Find Film Shoot locations for rent in Washington, DC

About Washington

Washington, DC, has a long and illustrious history. Located on the Potomac River between Virginia and Maryland, it is claimed to have been chosen by President George Washington personally in 1790. The city is marked by magnificent neoclassical monuments and structures, including the White House, Capitol, and the Supreme Court, among others. It also has several well-known museums and performing arts venues, and a selection of featured locations that have caught the eye of filmmakers around the world.

Despite having a lower population than other cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, Washington, DC remains a popular tourist destination and filming location. Body of Lies, Battleship, Along Came a Spider, National Treasure, and the X-Men series all have utilized filming locations within the city. This includes areas like Northwest Washington and Logan Circle, known not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for housing several film studios and photo studios, catering to both movie and photo shoot needs. This alone demonstrates why DC is one of the greatest places for shooting a film.

Film Shoot Location Options in Washington

Finding a suitable filming location is just one of the first steps in pre-planning a film shoot. Production companies also need to consider the requirements for making movies, from equipment to costumes to makeup professionals.

Audio/Video Equipment
You'll need a good camera, as well as video and audio equipment for your film. If you're just getting started, renting what you need is a better option than purchasing new equipment. There are many equipment and film rental companies in Washington ready to help with productions ranging from indie films to major TV series. Whether you're working in a small space or on a large set, quality gear is crucial.

Film Making Accessories
For efficient filming, you'll need filters, a monitor, portable storage, gaffer tape, work gloves, gimbal stabilizers, and other essential items. These can also be rented in most film equipment rental companies in Washington, DC, and can also be delivered to your location upon request.

Film Editors
Film editing is crucial in the post-production process, and the quality and timeliness of the final output are dependent on their abilities. A film editor will manage sound effects, camera footage, graphics, dialogue, and special effects. They will help you create a finished film or video output. Their expertise is especially valuable for projects filmed in challenging locations.

Film Shoot Location Companies in Washington

Apturent
Apturent aims to deliver excellent camera equipment through a straightforward and convenient rental process, whether you're a hobbyist or a professional. This company offers a comprehensive selection of cameras, lenses, lighting, video, and other equipment. Pick-up is offered in Atlanta, Georgia; Dallas, Texas; and Washington, DC. They also ship everywhere in the United States.

Red Carpet Ready Makeup with Shauné Hayes
Shauné Hayes is the owner and main makeup artist of Red Carpet Ready Makeup with Shauné Hayes. Tom Hanks, Anita Baker, Carlos Santana, Danai Gurira, Rita Wilson, John Legend, and Nancy Pelosi are just a handful of the celebrities she's worked with in the past. With over 15 years of experience, her work has been featured in TLC, Tribune Media, Essence, The Food Network, The Washington Post, and Billboard, among other publications. Brides, publication companies, professional athletes, agencies, and production businesses are among her clients.

Ivania Stack - Costume Design
Ivania Stack is a professional theatrical costume designer residing in the Washington, DC area. For more than 20 years, Ivania has assisted with over 200 performances for over 40 different theaters, and she's always finding new ways to be creative with each new partnership. Arena Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company, The Kennedy Center, Ford's Theatre, and others are among her regional and DC area credits.

Pros and Cons of Film Shoot Locations in Washington

A DC film shoot is bound to be fabulous. Still, it's important to be aware of the pros and cons of filming in Washington so you can be prepared in case any issues arise.

Advantages

Cultural variety is prevalent
Washington, DC is home to a diverse population, ranging from military personnel to politicians and artists. People of many religions, nationalities, and backgrounds live here. If you're filming a feature in the city, you'll find a varied population for your team to work with.

Each of the four seasons
If it's necessary to have all four seasons on your film, Washington has summer, winter, autumn, and spring. No matter what season you need to work in, you won't have to travel anywhere else.

Great location
DC is centrally positioned, making it simple to go to Philadelphia, New York, or Baltimore. It is surrounded by beautiful countryside, with hiking possibilities in Shenandoah National Park, is near Virginia Beach, and offers sailing on the Potomac River. No matter what sort of setting you're looking for, you will find a variety of options and film shoot locations in Washington.

Disadvantages

Washington is expensive
If you are just starting, you may discover that living costs in Washington are greater than in other places. If you have a restricted budget for the film shoot you should be careful with your resources.

Many tourists and traffic
Because Washington has so many wonderful attractions, a large number of visitors come to the city and this adds to the crowds and traffic. Shooting on location in real-time may be more difficult.

Summers are scorching
If you're filming in the summer, make sure to take many pauses, shoot early in the morning or late in the evening if feasible, and take precautions to avoid overheating.

Famous Locations in Washington

National Museum of African American History and Culture
The newest Smithsonian museum focuses on themes of history, culture, and community, and investigates shifting notions of American citizenship and equality, while also showcasing African-American culture and the broader African diaspora. Temporary exhibitions include a variety of topics, including African-American culinary traditions and chefs, the impact of African-American sports figures on the demise of segregation, and African craftsmanship.

National Zoological Park
The National Zoo is part of the Smithsonian Institution, and it houses approximately 2,000 species of animals, birds, and reptiles in settings that are as similar to their native surroundings as possible, rivaling the biodiversity seen in New South Wales. This is one of the greatest zoos in the world, not just for the quality of the experience, but also for its animal care and environmental leadership. The giant pandas are by far the most popular species, but there are also red pandas, zebras, Sumatran tigers, elephants, western lowland gorillas, vultures, Asian elephants, cheetahs, white-naped cranes, and North Island brown kiwis to see.

Washington National Cathedral
The construction of the English-style, Neo-Gothic National Cathedral, one of the world's largest churches, lasted from 1907 to 1990. Washington's highest point is the top of the 300-foot central tower. From the stained-glass windows to the hand-embroidered kneelers commemorating military heroes and historic events, there are creative elements to be found throughout the cathedral. State funerals for Presidents Eisenhower, Reagan, and Ford were held here, and President Woodrow Wilson and Helen Keller were buried in the cathedral.