One and the same idea can be realized on the screen in different ways. Venues for filming commercial video can be paid and free, but if you have quality royalty free music for video should have the same vibe. Let’s break down their pros and cons.
Paid locations:
1. Photo studios
In them you can find any interior: from an Italian courtyard to a beach hut. Designers think through props, colors and wall texture so that you find different backgrounds in the same room.
Pros:
Prepared space for filming where no one will disturb you.
Large selection of props and backgrounds that you can and should use.
Cons:
Rentals are billed by the hour. If you do not have time to finish something, you have to pay extra.
You need to bring your own light. Those devices, which are equipped with a photo studio, usually not suitable for filming videos, because they have a short and powerful flash instead of a steady stream of light. Sometimes it happens that a photo studio rents out light for a video shoot, but for an additional fee.
How to find one?
All studios have their own sites where you can see pictures of the rooms and prices. The best way to search by area in Moscow and St. Petersburg is to use the catalog at www.studiorent.ru.
Rent
Any photo studio will require an advance payment for the rent with a bank card or in cash. Usually it is 50% and is not refundable if you don’t arrive on the day of the shooting.
Price
From 10$/hour
Please note: Usually photo studios offer discounts on weekdays. Some sites allow you to rent rooms for different events. You can combine business with pleasure.
Studio rules:
They are all different, but here are a few nuances you may encounter in almost any studio:
If you move furniture and props around, everything has to be back in its place by the end of the paid time.
Bulky items like dressers or mirrors are only moved in the presence of the receptionist.
You will be charged a fine for broken or damaged items.
Depending on the number of people on site, the cost may go down or up.
You may come across a message that you will be charged double for videotaping. Don’t be alarmed. This applies to large professional film crews who use movie cameras and lots of powerful light sources. All of this requires high electricity costs. That’s why photo studios raise their rental rates.
Some studios won’t let you into the room without a change of shoes.
Speak to the administrator in advance if you want to involve food, animals or smoke machine in the shooting.
2. Designer Apartments
Renting a designer apartment for a video shoot
Often this option can even be cheaper than photo studios. Let’s compare 2 loft style options. Renting a studio on 1905 costs 50$ per hour. Renting an apartment for 24 hours will cost 100$.
Pros:
Shooting can be done without rushing. The apartment is at your disposal for 24 hours!
A very large selection of interiors.
Cons:
The landlord or administration may refuse when they find out you want to shoot.
Small rooms are difficult to accommodate with a camera, tripod and light.
Where to look:
1. airbnb.com offers sometimes the fanciest locations: luxury apartments at the very top of a skyscraper, floating cabins, or cozy lofts. So why not use this service to find the perfect location for your story?
2. booking.com – in addition to hotel rooms, you can find aparthotels or trendy hostels with interesting interiors on these sites.
Rent:
Look carefully at the terms of the reservation. Some hosts accept guests for no less than three nights.
It is better to discuss in advance with the host or administrator the details of the shooting, if necessary, show the script.
Price:
From 50$ per day.
To pay for the variant you like, go through the registration on the site and then confirm the reservation. Usually the service itself charges your bank card at once the entire amount.
If you use a hotel service, you can choose “pay on the spot. Some hotels allow you to cancel your reservation without penalty at least one day in advance.
As a side note, remember that not only airbnb.com, but even hotels can cancel your reservation without explanation. Have a plan B just in case.
3. historical places
Bulgakov hydroelectric power station
The beauty of the architecture or the splendor of classic parks and fountains will add a special mood to the frame. Choose such places if you want to shoot a romantic sketch and do not plan dynamic and noisy scenes: museums, after all.
Pros:
Beautiful backdrop with no advertising signs or road signs.
Ability to shoot indoors and outdoors in the park.
Cons:
The historical setting requires you to think about your characters’ costumes and hairstyles.
You may be disturbed by wedding processions and tourists.
Where to look:
Can’t remember which museums or estates are near you? Check out kudago.com, for example. In addition to a list of major attractions and event posters, there’s even a separate “Interesting Places” section. Blogs and guide sites can also help you discover more about your city. Check out: moscowwalks.ru, mosprogulka.ru and easymoscow.ru.
Price:
Although by law state museums can’t charge for taking pictures for non-commercial purposes, in practice you’ll probably be asked to buy a special permit.
4. Sporting centers
Shooting a video in a sports center
Acting at ease is the most difficult task for “novice actors”. In this case, it is best to put your characters in circumstances where they willy-nilly need to act without looking back at the camera. For example, go to a skate park, trampoline center, rollerdrome, climbing wall, shooting gallery, skating rink or go-karting.
As a side note, it’s worth checking with the administration beforehand to see if you need a permit for amateur commercial filming.
Pros:
You can and should come with kids.
Ideal for shooting noisy scenes.
Cons:
For security reasons, security may ask you not to set up a tripod or other additional filming equipment. In that case, bring a small camera that attaches to your body. For example, GoPro, Nikon KeyMission, Sony ActionCam or their analogs. If you have a professional cameraman involved in your shooting, you can also use small handheld steadicams or shoulder rests. These are systems that allow you to stabilize your camera while you are shooting.
Older people run the risk of feeling “out of place.”
Where to look?
Again, a very handy resource is kudago.ru. The site the-village.ru regularly publishes a selection of interesting places in the sections “where to go with children” and “guide”. You can also find out about new sports centers on the coupon sites biglion.ru, kupikupon.ru, kuponator.ru and others. Places that have just opened often run promotions there, offering big discounts.
Price
Costs are minimal. You only need to pay the entrance fee. For example, the entrance to the roller rink on weekdays costs 5$. Ride time – is not limited.
Free locations:
When looking for an interesting location, it is useful to look at your city through the eyes of a tourist: pay attention to the facades of houses, squares or city squares. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we often run past them without noticing their beauty.
Pros:
Budget savings
The ability to shoot at any convenient time
Cons:
The need to do many takes if a random passerby or truck is caught in the frame
Excessive attention from people around you and attempts to distract you with questions like “Are you shooting for Channel One?
5. Parks
Shooting video in the park
Parks today are not just old trees and smart flowerbeds. Here people do yoga, skate or play board games. All of this can make an interesting backdrop for your story.
Where to go:
Gorky Park is worth shooting extreme scenes: in summer they install ramps and other interesting gizmos for skateboarders and bicyclists, and in winter they set up a real snow park for skiers and snowboarders. Great location for the athletic family!
Neighborhood parks have beautiful locations, too. Try being in a cherry grove in May…and there you have it, a sketch with a Japanese flavor. And of course an autumn maple or a swing near an old oak tree will always look better.
6. City streets
Shooting video in the street
The variety of architecture of big cities allows you to implement any scenario. Don’t just let your character walk down the street. Immerse him in the rhythm of the metropolis. Let him wait for a traffic signal or ride a bicycle lane.
When choosing where to shoot, start with the script. Try to relate it to each of the proposed locations for shooting, and then you’ll certainly understand which one will be the best option for the realization of your idea.