it for the first time. But don’t worry—we have your back with our easy planning tips:
Listen and Visualize – This is vital during the pre-production process. Play the music and listen to it multiple times. Pay attention to the lyrics, melody, rhythm, and overall mood. What story does it tell and what emotions does it evoke? Work with the artist and have an open discussion about their vision for the video to help you develop a concept.
Set the Budget – Know how much you’ll be working on for the music video. It will influence most of your choices, from the location and equipment to the crew and other resources.
Who’s on the Team? – A music video isn’t a one-man job, so no matter how creative and imaginative you are, you need a team to make it work. But don't hire just any camera operator, director of photography, lighting technician, makeup artist, or stylist—pick the ones you feel comfortable working with and can meet your budget.
Enjoy the Shoot – A lot of things go into the shooting, but once you’re on set and the camera rolls, leave all the stress behind. Have fun and let your imagination run wild.
Music Video Hidden Costs
When planning your music video production, venue fees and rentals are probably at the top of your list, and that’s a fantastic starting point! However, there are some sneaky expenses that can creep in and throw your budget off balance. Instead of wondering where all your filming funds went, let’s dive into some hidden costs you should keep an eye on.
Getting to the location.
How will the crew and their equipment travel between locations? You may need to rent a bus or organize a shuttle service. Although you’re filming within the city center, you can’t rely on public transportation to move the equipment, and if the team has their own cars, gas, tolls, and parking fees can stack up.
A fed crew is a happy crew.
The more crew members and performers to feed, the bigger the budget you’ll need. Whether it’s a heart meal or just some snacks and sandwiches, you want to have quality food that will keep them satisfied and happy.
Have you got the permits?
If you think that once you have the location permit, you’re all set, think again! Besides the venue permits, you have to budget for other permits like the use of drones, special effects, or if you plan to do the music shoot in public areas.
Plan Your Music Video with Giggster
Browse through tons of unique Montreal music video spaces, get inspired, and book the perfect backdrop for your next masterpiece on the Giggster app. Discover your dream venue today, and create something beyond amazing.
