Should you film your company video in a studio or on location?
The short answer
A studio shoot gives control of light, sound, and backdrop, so it suits interviews, product shots, and headshots on a tight schedule. An on-location shoot shows the real workplace, event, or community, but adds travel, permits, noise, and weather risk. Many Twin Cities projects mix both: interviews in a studio and b-roll on site.
Studio vs on location, side by side
A studio wins on control and schedule risk. On location wins on authenticity.
| What to compare | Studio | On location |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Light, backdrop, and set can stay the same all day. | You work with the light, sound, and layout the place gives you. |
| Cost drivers | Studio time, crew, and any gear you add. | Crew time, travel, moves between sites, and any permits. |
| Schedule risk | Lower. Weather and site access rarely change the day. | Higher. Weather, noise, and access can move the plan. |
| Authenticity | Clean and consistent, but viewers don't see your real place. | Your real workplace or event is right there in the frame. |
| Permits | Usually none, since you're booking private space. | Commercial filming on public streets, sidewalks, and parks usually needs a city or park permit. |
When a studio is the better choice
Go with a studio when the message matters more than the setting. It's a great fit for interviews, testimonials, product shots, and headshots, and for days when several people need to film back to back.
It also keeps a set of campaign videos looking like they belong together.
We shot this Tomorrow's Leaders Today promo entirely in studio to keep the production lean on a tight nonprofit budget.
Our in-house space is Studio 402, a video studio in Minneapolis, with white backgrounds, exposed brick, and blackout light control.
When on location is the better choice
Go on location when the place is part of the story. A factory floor, a clinic, a live event, or a community space shows what a set can't.
For ALD Connect, we traveled to Boston to film one of their leaders in his own environment. For Great Northern Corporation, we filmed across seven of their business locations to show the true scale of the operation.
Still looking for a setting? Take a look at these Twin Cities filming locations. Check film permits in Minneapolis and St. Paul before you lock a date.
Doing both in one project
A lot of projects don't need to pick between a studio and a location. Film the interviews in a studio, where the setup stays the same, then shoot b-roll at your workplace or event so the edit shows the real place.
Chase runs every shoot, in an in-house studio or on location in the Twin Cities. We handle editing in-house.
What to ask before booking a studio
- What does the booking include, and what costs extra?
- Is there a minimum booking?
- How quiet is the room during the hours we want?
- Will the light stay the same all day?
- Where do our people and the crew park?
- Who books the studio, us or our production team?
FAQ
Is it worth renting a studio for a corporate interview video in Minneapolis?
Yes, if you're filming several people in one day or your office is loud. Everyone gets the same light and backdrop, and nobody has to clear out a conference room. If the workplace is part of the story, film on site or mix both.
What are the pros and cons of filming video on location?
The big upside is that viewers see the real place and the real people in it. The tradeoffs are travel, noise, weather, and permits, and any one of them can change your schedule.
How much does a studio or on-location video shoot cost?
Typical projects run $5,000 to $9,500, with full projects from $5,000 to about $25,000. The setting is one thing that moves the quote. Studio time, travel, moves between sites, and sometimes permits can all affect it. Quotes come back 24 hours after the discovery call.
Do I need a permit to film on location in Minneapolis or St. Paul?
Often, yes, for commercial work on public property. Minneapolis requires an obstruction permit for film work on streets, sidewalks, and alleys, and a Park Board permit on park property. St. Paul requires a media permit for production in public space and a permit for commercial filming in city parks. On private property, you'll need the owner's permission.
Can we film in a studio and on location in the same project?
Yes. A common approach is interviews in a studio and b-roll on site, and we film both ways in the Twin Cities.