Find Film Shoot locations for rent near me

About Film Shoots

From conceptualizing an idea and penning down an award-winning script to assembling the best pre-production, production, and post-production teams—it's fair to say that a lot goes into the process of organizing a film shoot.

Planning an on-location film production is often likened to organizing a circus. Both bring together a collection of skilled people and props to stage a grand performance against the backdrop of an ideal setting. However, film shoots vary in nature, which means that you'll require different specific locations, be it a green screen room, vintage vehicle, or a mid-century abode.

Scouting locations for a film can be a time-consuming and tedious process. Often, you'll need at least two or more locations to bring your project to life. Many times, a director would already have a specific place in mind when visualizing the script. Featured locations on film and TV are Los Angeles, New York City, San Diego, Philadelphia, and Houston, all of which are prime locations for filming for various reasons like excellent filming infrastructure, film-friendly creative industries, scenic landscapes, and versatile environments.

The key to securing the perfect location for your film is to search for locations weeks or months in advance. Popular film shoot locations get fully booked easily and will most likely require filming permits and fees, so take this into account when making a timeline for your project.

The Best Film Shoot Venues

Film locations vary greatly depending on what the scene calls for. For example, an interior shot of a home can be filmed inside an actual house or a film studio outfitted with furniture and props. It is the job of the location scouts to not only find these specific spaces but also handle the permits and logistics required to secure them properly. The following are some of the film settings that are easy to find regardless of which city you're in.

Empty Parking Structures
With a creative project lined up, a parking structure provides a large enough site for your scheduled activities. Whether you want to film a dance shoot or video production that involves a large number of extras, or perhaps you want to build a specialized set from scratch, an empty parking lot will serve as the perfect film (or photo shoot) location.

Vintage Cars
Whether you're filming a historical drama or a music video, you can't go wrong with having a vintage car on set. Vintage cars are often used as props in hip-hop music videos or fashion photo shoots and are effective in instantly sprucing up an otherwise plain set. Consider renting an eye-catching 1982 Pink Corvette for your scheduled creative project.

Loft Studios
A loft studio often has high ceilings, plenty of light, and lots of space which are all aspects needed for a good film or photo shoot. By using the right props, furniture, and lighting, you can transform a simple loft studio into a film location that matches your vision.

Unfurnished Homes
Renting a home for a film shoot gives you access to several filming locations rolled up in one. In any city, you’ll come across selections of stunning houses varying in style, such as mid-century, minimalistic, Old Hollywood, Craftsman, Gothic, and more. A majority of these rentable houses feature minimal furnishings so you can tailor them as you see fit for your story.

Fully-Furnished Homes
Using a fully-furnished home as a film shoot space can save you the hassle of dressing it up yourself which can often turn out to be costly. Look for residences that are tastefully furnished and have a homey feel. With so many options to choose from, you'll undoubtedly find one that will work for your goal.

What to Look for in Film Shoot Spaces

A film shoot brings together producers, directors, camera operators, talent, and several other professionals. Regardless of the project's scale, you'll always need a spacious location or studio to accommodate everyone. This is why finding the right location during the pre-planning process is a crucial part of location management in film. If you've been assigned to scout locations, look for the following qualities in a potential filming location:

Capacity
If you'll be coming with a crew, you'll need a spacious video shoot location even if you are working on a small indie project. Film gear like lighting can easily take up space and make things uncomfortable for everyone. Account for the crew, cast, supplies, and equipment when scouring around for suitable film locations.

Accessibility
It's wise to search for an easily accessible filming location. It reduces the expenses needed for transportation, prevents your team from hauling huge equipment across long distances, and helps avoid wasting time when moving between locations.

Amenities
Certain amenities like access to functioning power outlets and heating/cooling systems are non-negotiable when organizing a film shoot. Other perks like parking, Wi-Fi, and access to kitchen facilities are an added plus. Again, it depends on your preference but most locations don’t disappoint because they come bundled with these amenities.

Parking
It's crucial to find a filming location where you can easily park your vehicles. Having access to a dedicated parking lot not only makes it easy to transport and haul filming equipment but also allows your cast and crew to set up caravans where they can eat and rest in between shoots.

Ambiance
Finding a location with the right ambiance and furnishings reduces the work that goes into converting the space for your intended purpose. By doing this, you'll save some of your budget as you won't need to rent as many props to create your desired look.

Film Shoot Inspiration

Need some inspiration on where to shoot your next video or film project? Consider the following scenarios to ward off that creative slump:

Dance Shoots on Rooftops
A rooftop property provides the perfect vantage point to create establishing shots, music videos, brawl scenes, dance shoots, and interviews. It equally works for chase scenes, as in films like Vertigo, The Matrix, and Skyfall.

Horror Videos in Wine Cellars or Basements
Wine cellars and basements are perfect spaces for making chilling thrillers or horror scenes. The image of walking down into a dark, abandoned space in a house has been used several times in scary movies, yet is still a very effective horror trope.

Productions in Vintage Bathrooms
Some restored locations have Art Deco or vintage-inspired bathrooms that would serve as great sets for historical scenes. With proper set dressing, a bathroom location can also work for a music video or horror movie scene.

Video Shoots in Home Offices
A home office is a versatile space that can function as a private investigator's office in a film or as a backdrop for a video interview. Generally, any setting requiring an office setup can work here.

Filming at a Movie Theater
If your film involves characters going into the movies, then your local movie theater would be your best location for this scene. Many small independent theaters are more than happy to be used as film locations as long as you're shooting on days when there are no showings.