How to Choose Locations for a Music Video

Bypophitchcock

Choosing the right location can completely change the way a music video feels.

A good location can give you production value before you’ve even turned on a light. It can establish the mood, create depth, provide interesting backgrounds, influence the color palette, and give the artist a visual world to exist in.

You also don’t necessarily need an expensive location.

Some of the most interesting music videos can be made in places that are completely ordinary if you know what you’re looking for.

When I’m choosing a location, I don’t just ask:

“Does this place look cool?”

I ask:

“What can I actually do here?”

That’s a much more useful question.

Start With the Song

The location should make sense with the music.

Before searching for locations, listen to the song and figure out what kind of environment fits it.

A dark industrial track might work well in:

  • Warehouses
  • Parking garages
  • Factories
  • Concrete buildings
  • Abandoned-looking spaces
  • Industrial streets

Something atmospheric might work better in:

  • Forests
  • Open fields
  • Empty roads
  • Rooftops
  • Water
  • Foggy environments
  • Large empty rooms

A high-energy punk or electronic song might benefit from:

  • Downtown streets
  • Underground spaces
  • Small venues
  • Skate parks
  • Parking lots
  • Crowded environments

There are no universal rules.

The important thing is that the environment contributes something to the song.

Think About the Visual Identity

A location isn’t just a background.

It’s part of the visual identity of the video.

Think about:

  • Colors
  • Architecture
  • Textures
  • Lighting
  • Space
  • Scale
  • Depth
  • Objects
  • Movement
  • Atmosphere

A concrete wall can create a completely different feeling from a colorful mural.

An empty field can feel completely different from a crowded downtown street.

A small bedroom can create intimacy.

A massive warehouse can make an artist look isolated.

The location itself communicates something.

You Don’t Need an Expensive Location

One of the biggest mistakes is assuming a music video needs an expensive location to look professional.

It doesn’t.

You can find interesting environments almost anywhere.

Try looking at:

  • Parking garages
  • Alleys
  • Stairwells
  • Industrial buildings
  • Empty lots
  • Parking lots
  • Bridges
  • Parks
  • Trails
  • Local businesses
  • Apartments
  • Houses
  • Rooftops
  • Tunnels
  • Downtown streets
  • Back roads

The trick is learning how to photograph the location.

A boring-looking room can become interesting with the right lighting, lens, composition, and camera movement.

Look for Depth

When scouting locations, look for places that give you depth.

A flat wall directly behind the artist doesn’t give you many options.

Instead, look for environments with:

  • Hallways
  • Doorways
  • Long streets
  • Staircases
  • Layers of buildings
  • Trees
  • Fences
  • Objects in the foreground
  • Different planes of light

Depth gives you more opportunities to create cinematic compositions.

You can put the artist in the foreground, something in the middle ground, and another element farther in the background.

That creates a much more dimensional image.

Look for Interesting Backgrounds

A location doesn’t need to be beautiful.

It needs to be visually useful.

Look for things like:

  • Textures
  • Graffiti
  • Signs
  • Concrete
  • Brick
  • Rust
  • Windows
  • Architecture
  • Neon
  • Streetlights
  • Machinery
  • Plants
  • Reflections

Even something ugly can become visually interesting when framed correctly.

In fact, unusual textures can sometimes give a music video more personality than a perfectly clean environment.

Think About Color

Color should be part of location scouting.

Look around the environment and ask:

What colors are already here?

You might find:

  • Red brick
  • Blue signs
  • Green vegetation
  • Yellow streetlights
  • Purple neon
  • Gray concrete
  • Orange sodium lights

Those existing colors can become part of the video’s visual palette.

This can also affect wardrobe.

If the location is covered in green, for example, you might choose clothing that creates separation from it.

Pay Attention to Natural Light

A location can look completely different depending on the time of day.

If you’re scouting during the afternoon but planning to shoot at night, you’re not really scouting the location you’re going to use.

Try to understand:

  • Where the sun rises
  • Where the sun sets
  • Which direction the windows face
  • Where shadows fall
  • When the location becomes dark
  • What artificial lights turn on
  • How the environment changes throughout the day

This matters especially if you’re planning to use natural light.

Golden Hour Can Transform a Location

Golden hour is useful because the sun is lower in the sky, creating warmer and more directional light.

A location that looks ordinary in the middle of the day can look completely different around sunset.

You can use:

  • Backlighting
  • Silhouettes
  • Long shadows
  • Warm highlights
  • Lens flare
  • Side lighting

Just remember that golden hour doesn’t last forever.

Plan your shots before you get there.

Night Locations Are Their Own Thing

Nighttime can create some incredible music-video environments.

Look for:

  • Streetlights
  • Neon signs
  • Storefronts
  • Headlights
  • Gas stations
  • Parking lots
  • Buildings
  • Bridges
  • Downtown streets

Artificial light can become part of the cinematography.

Instead of trying to light an entire city block, you can often position the artist where existing lights are already doing some of the work.

Then add a small amount of additional light if necessary.

Check the Location for Practical Lighting

When scouting, look at what lights already exist.

Things like:

  • Fluorescent fixtures
  • Lamps
  • Streetlights
  • Signs
  • Windows
  • LED displays
  • TVs
  • Car headlights

can become useful production elements.

You may not need to bring as much lighting equipment if the location already has interesting sources.

Consider the Size of the Location

A location can be too small or too large for what you’re trying to do.

A tiny room can be great for close, intimate shots but difficult if you want large camera movements.

A massive warehouse gives you space but may require more lighting.

A narrow hallway can create a strong visual composition but may limit camera movement.

Think about what you actually want to shoot.

Don’t choose a location just because it looks impressive.

Choose it because you can use it.

Think About Your Camera Movement

This is something I would specifically consider while scouting.

If you’re planning on using a gimbal, can you actually move through the location?

Can you walk around the artist?

Can you push toward them?

Can you move sideways?

Can you circle them?

Are there obstacles?

Is the floor smooth enough?

If you’re shooting handheld, do you have enough room to move?

If you’re using a tripod, are there places where you can establish strong compositions?

The physical layout of the location affects the camera.

Think About Your Lenses

Your lens selection should also influence your location choice.

A wide lens can make a small space feel much larger.

A longer lens may require more physical distance between the camera and subject.

If you’re planning close-ups with a 30mm lens, you need enough room to position the camera comfortably.

If you want compressed backgrounds with a longer focal length, you need even more space.

Don’t discover halfway through the shoot that you can’t physically get far enough away from the artist.

Consider the Background Distance

If you want shallow depth of field, look for locations where the artist can be separated from the background.

For example:

Camera → Artist → Background

If the artist is standing directly against a wall, you don’t have much separation.

If the artist is several feet or several yards away from the background, you have more options.

You can use your aperture and focal length to create additional separation.

The location itself can help you achieve the look.

Check for Reflections

This is especially important if the location has:

  • Mirrors
  • Windows
  • Glass
  • Polished metal
  • Cars
  • Reflective floors

Reflections can be visually useful, but they can also reveal the camera, crew, lights, or equipment.

Check your angles before shooting.

Sometimes the best shot is only a few feet away from the angle you originally imagined.

Think About Sound

Even if you’re primarily recording the finished song during editing, location sound can still matter.

If you’re shooting dialogue, narrative scenes, or anything requiring production audio, listen to the location.

Is it near:

  • A highway?
  • Train tracks?
  • Construction?
  • Air conditioning?
  • Loud businesses?
  • Crowds?
  • Machinery?

A visually perfect location can become a nightmare if you need clean dialogue.

Check How Busy the Location Is

A location might look empty when you scout it and be packed when you actually shoot.

Think about:

  • Time of day
  • Weekdays vs weekends
  • Business hours
  • Events
  • Traffic
  • Pedestrian activity
  • Nearby businesses

If you need a quiet empty parking garage, don’t assume Tuesday afternoon will look the same as Sunday morning.

Timing is part of location selection.

Make Sure You Can Actually Access It

Before planning an entire music video around a location, figure out how you’re getting in.

Consider:

  • Opening hours
  • Keys
  • Security
  • Parking
  • Elevators
  • Stairs
  • Loading areas
  • Equipment access
  • Permission
  • Property owners

This becomes especially important if you’re bringing stands, lights, cameras, tripods, gimbals, or other equipment.

Get Permission

If you don’t own the property, ask.

It sounds obvious, but it’s one of the easiest things to overlook.

You don’t want to build an entire production around a location only to have someone tell you that filming isn’t allowed.

Depending on the location, you may need permission for:

  • Cameras
  • Lighting
  • Crew
  • Vehicles
  • Drones
  • Props
  • Special effects
  • Sound
  • Commercial filming

Get this figured out before production day.

Don’t Automatically Avoid Abandoned Places

Abandoned-looking locations can be visually incredible for music videos.

But there’s a difference between something looking abandoned and something actually being abandoned.

A building can still have an owner.

There can also be structural hazards, exposed wiring, unstable floors, broken glass, or other dangerous conditions.

Don’t trespass or put yourself or a crew in an unsafe situation just because a location looks cool on camera.

There are plenty of legitimate ways to find industrial and distressed environments without taking unnecessary risks.

Think About Safety

Location scouting should include a basic safety assessment.

Look for:

  • Unstable structures
  • Broken glass
  • Exposed wiring
  • Traffic
  • Water
  • Heights
  • Slippery surfaces
  • Heavy machinery
  • Poor lighting
  • Unsafe entrances
  • Extreme weather

If something looks unsafe during the scout, don’t assume it will somehow be fine during the shoot.

Find another way to get the shot.

Consider the Weather

Outdoor locations require a weather plan.

Think about:

  • Rain
  • Wind
  • Heat
  • Cold
  • Snow
  • Sun
  • Storms

Weather can actually become part of the aesthetic.

Rain can create reflections.

Fog can create atmosphere.

Overcast skies can create soft light.

Snow can completely transform a location.

But you still need to make sure your equipment and crew can handle the conditions.

Look for Multiple Shooting Areas Within One Location

One strong location can sometimes feel like several different locations.

For example, a warehouse might have:

  • Exterior
  • Loading dock
  • Main room
  • Hallway
  • Staircase
  • Office
  • Rooftop
  • Parking area

You can change the lighting, lens, camera position, wardrobe, and performance style between each section.

That can make one location feel much larger than it actually is.

This is especially useful when you’re working with a smaller budget.

Use Location Changes Intentionally

More locations don’t automatically make a better music video.

Every location change costs time.

You have to:

  • Pack equipment
  • Move equipment
  • Drive
  • Park
  • Set up again
  • Recreate lighting
  • Reposition the artist
  • Re-establish coverage

Sometimes one location with five strong setups is better than five mediocre locations.

Choose quality over quantity.

Find Locations That Fit the Budget

If your budget is small, don’t build your concept around expensive rental locations.

Look for environments you can legitimately access.

Potential options include:

  • Your own home
  • A friend’s property
  • A local business
  • Public outdoor spaces where filming is permitted
  • Artist studios
  • Rehearsal spaces
  • Creative spaces
  • Parking areas with permission
  • Industrial properties
  • Community spaces

Sometimes you can get permission simply by asking.

Make Ordinary Locations Interesting

You don’t always need an unusual location.

A normal room can become interesting through:

  • Lighting
  • Composition
  • Camera movement
  • Wardrobe
  • Props
  • Color
  • Lens choice
  • Depth of field

A bedroom can become a visual environment.

A parking lot can become a nighttime performance location.

A hallway can become a dramatic sequence.

A kitchen can become surreal.

The location is only one part of the image.

Think About Production Design

Look around the location and ask what can be added or removed.

Maybe the room has:

  • Furniture
  • Posters
  • Plants
  • Lamps
  • Artwork
  • Tools
  • Machinery
  • Objects
  • Clothing
  • Books

You can rearrange things to create a stronger composition.

Sometimes removing three objects from the background makes the entire shot look better.

Sometimes adding one object makes the location feel completely different.

Think About the Artist’s Relationship With the Location

This is something I think is often overlooked.

Don’t just ask:

“Where should the artist stand?”

Ask:

“What is the artist doing here?”

Are they walking?

Sitting?

Performing?

Running?

Interacting with objects?

Moving through the environment?

Standing completely still?

The artist’s relationship with the location can become part of the concept.

Scout for Specific Shots

Instead of just saying:

“This location looks cool.”

Try to identify actual shots.

For example:

Shot 1: Artist standing underneath the fluorescent lights.

Shot 2: Wide shot down the hallway.

Shot 3: Camera follows artist through the doorway.

Shot 4: Close-up against the textured wall.

Shot 5: Wide shot outside during sunset.

Now you know why the location is useful.

You’re not just choosing a place.

You’re choosing a collection of possible images.

Take Photos During the Scout

Take reference photos from potential camera positions.

You don’t need a professional camera.

Your phone is enough.

Photograph:

  • Wide angles
  • Lighting
  • Backgrounds
  • Entrances
  • Parking
  • Possible camera positions
  • Interesting details

Then you can review everything later.

These photos can also become part of your moodboard and shot planning.

Visit at the Same Time You’ll Shoot

This is one of the most important scouting tips.

If you’re shooting at sunset, scout around sunset.

If you’re shooting at midnight, scout at night.

If you’re shooting at noon, scout around noon.

Lighting, traffic, people, businesses, and environmental conditions can change dramatically throughout the day.

You want to know what you’re actually going to encounter.

Create a Location Checklist

Before committing to a location, I would ask:

Creative

  • Does it fit the song?
  • Does it fit the visual concept?
  • Does it have interesting backgrounds?
  • Does it provide depth?
  • Does the color palette work?
  • Can I get multiple different shots here?

Technical

  • Is there enough space?
  • Can I use my lenses?
  • Can I move the camera?
  • Is there usable light?
  • Is there power?
  • Can I set up lights?
  • Is there enough room for equipment?

Production

  • Do I have permission?
  • Can the crew access the location?
  • Is there parking?
  • Are there time restrictions?
  • Will other people be there?
  • Can equipment be transported inside?

Safety

  • Is the location structurally safe?
  • Is there traffic?
  • Are there electrical hazards?
  • Are there unstable surfaces?
  • Is weather a concern?
  • Is there a backup plan?

If most of these answers are good, you’ve probably found something worth considering.

You Don’t Need the Perfect Location

There probably isn’t going to be a location that checks every box.

That’s okay.

A location might have incredible architecture but terrible lighting.

Another might have amazing lighting but a boring background.

Another might be perfect visually but difficult to access.

The job is figuring out which limitations you can work around.

Sometimes the limitations are what make you creative.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a music video location is really about finding an environment that gives you something to work with.

You want somewhere that supports the song, the visual concept, the artist, and the way you actually plan to shoot.

It doesn’t have to be expensive.

It doesn’t have to be famous.

It doesn’t even have to be conventionally beautiful.

It just needs to give you interesting images.

When I’m scouting, I’m not only looking at the location itself.

I’m looking through the camera in my head.

I’m thinking about where the artist could stand, where the light could come from, what lens I’d use, how the camera could move, what the background would look like, and what other shots I could get from the same place.

That’s what turns a location into a production location.

Don’t just find somewhere to shoot. Find somewhere that gives you something to shoot.

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By Pop Hitchcock

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