The Top Filming Venues in San Jose
San Jose may not be Hollywood when it comes to filming, but it certainly has plenty of inspiring locations and professionals to help make movies like "Beverly Hills Cop III," "Flubber" the remake of “The Absent-Minded Professor,” the horror movie "Winchester" and many more popular movies and scenes.
With fantastic filming locations like Winchester Mystery House, the vibrant San Pedro Square Market, the charming Rose Garden District, and exceptional studios, locations, and movie sets on Giggster, filmmakers have many good reasons to keep choosing San Jose for their film projects.
Giggster finds a convenient way to connect you to these filming locations and more, whether you want to make a low-cost music video or have a big film project lined up.
Marvelous San Jose Filming Venues Curated by Giggster
With Giggster’s amazing filming locations in San Jose, location scouting has never been easier. Discover why we're so unique.
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Rooftop locations on Giggster serve as more than just perfect backdrops for iconic scenes. Tell your romantic story on a rooftop poolside bar with stunning views of the city below.
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Need a fully equipped space for your next shoot? Browse a wealth of professional studios on our platform, equipped with everything from cyclorama walls to green screens to makeup rooms.
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Take advantage of San Jose's eery mansions to create thrilling horror movies that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. From Victorian homes to cabins in the woods to isolated mansions and castle villas, these locations create the perfect backdrop for the horror genre.
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Perhaps you need a modern setting for your next blockbuster. A contemporary apartment or a loft like the one in Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City could be the perfect space to rent for your next shoot.
Incredible Filming Venues in San Jose Start at $25/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Find poolside clubhouses, modern villas, professional film studios, dining establishments, and other unique filming locations on our site. On a tight budget? We offer exceptional budget-friendly pre-production locations to help align the shoot with your story.
Hassle-Free Booking: A lot goes into putting together an entire production team, which is why we simplify the process with seamless booking to save you time. Discover pricing, venue details, and more, as well as talk directly to the property managers and owners for more information.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: If the weather ruins your plans and you must cancel your booked filming location, we have your back! If unexpected disruptions wreak havoc with your shoot day, you can cancel your booking for free up to 24 hours after confirmation, provided the booking is made at least 48 hours before the event.
Platform Protections: Shooting in some areas in San Jose requires specific permits and insurance. With our convenient damage protection and liability insurance, Giggster can help you kickstart your filming production. Book an incredible San Jose location like Beautiful Poolside Clubhouse knowing you have all the coverage you need.
Things to Consider for Your Filming Location in San Jose
Thinking about shooting a few scenes in San Jose? Get to know both pros and cons to see if the city is the right fit for the job. The points below will get you started in the decision making.
Advantages
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The right location makes all the difference, and San Jose, California, provides a wide range of locations to help make your film project come to life. Conference room or podcast studio? Whatever type of set you need for your next scene, we can help.
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The year-round pleasant weather makes it easy to plan production work in outdoor spaces like parks, backyards, forests, and farmlands.
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With established professional filmmaking in San Jose, filmmakers have countless sources of experienced professionals to choose from, making your next production a breeze.
Disadvantages
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The rapidly growing population, along with the limited public transport system, often causes issues with traffic congestion. This could become a major problem when you have a set time and date to work on a shot. Be prepared for delays, shifting schedules, and cancellations.
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San Jose offers a high quality of life, but the challenge of higher living expenses often accompanies that. Expert crew and actors could cost you more than you've planned for.
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Depending on the filming location, you may have to obtain a special permit. Arrange all necessary paperwork in advance, as it may cause delays.
Choosing the Right Type of Location for a Filming in San Jose
With a big roster of 111 inspiring locations, San Jose, California, is the perfect filming location, whether you plan on shooting a TV commercial, a music video, or an action movie. Find which type of location ticks all the right boxes.
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Historic Mansions – Inspiring Backdrops. Have you noticed that most murder mysteries are set in mansions, like Agatha Christie's detective stories? These grand establishments give unique charm and character and provide multiple different backdrops both indoors and outdoors, ideal for any film or event production.
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Luxury Hotels – At Your Convenience. Some of the greatest films in history, like Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining," Billy Wilder's "Some Like It Hot," and Hitchcock's "Psycho," take place in hotels. With their opulent background and flexibility, hotels are some of the most sought-after filming locations in San Jose, California.
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Professional Studios – Ready for You. If you are looking for a controlled environment where you'd have more room for creative freedom, film studios provide the right setting, complete with essential equipment, professional support, and budget-friendly pricing.
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Restaurants and Cafes – Live Action. When you want to describe your main character as social and happy, cafes and diners in San Jose are on your side. Choose from a variety of eateries on Giggster, designed for lively scenes with buzzing crowds and vibrant energy.
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Outdoor Locations – Adventures of the Great Outdoors. Forests, parks, rivers, and lakes provide the perfect backdrop for multiple movie genres. A romantic picnic by the lakehouse or an action-packed movie in the mountains—whatever your idea, San Jose outdoor areas can help bring it to life.
Planning Your Filming Session in San Jose
Between finding the perfect filming location, acquiring permits, casting actors, and hiring a crew, a lot goes into planning and executing a successful production. This easy-to-follow guide will get you off on the right foot.
Conduct Location Scouting – The right filming location depends on many factors. Is it easily accessible? Is it loud? Does it have the right equipment? Will you need permits to film there? Gather all the location details and requirements and visit the place in person if you must.
Get the Necessary Permits in Advance – Not sure your filming location needs a permit? Visit the San Jose Film Office to connect with the right contacts for permits and other assistance and avoid any production hold-ups.
Engage Local Businesses – Working with local businesses, crew, and actors can help make your film shoot less stressful and more efficient. You'll be cutting costs on transport and getting insider knowledge on the local community, deals, and more.
Final Run-Through – Before the action begins, take a moment to do a final check on the actors, lighting, stage, makeup, shooting sequences, and all the details that matter.
Tips: Saving Money When Filming in San Jose
San Jose may be one of the most expensive cities in the San Francisco Bay Area, but it's still possible to plan a film shoot without breaking the bank. We've compiled a few ideas to get you started.
Explore suburban locations when scouting for the ideal sets.
We love the convenience of centrally located studios, but because of that, they tend to be very pricey. Browse Giggster listings outside the busy center to save money and get away from the city noise.
Book a versatile and useful studio.
Professional studios in San Jose are not only some of the most affordable filming locations, but they are flexible and can be used for various film shots. You have access to high-quality equipment, professional support, and a variety of customizable setups for any type of production.
Hire new and emerging talent.
Although Silicon Valley is not short of A-listers and experienced talent, you'll save a lot more if you hire emerging talent looking for their big break. Survey the local talent pool to avoid traffic delays at the same time.
Get Ready for San Jose Filming with Giggster
There's a reason San Jose is consistently selected as a top filming destination. Explore our extensive collection of filming locations and see whether San Jose has what you need to turn your next project into reality. Book your ideal filming location, from trendy clubhouses to gorgeous villas, today to secure availability.
