We’ve already covered finding filming locations in New York City and Los Angeles, so we’re now off to… South Florida!
If you’re looking for great filming locations in South Florida, you’re in luck. There are plenty of amazing spots to choose from, and with a little bit of planning, you can find the perfect location for your next video marketing project.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Do your research
Before you start scouting locations, it’s important to do your research and figure out what type of setting you need. Are you looking for a beachfront property for a video that shows off the bathing suits your company sells? A lush garden to frame the luxury products available on your eCommerce website? A quiet suburban neighborhood? Or maybe a comfortable but classy living room set to film an interview? Knowing what you’re looking for will make it easier to find the right location.
It can be as simple as searching online, asking for recommendations from your network, or even going out into the world to scout out the perfect place. There is really no wrong way to research, except relying on only one form of research. You never know when you could be getting outdated or just straight up wrong information, so doing a thorough job and using multiple sources is the best route.
Use online resources
When beginning your research, online is the first place you might try. There are a number of online resources that can help you find South Florida filming locations. Sites like Filming in Miami and South Florida Locations offer detailed listings of properties that are available for film shoots, and they’re a great place to start your search.
Honestly, just typing “filming locations South Florida” into Google will bring up A LOT of information for you to work with. Try doing a few searches for different types of locations and see what pops up. You may be surprised at the variety of properties that are available for video or photoshoots.
One of the easiest ways to find great filming locations is to use social media. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are filled with pictures of amazing South Florida locations that are perfect for filming. Social media is also a great way to communicate with the people who either run or own the property you’re looking at renting or using. Some social media also hosts a lot of information about the property such as hours of operation, phone number, and upcoming events. Sometimes you can even find a calendar to see if they have open availability!
Online sources are the easiest to access in today’s technology-run society. They’re likely updated regularly and offer easy communication with the people you’ll need to talk to in order to gain access to the property you want to film on.
Ask around
Another great way to find South Florida filming locations is by asking around. Your family, friends, and co-workers may know of a great location that you never even thought of. Miami is a huge city with lots of different neighborhoods, so it’s likely that someone you know has had some experience filming in one of South Florida’s many amazing locations.
Don’t be afraid to ask around–you may be surprised at what the people around you know! You might just stumble upon something amazing just by kicking around a few ideas with an old acquaintance.
Get in touch with local businesses
If you’re looking for a specific type of location, don’t be afraid to get in touch with local businesses. Restaurants, stores, and other businesses often have great spaces that are perfect for filming. Not only will your video benefit your company, but another local business will receive some recognition and new business.
It doesn’t take a lot of effort to send off an e-mail or make a quick phone call to a local business, either. Nor will you have to travel very far to get to your filming location. You may already know the owners or employees and have an easy rapport with them, so you don’t have to worry about building a new working relationship, either.
You should always be looking for ways to collaborate with local businesses, and this is the perfect opportunity to do so! Local businesses helping each other out and collaborating will benefit your entire community by marketing not only your business but theirs as well.
Scout the area yourself
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential locations, it’s important to scout the areas yourself and get a feel for them. This will help you make sure that the location is right for your project in every aspect.
You never want to book a location blindly. You should always scout out the place before you make a final decision.
Scouting the location will allow you to make sure it can handle the number of people your production requires, the equipment you need, and anything else you need to bring. You also get the chance to meet the people you could be working with and find out how they operate in their natural habitat.
The earlier you start scouting locations, the better. South Florida is a popular filming destination, so many spots can get booked up quickly. It’s also a good idea to revisit potential locations more than once; the lighting and scenery can change dramatically depending on the time of day, weather conditions, and time of year.
Scouting is also a fantastic way to network for future productions. If you’re scouting one place for specific video production but it isn’t perfect, it might be perfect for a different production in the future. You should be constantly scouting out new filming locations so that you have an updated list of possible spots.
Consider your budget
It’s always important to be mindful of your budget and find locations that fit within your constraints. There are plenty of great filming locations in South Florida that won’t break the bank, but you may need to get creative and think outside the box a bit.
If you’re filming a more budget-friendly project, South Florida has plenty of parks, beaches, and other outdoor locations that are perfect for filming. Just be sure to check with local officials before you start filming to make sure you’re following all of the necessary rules and regulations.
If you have a bigger budget, South Florida offers a variety of unique indoor locations that are perfect for filming. From mansions to museums, South Florida has something for everyone. Just be sure to book your location in advance, as these spaces often fill up quickly.
No matter what your budget is, South Florida has plenty of great filming locations to offer. With a little bit of planning and research, you’re sure to find the perfect spot for your next project. South Florida is a popular destination for filmmakers, and for good reason! There are endless possibilities for filming locations, both inside and outside. You just need to know where to look.
Have a backup plan
No matter how carefully you plan, sometimes things don’t go as expected. It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in case you need to find another location last minute.
When you’re filming outside, it’s important to remember that Florida weather can be… well, unpredictable. Having backup plans for an indoor option for the same time or having another date or two set aside in case you need to reschedule is always a good idea, no matter where you’re filming.
Of course, outdoor filming in inclement weather issues aside, there are many other reasons to need a backup plan. People can back out, budgets could be blown completely and you need to relocate to a cheaper location, anything can happen, so having options and flexibility can really save the day, your time, and your company’s money.
Get in touch with local film commissions
If you’re looking for something specific, like a particular type of property or a certain type of environment, it’s worth getting in touch with the local film commission. Film commissions are usually very knowledgeable about what’s available in the area and can help you find the perfect location for your project.
South Florida is home to a number of film commissions, including the Miami-Dade County Film and Entertainment Office, Palm Beach County Film and Television, and more! A quick search online will bring up the closest film commissions to your business or the filming location you have your eye on.
Film commissions can supply you with a lot of information that you might not be thinking about. They can help you with permits and other logistics, and they can often put you in touch with people who own the perfect property for your project.
Hire a studio to help
Asking for help is not a weakness, and hiring a video production studio like C&I Studios can really make the job of not only finding a location in the area easier, it really makes the entire video production process easier. We know South Florida like the back of our hand and can help you find not only the perfect filming location, but can help with casting, crew, equipment, and so much more.
We also have an actual studio that we use for some indoor filming opportunities, so you may have your filming location already locked down without having to go any further!
Video production is not the only service we offer, and we can’t wait to work with your company to create amazing marketing content!
Have fun!
Filming can be stressful, but it should also be enjoyable! South Florida is a beautiful location with plenty to offer, so take advantage of it and have some fun while you’re filming. South Florida is home to a variety of interesting and unique locations, so be sure to take advantage of them. Take advantage of a day of scouting to enjoy a day of getting out of the office. Make lasting relationships with local business owners. There’s no wrong way to enjoy your work.
No matter what your project is, South Florida is the perfect place to film it! With a little bit of planning and research, you’re sure to find the perfect spot for your next project. South Florida is a popular destination for filmmakers, and for good reason! There are endless possibilities for filming locations, both inside and outside. You just need to know where to look. South Florida is a beautiful place, so take advantage of it and have some fun while you’re filming!