About Music Videos
Music videos connect artists and their listeners. When done right, a music video can be a powerful tool to capture the audience’s interest, compel them to pay more attention to the lyrics, and help get a song to the top of the charts.
People now have quick and easy access to music videos of all languages, styles, and genres, thanks to numerous music and video streaming platforms. That’s why it’s now more essential than ever to find ways to make your project stand out. One way to do that is by choosing the perfect location to shoot your music video.
Studio sound stages are a popular option if you want a more controlled environment when filming. But nothing beats real-life settings to enhance the narrative and make the audience feel more connected to the scenes and characters.
Unique spaces like busy city streets, historic buildings, old barns, and art galleries can establish a sense of familiarity. Other locations like parks, gardens, and beaches create a scenic backdrop that’s hard to replicate in studios.
Think outside the box and get your creative juices flowing. There are tons of venue options you can discover to make your next music video impactful and memorable.
Uncover the Best Music Video Venues: Create a Visual Masterpiece
Location scouting is a critical aspect of music video production. It can influence everything from the video’s tone and mood to its visual appeal and the audience’s viewing experience. Be it an outdoor or an indoor setting, there are countless venues out there that can cater to your needs.
- Botanical Gardens
What better way to achieve magical and picturesque visuals than having a music video shoot in the middle of nature’s décor. Most botanical gardens have wide open spaces for the crew and production equipment. Besides the scenic landscape, botanical gardens offer natural light, lush greenery, and colorful blooms for stunning shots.
- Historic Buildings and Houses
While numerous backdrops can now be created in a video studio using a green screen, nothing beats the visual aesthetics of real locations. So Instead of building a complex set, look for historical buildings and houses. Their old-school furniture, intricate interior, and classy landscapes make excellent backdrops for music video and photo shoots. A great example of this is the 1960’s retro loft in Los Angeles. Booking this space will surely achieve the vintage vibe you’re looking for.
- Professional Video and Photo Studio
If you want a more controlled filming environment, a professional video and photo studio is a fantastic choice. Consider a dance studio or a loft photo/video/podcast studio for your music video space needs. They’re typically equipped with everything, from AV systems and Wi-Fi services to props, and more, so you won’t have to step foot outside for anything else.
- Urban Spaces
Looking for a more gritty and rugged space that matches your story? A warehouse or an abandoned building with concrete finishes, large windows for great lighting, and graffiti detail make dramatic music video locations. They’re like a blank canvas you can convert into any setting that matches your concept. They’re also efficient and affordable, ideal for independent filmmakers or new artists on a tight budget.
- Outdoor Venues
Whether it’s a forest, the top of a hill, a beachfront, a vibrant garden, or a serene park, the beauty and allure of an outdoor location can’t be replicated in any indoor venue. Not only can it enhance the look and feel of your music video, but the outdoor setting’s natural beauty and expansive space provide creative freedom and inspiration.
What to Look for in Music Video Spaces
Many studios and music video locations can be used to bring your ideas to life. But since you can’t cover all of them in one video, only pick the best ones that match your video concept, theme, or budget. To help narrow your choice, here are other elements to consider when selecting a site for your next music video.
- Accessibility
Look for a venue that’s easily accessible via public transport or private vehicles to avoid delays and ensure the cast and crew arrive on time. You must also check if it has additional features, such as ramps, parking spaces for wheeled equipment and vehicles, secure storage for filming gear, and WiFi capabilities.
- Amenities
Quality amenities and services are a must when looking for a music video venue. Does it have makeup and hair rooms, AV equipment, and props, or do they offer extras like cleanup services and even catering? Whatever creative project you’re working on, always check if a music video space has the right amenities for your needs.
- Ambiance
Where you film your music video has a significant impact on its overall look and feel. Because every venue gives off a different vibe, you must visit the area to see how it can affect the narrative and the audience’s viewing experience. You should also check if the ambiance matches your video concept and the director’s vision.
- Layout
The room’s layout can make or break the production crew’s experience and even impact the success of your video. So when choosing a site, explore the area to see if the layout aligns with the video concept and objective and allows smooth movement around the space. Make sure there are no issues with traffic flow and that everyone feels comfortable working around the space.
Music Video Inspiration: Bring your Creative Vision to Life
You can create musical magic in almost any location. However, booking a suitable music video venue will give you access to more features that you can utilize to bring your shoot to a whole new level.
- Piano Solo in a Botanical Garden
Combine the sweet, lulling notes of a piano solo with the blooming flowers in a botanical garden, and you’ll get a captivating arrangement. With nature as a backdrop, there’s almost no need to adjust any décor or add in more props.
- Retro Jazz in a Vintage Lounge
Take your audience on a journey back in time with a vintage lounge for a retro jazz music video. Most vintage venues have a variety of old-school furniture and one-of-a-kind décor pieces that evoke feelings of nostalgia.
- Rock Video in an Industrial Space
The private alley graffiti location in Los Angeles is a perfect example of a music video location for a rock music video. The area consists of a junkyard setting, graffiti, and metal barrels that can complete the mood. The vibe is suitable for action scenes and outdoor shoots.
- Country Video at a Farmhouse
A farmhouse with its rustic, homey feel fits the country genre. Most farmhouses have a wide-open space that provides an opportunity for more shoots. Farmhouses typically provide indoor and outdoor settings with rustic kitchens, wooden beams, fireplaces, and more.
- Classical Ensemble at an Auditorium
What better way to hear the fine resonance of an orchestra than in a theatre, where sound reverberates throughout the room? These venues are a staple in music videos that feature orchestras and may allow you to redesign some features to make them more unique according to your needs and the video concept.
The process of location scouting can take a lot of time, effort, and energy, so planning ahead of time is always a great idea. Identify your requirements and pay attention to details to find the best music video location you should book for your next shoot.