Find Unique Filming Locations in Grand Rapids
If you're a big fan of art and beer, then the West Michigan city situated on the banks of the Grand River is just the place for you. But Grand Rapids is more than just a fun city to party in. Looking for a filming location that can help you craft a love letter to the art of moviemaking? We've definitely got a place for you in Grand Rapids.
Giggster's unique filming locations include everything from a vintage office and industrial warehouse to a pretty suburban house with a cozy backyard and pool. Film one of the most aesthetic videos of your life in a pretty and hip brewery and taproom with vaulted ceilings and aged barrels. On the other hand, if you're working on a cheap and budget-friendly film production, then a well-kept and well-equipped Pilates studio might be just what you need! With large glass doors and windows, the location certainly gets enough light to be perfect for a daylight shoot.
Giggster's got dozens of carefully curated filming locations in Grand Rapids so that you have a space for every kind of shoot and project. Just look through our easy-to-use site and find the spot that scratches all your creative instincts. We promise you won't be disappointed!
Why Choose Giggster for Filming Locations in Grand Rapids
On the lookout for the best filming locations in all of Grand Rapids? Giggster's got you covered. As soon as you know what kind of project or video you're filming, it's time to start looking for studios or houses, gyms, or warehouses to get started!
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Get your crew ready to shoot a scene in a large and exciting trampoline park with a big stage and a diverse range of colorful equipment.
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If you're making a film about a group of small-town friends and family or a woman returning to her hometown after many years, choose a pretty suburban retreat and house with a pool in the backyard.
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Get rave reviews on your dance film by shooting in a colorful studio with floor-to-ceiling mirrors around the room and smooth, wooden floors that are gentle on your feet and knees.
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A German beerhall is an amazing and unique space that would impart a lot of flavor and life to your feature film.
Incredible Filming Locations in Grand Rapids Start at $50/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Find the perfect one from among 24 Grand Rapids locations on Giggster and tell the story that you want to tell in your chosen location. Whether you want a virtual reality arcade for a gaming channel video or a 1922 house for a child-friendly film, we have it all.
Hassle-Free Booking: Filming locations often have a variety of specific needs. The Giggster site provides all the information that you might need about a venue, from rental rates to floor space, so you're not going in blind. These venues start at just $50/hour.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: If you've booked the location at least 48 hours before the actual event, we allow you to cancel your booking for free within 24 hours of confirmation. Cancellations are never ideal, but Giggster's flexible policies are meant to make your life easier.
Platform Protections: Do you think Creative Space for Events is ideal for your needs, and you want to book it really badly? With Giggster's optional coverage against damages and liabilities, you can go ahead and do just that with zero worries.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Grand Rapids for Filming
When you're shooting a high-stakes scene or video, you have to take both the filming location as well as the city as a whole into account! Is Grand Rapids, Michigan, really the destination for you?
Advantages
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Grand Rapids is a hub of art and culture, especially in the vibrant downtown area. Encounters with the local community of artists are sure to result in exciting collaborations and the exchange of ideas!
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Grand Rapids allows you to experience all four seasons. And on top of that, it has some of the most beautiful parks on Earth. So you can easily capture the feel and vibes of a spring morning or autumn afternoon in the city.
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It's definitely much more affordable than some bigger cities. You can rent out a great venue for quite a few days and film all your scenes without spending too much money.
Disadvantages
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While it is a big city, it definitely has some small-town vibes. The range of venues in Grand Rapids can be somewhat limited, and you might not find exactly what you need.
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Tourists flood the town a lot of the time, and that can make it difficult to film in the open. Even apart from that, you might find hotels and restaurants fill up really fast.
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Beware of floods in Grand Rapids. There are many years when the heavy rains make the river overflow and flood the streets.
What Kind of Venue Can I Rent for Filming in Grand Rapids
With a variety of different locations available for hire in Grand Rapids, Michigan, make sure to pick out the best one from among 24 options.
House – Authentic Locales. Filming intimate or emotionally charged scenes for your romantic movie or family drama? Why not pick out the cozy and warm confines of a suburban home? The actors will feel comfortable, and the whole scene will feel that much more genuine.
Office and Warehouse – Historic Spaces. A video shoot at an old and vintage office space and warehouse packed with boxes is a blast from the past. The bright overhead lights also make it much easier to capture minute details on camera.
Dance Studio – A Blank Backdrop. With the help of various production companies, you can film dance videos with friends or even a movie scene with a girl learning how to dance for the first time in a studio environment, surrounded by mirrors.
Brewery – Eclectic and Vibrant. A German beerhall or an elegant and rustic taproom with aged barrels lining the walls is not just a great party destination but also a one-of-a-kind filming location. It certainly sets the scene and builds atmosphere for the movie.
Arcade – Tell a Story. A virtual reality arcade or a party room with TVs, sound, and lighting features at your disposal can be used to film an amazing scene between a bunch of teenagers. The backdrop itself can tell a story that complements the story shown in the movie.
How to Plan a Filming Event in Grand Rapids
With all the backing of a production company behind you, it's time to get started on planning your project. Let's take it step by step so you don't get overwhelmed.
Create a Concept – First of all, coming up with a theme and concept is an absolute joy. Before you can start on a script or even a storyboard, you should know what you want your film to look like.
Scope Out the Location – Once you know how the story will go, it's much easier to pick out your filming locations. It doesn't have to be a boring old studio. Giggster has plenty of options to offer you.
Hire a Team – Not even the best directors and filmmakers can make a good movie without a great cast and crew. Make sure their schedules line up with yours before you hire them.
Communicate with Cast – It's important for the people on the other side of the camera to know what the filmmaker is planning for the shoot. Communicate with them clearly so they're sure of their roles.
Prepare a Shot List – If you don't want to waste time and money on the day of the shoot, you'd better compile a list of what shots you absolutely need to get. But it's okay to improvise as well!
Saving Money on Filming in Grand Rapids
Unless you have a very rich producer handing you millions of dollars to make this movie, you definitely have to find ways to cut down costs while filming.
Think about times and dates.
Certain times of the year, like the holiday season or the middle of summer, are bound to be more expensive than others. Rental prices and services, the price of everything goes up. So you'd be better off waiting for less popular times. And opt for the middle of the week rather than a weekend.
Hire local cast and crew.
Local, unknown artists and actors would love a chance to be on screen, and you can cut a much better deal with them than big stars from NYC or LA. If not the main characters, you can at least audition them to play the side characters!
Rent or borrow equipment.
When you don't have a particular camera or lens, what you can do is rent it from a rental store instead of buying a new one outright. Or you could always borrow microphones or lighting equipment from a filmmaker friend of yours.
Grand Rapids Filming Events with Giggster
Do you plan to make a short movie or feature film that will be watched by millions around the world for years to come? First, you must find the right filming location for it. Search through Giggster's Grand Rapids locations for a studio or historic house that fits all your needs, and we guarantee that you'll have a great time during your shoot!
