About Miami
Miami, Florida, is a beautiful city with a multicultural environment. The population, history, and beaches make it a popular vacation destination. It is also known as one of the best music video location spots in Florida. This city has a great entertainment and music industry with plenty of videos filmed each day. Directors can opt for these unique spaces to capture some stunning photo shoots and film shoots.
The beauty of the space allows filmmakers to use plenty of locations as backdrops for their music video productions. Apart from traditional outdoor areas in Miami, there are also many unique indoor spaces available for film crews to utilize. Various warehouses around town have been transformed into working production spaces filled with lighting rigs and sound systems ideally suited for filming music videos. Additionally, there are colorful art deco buildings, the stunning downtown Miami skyline, Wynwood Walls, and Miami Beach for inspiration. Thankfully the studio space available in the downtown Miami area has ample room for a short film, photoshoot, video space, and an area to host a talk show or an episode for live TV.
In addition to these pre-made studio structures, a private home location can be easily rented out to fit any creative concept or aesthetic desired by music video directors. In recent years, Miami has become an increasingly popular destination for international artists who want to create content in a visually stunning location rather than a studio.
Music Video Options in Miami
- Equipment Rental
It shouldn’t be surprising that even the biggest musicians on the planet turn to rental companies for filming gear. Music and filming equipment often take up a chunk of the production budget, and the best way to reduce these costs is by renting rather than buying. The equipment rental companies in Miami have you covered whether you need microphones, mixers, cameras, lenses, or other accessories for your film. These companies can also deliver to your film space or location and ensure everything is picked up later.
- Catering
Producing a music video is similar to working on any other type of film project. You have a cast and crew who need to recharge at regular intervals to boost their productivity. Teaming up with a catering company in Miami ensures that your music video shoot is supplied with snacks and selections of delicious meals.
- Talent
Most music videos include muse/talent; a talent agency can link you with the right professionals for your project. Whether you want to work with models or regular folks for your film, the talent agencies in Miami can handle your staffing needs.
Music Video Vendors in Miami
- Regulus Films
Regulus Films is the company you should contact to produce your music video in Miami. They are centrally located, usually respond within the hour, and are great at shooting at an off-beat location.
- Movie Prop Rentals
Movie Prop Rentals is your one-stop shop for set design, set builds, custom props, and prop rentals. They have an extensive inventory of props (including Art Deco) for rent and pride themselves on being leaders in set builds and fabrication. Their range of services also includes lighting design for product photography.
- Chef’s Delights
Chef’s Delights can take care of the food, coffee, tea, and snack requirements. If you’re planning a sandy shoot about life near Miami Beach, get some barbecue catered for everyone present.
Pros and Cons of Music Videos in Miami
Selecting a music video location comes with many things to consider. The pros and cons of each option should be considered before making a decision.
Advantages
- Miami's music video scene is one of the most vibrant and creative in the country. Downtown Miami is known for its photo shoots, art galleries, South Beach, and plentiful natural light.
- Many equipment rental companies in Miami can provide everything you need for music video shoots, lifestyle shoots, productions, social mixers, film sets, or fashion boutiques. They can also help with equipment for corporate meetings and yoga classes at Miami Beach.
- Catering firms in Miami can feed your cast and crew during the shoot or short film in a studio, a building lobby, or an outside shooting space like the Everglades National Park.
- Some music and video studios in Miami can help you with your production, photo shoots, social media content, film, and more.
Disadvantages
- Miami has had many hurricanes, which are a potential threat. You should check the weather each hour to protect the crew and equipment.
- The city is home to several production studios and content creators who choose a long term lease, making it difficult to find space. If you find a studio with affordable rent, it’s best to book it within the hour.
- Music videos are also popular, so competition for resources and services can be fierce. Many locations in Miami may be booked a year in advance.
- Permits and logistics can be quite complex for the city's downtown area, Miami Beach, and the Convention Center.
Tips on How to Organize Music Videos in Miami: The Best Locations
Organizing music videos in Miami can be challenging. Most local talent can benefit from the opportunities available.
- Find the right venue: When looking for a venue, consider the kind of experience you want your guests to have. Is it a low-key event? Or would you prefer something more flashy? Book it early once you’ve chosen the perfect spot, as many locations tend to fill up quickly.
- Create a budget: Before shooting anything, create a comprehensive budget for your project that covers all aspects of production, such as equipment rental fees, travel costs, staff salaries, etc. Some locations like Biscayne Bay, Vizcaya Museum, the Design District, or a Venetian pool may be more expensive to rent than others, so it’s best to finalize the location in Miami first.
- Book professional talent: Even if your video is low-budget, hiring experienced professionals who can bring your vision to reality is essential. Look for directors, cinematographers, and other creatives who have experience shooting in Miami so they know how best to maximize the city’s offerings. They can guide you to places with breathtaking views and can become a great location for a photo shoot. Local professionals will also know the best places in Downtown Miami and Miami Beach to film the best events and music videos.
- Hire reliable crew members: A team of skilled individuals working together efficiently is essential, ideally during filming and video day(s). Ensure everyone is well-versed and has the necessary resources available throughout the video production process so everyone can do their job correctly and in a safe space.
- Handle post-production tasks efficiently: Once filming is complete, there will still be plenty of post-production tasks that need taking care of, like editing the film footage into a cohesive video narrative, color grading & sound mixing the video, among others. These should be handled professionally by those with experience in the space who can deliver top-quality shoot results without compromising deadlines or budgets allocated for them before beginning the production phase.
Famous Locations in Miami
- New World Center
Renowned architect Frank Gehry built the New World Center. It is the home of the New World Symphony, an orchestral institute. Despite its primary use as a private home, the public may still visit and participate in various activities, features, and special events. The facility hosts and can accommodate several family-friendly activities. Some include concerts and movie screenings in the WALLCAST, where films are projected onto a giant screen for guests. Lastly, it is also a popular film shoot space with easy access for crew members and a separate entrance.
- Miami Children's Museum
If you're searching for something entertaining and educational to do with your kids, the Miami Children's Museum is a fantastic choice with the perfect space and an open floor plan. The museum has fourteen different galleries, each focusing on a separate subject area, such as communication and art. There are also other small exhibits in various locations for children to explore while the adults wait.
- Dolphin Mall
Dolphin Mall is located a quick drive from the Miami International Airport. It is popular with residents and visitors and has amazing city views. The mall has great places to eat and shop and has branded chain stores and local businesses. It has also been featured in many television series (because it's located so conveniently), and the entrance is a popular tourist spot for photos.