It's no surprise that New York City is one of the biggest cities in the world and there's no lack of production offices and up-and-coming filmmakers in the city. For anyone who is interested in the world of art, in all its mediums, New York has plenty of opportunities. And it also has the venues and facilities one might require.
From gorgeous daytime studios in midtown Manhattan with a huge cyc wall and a super bright atmosphere for both photo shoots and video shoots to a hip studio that is also equipped with a sound stage and a recording studio in addition to a basement film studio, Giggster really has it all. An '80s retro pink and white studio or a fully furnished loft in Greenwich Village each has its own kind of feel.
If you're interested in finding the perfect location to film in New York, then Giggster will certainly be able to help you. And it can accommodate your budget and all your other needs while doing so!
Whether in Long Island City or in the center of Manhattan, Giggster has hundreds of studios with state-of-the-art facilities and a distinctive ambiance to cater to all your needs.
A podcast interview space set up with warm lighting and comfortable chairs and tables is designed to put the people being interviewed at ease.
On the other hand, a lush creative studio in the heart of midtown with bits of greenery scattered everywhere is truly a passionate artist's playground.
An industrial penthouse studio with multiple sets not only has a designated dressing room but also access to the rooftop with a view of the New York City skyline.
A standing hospital set, jail set, or interrogation room set means less work for you in bringing in and setting up props.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: From a historic brick loft with huge windows in Brooklyn to a studio set up to look like a luxurious private jet, Giggster's 2329 options can provide any location you need.
Hassle-Free Booking: The Giggster site is easily navigated and has all kinds of information, from the amount of square feet of floor space to the price. Venues start at just $20/hour!
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: A production works on a tight schedule and budget and anything that affects that is a problem. Thus, we allow free cancellation within 24 hours of confirmation as long as you've booked at least 48 hours prior to the event.
Platform Protections: In addition to that, the Giggster site also provides optional protection against damages and liabilities so book Spacious Bright Photo Video Studio in Chelsea without worrying about such details.
Looking for a flex space where you can consult with your team and shoot as well? Giggster's 2329 spaces can help you find the most versatile locations!
Commercials – Convenient Backdrops. From blank natural white studios with a white background to a sprawling culinary studio, there's no limit to the kind of spaces in which you can shoot a commercial or advertisement.
Film/TV – The Perfect Setting. Given that many studios come equipped not only with multiple sets and the proper lighting and audio equipment but also with a dressing room or green room, it's no wonder that film studios are such hot commodities in this day and age. After all, you're trying to get as much work done as possible in one space.
Photo Shoots – Dramatic Backgrounds. There's no law that you can't do photography in a film studio. A stunning studio loft with elegant furniture is the perfect place for a wedding photo shoot or a pregnancy shoot to share with friends and family.
Music Videos – Fun and Trendy. When a film studio comes with a conjoined recording studio, sound stage, and production offices, you don't need anything else to produce your new album! But even if you're looking for something specific, like the interior of a private jet, we can help you there as well.
Podcasts – State-of-the-art Facility. Comfortable surroundings and excellent acoustics are the keys to a good podcast episode. With that medium becoming so popular, there are now studios all over New York that cater specifically to that.
Now that we've covered the kinds of studios and the kinds of activities they are fit for, there's also the matter of their best features and amenities.
How much room does the space have? Production studios don't need to fit dozens of people but there should be enough room for your cast and crew. Check out the amount of floor space before booking!
What facilities should you expect? From sunlight pouring in through large windows in a daylight studio to support spaces like multi-stall restrooms, conference rooms, a green room, or a soundproof soundstage ranging in size from small to large, these elements might be necessary for your shoot.
Can you scope it out ahead of time? You only get access to the studio for so many hours and you don't want to waste that time. Thus, if you can visit the studio beforehand, visualize your shots, and check out amenities like a drive-in entrance or office space—take advantage of it!
NYC is a popular filming spot, and that alone will give your film an edge. However, there are still a couple of downsides to shooting in a film studio in NYC:
Advantages
The sheer variety of venues means that you can find the perfect sets for your feature films or television production.
There's no need to navigate the whole mess of permits and licenses if you're shooting in a private studio!
If there's any kind of equipment you don't have on hand, you can easily find a rental company that stores it.
Disadvantages
The biggest con of bustling New York? The best studios get booked out months in advance!
In some cases, a studio just isn't enough and you might need to head outdoors for a more lively aura.
Finding parking spaces in New York is never a guarantee and if you're hauling all your equipment around on public transport, that can get annoying fast!
Projects like shooting a film or even a commercial is a huge undertaking. That doesn't mean you should be scared off by it. Just trying to be organized goes a long way!
Do a Script Breakdown – This is obviously the first step of your planning since breaking down the script will give you a proper idea of what kind of locations you'll need, how many actors you'll have to employ, and how well you can group scenes together. In short, without this step, you'll be stuck and disorganized.
Find the Location – As we've already seen, there's no shortage of studios in and around New York but which one is best suited to your needs will depend on your budget and vision. We can tell you that it's always easier if the studio is conveniently located in the city center rather than on the outskirts.
Engage Cast and Crew – The best crew and actors are in high demand and might have a lot of projects on their hands. This means scheduling against their commitments and making sure that they're available on the dates you need them and that comes from honest communication beforehand.
Set Up the Space – No matter how fully equipped the studio might be, there are some things that you have to take care of at the last minute, like setting up the lighting and grip equipment and adjusting any props that you might be using.
Making small-budget independent films is a passion project that needs tremendous work. Maybe you can't spend a lot of money, but you can always make up for that with your creativity and planning!
Employ a local crew.
You're already starting out with an advantage that you're in New York so there's no need to fly in cast and crew from other parts of the country and put them up in a hotel. There are stellar technicians and camera people working in New York and they'll be happy to work on a script that appeals to them.
Get your friends and family to help out.
First of all, your friends and family can pool in to help finance your shoot. But even apart from that, if you've got someone in mind who would be well-suited to a particular role, don't be afraid to at least ask!
Shoot in one location.
Hop-skipping around the whole city and shooting in a dozen different locations immediately kicks your expenses up! Rather than that, work out a flexible space where you can shoot multiple scenes—perhaps all your scenes—in one go.
From a blackout studio with flood lights and neon rope lights in Long Island City to a studio space with a kitchen for culinary shows, Giggster's NYC locations can give you everything that you might need for a phenomenal production. So get booking now!