All About Renting a Filming Location in Vancouver, British Columbia
Make no bones about it—Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. This west coast stunner combines the high-rise urban jungle with spectacular water views, soaring mountains, and pretty parks, making it a fantastically photogenic location.
So if you're on the hunt for great filming locations in Vancouver, including urban and rural settings as well as indoor and outdoor spots, rest assured that you're in the perfect place. Whether you're on rugged Vancouver Island or on the bustling streets of Gastown, this coastal city is overflowing with creative film locations and possibilities.
Perhaps that's why productions ranging from the Twilight saga to X-men have filmed in the Vancouver area. And if you're searching for the best filming locations in Vancouver, Giggster has got you covered with countless great possibilities.
Incredible Vancouver Filming Locations Curated by Giggster
The west coast of Canada, and the Vancouver region in particular, is a gorgeous part of the world. From the beautiful Campbell River and Nanaimo River to the high rises of downtown and suburbs that have a small-town feel, there's no shortage of possibilities at your disposal. And with countless locations to choose from on the Giggster app, finding the right setting for a TV series, music video, or any other location is a piece of cake.
-
Filming a TV cooking show and want something with a homey and welcoming feel? A warm and inviting kitchen and patio with exposed wooden beams fits the bill perfectly.
-
If you're searching for a unique and sophisticated location for a fashion shoot, a charming and award-winning modern home with an atrium and roof deck offers a host of unique backdrops.
-
Smooth concrete floors, shelves lining the walls, and large windows letting in lots of natural light—there's a lot to like about an empty warehouse space for a music video or film shoot.
-
Give your audience an insight into how the other half live by hiring a stunning and contemporary west coast mansion. Luxe living at its finest!
Amazing Filming Locations Starting at Just $18 CAD/hour
-
Exceptional Variety & Quality: There are 566 popular filming location options to choose from on the Giggster app, each of which can help you capture the ideal look and feel you want for the small or big screen.
-
Hassle-Free Booking: You don't need the smarts of Dana Scully or the investigative wile of Fox Mulder to book filming locations on the Giggster app. Simply use the handy search filters to find sites that match your requirements, then contact the host directly if you need any extra details.
-
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: There are a lot of moving parts to any film shoot, which is why we offer the freedom of free cancellations within 24 hours of confirming your booking—provided that you make your booking at least 48 hours prior to your event date.
-
Platform Protections: Some shoots can be more unpredictable than the Vancouver Island weather, so give yourself some extra protection by adding damage, liability, and cancellation protection to your booking.
The Best Events for Filming Locations in Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver is perfectly suited to much more than just films. Here are some of the creative projects that can be filmed downtown or in more rural locations a little further afield.
-
Wilderness Adventure Show – Leave Civilization Behind. Have you ever watched any episodes of the TV series Alone that were filmed on the ruggedly beautiful Vancouver Island? Spend a few minutes admiring the stunning visuals and you'll see why it's such a popular filming location—and one of many great outdoor filming locations in Vancouver.
-
Movie – Big-Budget Production. Vancouver is known as Hollywood North, and big movies like Twilight: New Moon, X-men, Arrow (based on the DC Comics character Green Arrow) and many others have filmed here. And if you're searching for a unique space for your next film, Gastown Brick & Beam Heritage Loft might just offer the special setting you want.
-
Music Video Shoot – Music Meets the Metropolis. Searching for gritty urban vibes, artsy cultural hubs, or vibrant dining and entertainment precincts? Vancouver has all of those in spades for your next video shoot.
-
TV Commercial – Stand out From the Crowd. From urban laneways to lush forests, busy bars to quiet suburban streets, high-end studios to downtown lofts, you'll find a diverse range of spaces in which to shoot a TV commercial in the wider Vancouver area.
-
Podcast – Hit "Record". Need to record the audio and video for your new podcast? Search for a studio space that offers the right look, feel, and equipment for your production.
Top Features to Look for in a Vancouver Filming Location
What key features make a Vancouver filming site right for you? Keep an eye out for the following.
Find the best look and atmosphere. The best location for you will not just offer the perfect on-screen appearance; it'll also offer the right ambiance for the scenes you want to capture. Whether that means professional corporate vibes, moody and mysterious thriller shots, or anything else, shop around for the site that fits your needs.
Accessibility is key. Look for a filming spot in a central location (if possible) that's easy for all your cast, crew (and gear) to access.
Think about price carefully. Keep your budget at the top of your list of considerations at all times—only ever consider filming locations that fit well within your spending limit.
Things to Consider for Renting a Filming Location in Vancouver
Templeton Secondary School featured in the Smallville tv series. The UBC War Memorial Gym in Taken. Royal Roads University and Hatley Castle in X-men. The Art Deco Marine Building in Fantastic Four. Vancouver Island in The Last Stand. The Chan Centre in 50 Shades of Grey. These and a host of other locations have featured in films and TV series shot in Vancouver, but there are also reasons why you might want to consider other options.
Advantages
-
Vancouver is home to a thriving film industry, so it's easy to find experienced creative professionals in the local area who can help with your production.
-
From urban to rural locations, Vancouver has filming sites to suit a huge variety of projects.
-
Tax incentives also make Vancouver an attractive location for filmmakers.
Disadvantages
-
The most popular filming locations in Vancouver book out a long time in advance, so you'll need to get in early to be sure of getting the space you want.
-
Highly sought-after locations in Vancouver are expensive, so you may need to expand your budget.
-
You'll also need to take traffic congestion, parking, and permit considerations into account if filming in the downtown area.
Planning Your Vancouver Film Shoot
You need to tick off a whole lot of important tasks to organize a successful shoot, so here are some of the key jobs to add to your must-do list.
Develop Your Vision – Develop a clear picture of what your finished film project will look like before moving on to the next steps.
Calculate Your Budget – Grab a calculator and work out how much you can realistically afford to spend on your project.
Book a Filming Location – Download the Giggster app so you can shop around to find the ideal setting for your project, and contact the host directly if you need any extra info before booking.
Organize Cast and Crew – Make-up artists, hairdressers, camera operators, lighting technicians, and on-screen talent—make sure all the cast and crew members you need are locked and loaded for the first day of shooting.
Sort the Finer Details – If you need to hire props, book catering, or source extra equipment for your shoot, make those arrangements now.
How to Save Money on a Filming Location Rental
Even major production companies like Warner Bros need to keep their budget in mind at all times when filming. So regardless of the scope of your project, keep these tips in mind to avoid breaking the bank.
Can you shop around?
Compare a wide range of filming locations before deciding on the right one for you. Venues on the Giggster app start from as little as $18 CAD/hour, so shopping around can really help you save.
Be disciplined in your spending.
Your budget is here for a reason, so don't get drawn into spending more than you can need or afford. Be disciplined with your financial management and hold out for a better deal.
Be flexible with the date.
If your schedule allows, being flexible with your shooting date can lead to big savings. Moving to a date and time outside of peak periods could do your bank balance a big favor.
Plan Your Vancouver Film Shoot with Giggster
Want to take your next project to the next level? Find great filming locations in Vancouver, British Columbia, on the Giggster app today. Known for its incredible scenery, finding a marvelous locale is just a few clicks away.
