5 TIPS TO SECURE THE BEST FILMING LOCATION FOR YOUR MUSIC VIDEO

When preparing to shoot a music video the location scouting process can take a lot of energy and time. Patience and attention to detail are key as it can take up to days or week to find the perfect location. Take advantage of the following tools and approaches to find a great location for your next music video production:

1. Start by looking for venue options online
While having an official location scout is still necessary for big budget productions, you may be able to virtually scout a location. Using this approach is also useful for doing a preliminary look before you go and see a location in-person.

Venue Booking Agencies such as PIOVRA GROUP can help you narrow down your research and present you with targeted venue options that work for your needs. You can check out their filming locations online and set up a time with their team to tour each space in person

2. CREATE A LIST OF “MUST-HAVE” FILMING REQUIREMENTS 

It is extremely important to have a clear idea of the features and requirements you are looking for when searching a venue to shoot your music video. This approach will save you a lot of time and will ensure you won’t waste precious energy touring locations that do not work for you. Make sure you create a list of “must-have” requirements to share with your location scout, venue booking agency and venue owners / managers and make sure the space meets all of your requirements before setting up a time for a walk-through.

3. SET-UP A TOUR AND TAKE A LOT OF PICTURES

It almost goes without saying, but touring a location before the day of the shoot is a must. While you’re location scouting take along your phone to capture pictures of you location that you can share with your producers, lighting director, sound recordist, set designer, and anyone else who will be a leader on set.

Make sure to take a director’s viewfinder with you so you can see how your location looks at various focal lengths. This is critical. Eyes can be deceiving, so by purchasing a cheap director’s viewfinder you can get a better idea as to what the location will look like once you get your camera on location.

While you are at a potential location there are a lot of questions you need to be asking including:

• Is there power?

• Is this location near any airports?

• Do I need a person to let me into this location?

• Where are the breaker boxes?

• Is the neighborhood safe? (Seriously, I’ve got stories…)

• Will there be a place for the crew to set up equipment?

• What’s the parking situation like?

• Are there any events scheduled for your shoot day?

• Does this location cost money?

• Is there a bathroom?

It’s also very important to understand what the lighting is going to look like at the time of day you will be shooting. Your location may look perfect at 10 am, but come 5 pm you might be dealing with shadows from trees, buildings, or electricity poles. This is why it is best to location scout at the time in which you will be shooting.

4. KNOW YOUR SCRIPT

Don’t put the cart before the horse. While you may feel inclined to go location scouting before you have a script it’s best to wait. You don’t want to show up on set and realize that the pivotal window shot can’t happen because there isn’t one.

5. PAY ATTENTION TO THE SOUND AND NOISE ON LOCATION

While you’re at a location, talk, clap, and listen to hear if there is anything to be concerned about. In our post ‘5 Tips for Planning Your Audio in Pre-Production’ we talk about a few ways you can ensure your audio will be top notch.

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