The Best Locations for a Music Video Shoot
When filming accompanying visuals for songs, the location and story are as important as the lyrics and artists. Music videos are creative art forms that require inspiration and the best backdrops. You can find music video spaces that tick all the boxes across New York City, Los Angeles, and the rest of the world!
Besides Chris Norman belting his heart out about the "Streets of Manhattan," Midtown Manhattan, where you'll find Times Square and Madison Square, can enrich the visuals of a rock song. The same applies to Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge, as seen in Ryan Adams' video for "New York, New York."
Whether you are a hip-hop, country, blues, or reggae artist planning a music video production, Giggster can help you find film settings in any USA city and other countries. Browse our 10000 to explore top locations that can bring your music video concept to life.
Music Video Locations Curated by Giggster
The Giggster app has on-location venues and studios for photo shoots and music videos. Explore our vast listings to secure a music video location like Abandoned Vintage Apartment (1970s).
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Recording studios are usually a top choice for shooting music videos; including scenes showing where or how the magic happened is a great idea! The recording booth, in particular, can create moving sequences for your next music video. As an event space, the studio is a perfect location for a listening party.
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A video studio is the right location to record a music video. It's a controlled environment that can accommodate different production equipment setups and quicken filming. The space usually has lighting equipment, props, and in-house crew services.
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Are you looking for a filming location with an industrial feel and lots of natural light? A conveniently located warehouse can give your video shoot an edgy vibe. The venue has room to host a large team and space for creating different sets.
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Hotels can easily double as music video spaces, with many rooms, fitness facilities, and other amenities providing backdrops for various scenes. Giggster lists everything from boutique and luxury to eco-hotels.
Plan an Amazing Music Video Shoot Starting at $18/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Giggster provides access to music video locations and event venues in different global cities. Explore our vast listings for video shoot locations near Central Park and other top attractions.
Hassle-Free Booking: After completing your search, book a video shoot location for as low as $18/hour with a few easy steps: click the reserve button, provide your project and contact details, and pay for the space.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: If you can't make it to the shoot location as planned, cancel within 24 hours of getting a confirmation. Giggster won't charge you if the booking is made at least 48 hours before the shoot time.
Platform Protections: There's always a chance that things could go wrong, and you can cover your bases by getting our optional event liability insurance or damage and cancellation plans. The additional charge is worth it to safeguard everyone.
What Kind of Production Space Can I Rent for a Music Video Shoot?
Many event venues and studios can serve as music video locations; Giggster can match you with a great option, whether you want a creative setting or an empty warehouse-style shooting location. Our website lists different types of studios and production spaces to help you pick the best music video location.
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Sound Recording Studios – Music Videos. A sound recording studio specializes in audio production, and you'll find commercial and home studios listed on our site. These studios can also double as video shoot spaces to capture recording booth clips for a music video. Most also have standing sets to film everything from bar scenes to hospital and morgue sequences!
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Urban Rooftops – Crescendo Scenes. Like in Chad Kroeger and Josey Scott's video for "Hero," the theme song for the 2002 "Spider-Man" movie, a rooftop is perfect for a crescendo. The setting also offers city skyline views and has enough room for a band, film crew, and equipment.
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Warehouses – Gritty Sequences. Warehouses and abandoned buildings are among the most popular music video shoot settings. Giggster has derelict, converted, and industrial warehouses that can add an edgy vibe to your video.
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Cars – Shoot Props. Imagine having a '58 Red Corvette Convertible, a vintage Zimmer Golden Spirit Car, or a 2018 McLaren Spider as a shoot prop! Giggster can make this possible with a wide range of classic and modern vehicles available for rent. The options include marked police cars and party buses.
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Homes – Everyday Sequences. Private homes can create personalized shoot locations and are flexible enough for different scenes. Giggster has beachfront properties, lake houses, hillside estates, and loft apartments.
Top Features to Look for in a Music Video Shoot Location
There are varied music video locations, and you want to pick the best shooting setting. The studio should have space to host your team, instruments, and crew. To help you choose the best shoot space out of the many popular locations on our website, here is a list of the top features to look for.
Does the production location have an in-house crew? Music videos vary in production scope; a band and soloist using the same studio will need different technical services. A band might need more than one videographer and sound operator, while a soloist can record their video with fewer people. Hence, it's important to know if the studio provides on-site support.
Is there an additional charge for equipment? A studio usually provides basic video recording gear, among other amenities, which the venue may or may not include in the rental cost. The studio might also offer additional equipment as an add-on.
Do you need film permits to use the location? Every city has independent permit requirements. You'll usually need a permit to record in public spaces and include monuments or attractions in your video. Contact the city's Film Office to find out the specifics.
Planning Your Music Video Shoot
Once you have the best music video locations locked and ready, your goal is to plan for success. You'll need access to different shoot venues at least an hour beforehand to prep each space, and you also have to get props and costumes on time. Here is a checklist of must-dos to help you stay on top of everything.
Maximize the Space – Change camera angles, backdrops, and costumes for different clips. Wide shots will showcase the surrounding beauty, even in a studio, making the space feel larger. Also, ensure the shoot location has air conditioning; lights and the flurry of activity can make any recording space extremely hot.
Apply for Permits – Research the permits you need. The last thing you want is to deal with approval delays because of non-compliance, so check the city regulations and submit comprehensive applications. Contact the city's issuing body to determine if you qualify for tax incentives or production subsidies.
Have a Theme – A music video should tell a story that matches the song's lyrics. It doesn't have to play out like a TV show or movie; it should be a summarized story that keeps viewers hooked from beginning to end.
Use Props – Dress up every scene with props; think outside the box, incorporate scene-stealing items, or keep it simple with smoke machines and green screen elements. Giggster has a selection of classic cars that are a great option for music video shoots.
Music Video Shoot Hidden Costs
Filming a music video will cost money, but how much you'll spend depends on your different pre-production decisions. Giggster can give you direct access to affordable music video locations, the first way to save money. Here are more ways to spend less on your music video shoot:
Widen your search in the city.
Accessibility helps with logistics, but most easy-to-reach studios are usually in the downtown core. The central district is one of the most expensive areas in any city, and you should widen your search and explore video shoot venues in outlying neighborhoods.
Book a studio by the hour.
Giggster can help you rent a video shoot location by the hour or at a daily rate. This is more cost-effective than being tied up to longer rental times and gives you the flexibility to lease a space for the precise amount of time you need it.
Rent production equipment.
Equipment costs can easily set your video shoot finances back, and the best way about it is to rent instead of buy. Again, it allows you to use top-of-the-line gear without spending too much.
Plan Your Music Video Shoot with Giggster
That sums up the music video locations you can rent from our website. From homes to warehouses to cozy speakeasies, we've got the best locations. Start browsing our vast selection to book a video shoot space today!
