From movies like Forrest Gump to TV shows like Dawson's Creek, many iconic productions have been shot in North Carolina. And that's not surprising because in the state's capital alone, you'll discover a wonderful blend of historic neighborhoods, lush green spaces, and urban landscapes that offer a diverse backdrop for any story.
If you're looking for filming locations in Raleigh to help bring your next creative dream to life, it's easy to find your perfect backdrop on Giggster. It's a treasure trove of exciting film-ready spots, from fancy studios in downtown Raleigh to sleek lofts and charming historic homes just outside the heart of the city.
With our curated selection of Raleigh filming locations and studios on the Giggster app, the next opportunity to make your project shine is right at your fingertips. Regardless of whether you're making a music video, a big-budget movie, or any other type of project, we have exactly what you need. Download the app today and start searching for your perfect place without breaking the bank.
Giggster makes it easy to access studios and filming sites that offer something much more than your average venue. If you're searching for a plethora of unique filming locations to help take your video project to the next level, we've got you covered with a host of inspiring spaces.
When you want the open space and rustic charm, a farm is available for your next shoot. Or, rent a beautiful midtown luxury home with multiple rooms and green areas for indoor and outdoor shoots.
Need to capture some awesome imagery in front of a green screen? You'll find a wide variety of high-end professional studios located in Raleigh to suit different productions.
From mid-century modern and Tudor style, luxury homes to humble suburban settings, you'll find a diverse variety of private homes for filming family dramas, lifestyle shots, documentaries, etc, in the Raleigh area.
No matter whether you're an actor, camera operator, producer, or director, you'll be thrilled by the location options on offer in Raleigh. From city scenes in the heart of downtown Raleigh to gorgeous rural settings with rolling hills and stunning lakes, there are creative possibilities aplenty for your film or photo shoot.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Choose from 53 wonderful studios and inspiring film locations in Raleigh on the Giggster app. For as little as $38/hour, you can secure a filming-ready space for your video shoot.
Hassle-Free Booking: Booking film and photo shoot locations is simple and stress-free with Giggster. With convenient filters to help you find properties that suit your needs, plus transparent pricing info and the chance to communicate with the venue owner before booking, you can plan your next shoot with absolute confidence and zero surprises in Raleigh.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: If you need to change your plans, you'll be glad to hear that you can cancel your booking for free within 24 hours of confirmation, provided the booking is made at least 48 hours before the shoot.
Platform Protections: A film shoot or photo shoot can be a stressful affair, so give yourself added peace of mind when planning productions by adding optional damage, liability, and cancellation protection to your booking when you rent a space like Studio Space with Adjoining Kitchen.
There's no doubt that Raleigh, NC, has everything you need to provide the perfect backdrop for your production project. But before you decide to transport your crew and equipment here or book a space for a shoot or event, check out the pros and cons of such a decision.
Advantages
Historic brick streets, modern downtown buildings, tree-lined residential areas, classic American homes, and even beautiful lakes and forests nearby are easily accessible in Raleigh, NC, and they all make amazing settings to play, have fun, and shoot video content.
North Carolina offers a range of incentives to encourage filmmakers to visit North Carolina and create projects there.
You can look forward to an easy process of finding crew members and other creative professionals for your movie or photo shoot in Raleigh, NC.
Disadvantages
Although growing, the established crew base of Raleigh isn't as massive or specialized as what you'd find in major cities like New York or Los Angeles. So if you have a huge project or highly specialized production, you may still need to bring in key personnel from outside the city.
If you're looking for massive soundstages or a great space like the ones you'll find in LA or Atlanta, you might only have a few options or have to look elsewhere.
Popular Raleigh filming sites often come with high price tags, so you'll need a bigger budget for your video project to happen.
With so many filming locations in North Carolina's capital, there's no shortage of options to consider when choosing a space for your video shoot. Prepare your camera and crew, and create your story in these picture-perfect Raleigh locales:
Film Studios – Studio Time. This is your blank canvas, often featuring open spaces, high ceilings, soundproofing, and a controlled environment, ensuring that intense heat or sudden rain won't delay your shoot. It's where you go when you need everything in one place, from lighting to props.
Hair Salons – Authentic and American. Add real-world authenticity to your movies and TV shows when you film in a busy retail space like a popular hair salon. Who needs to build a salon set from scratch when there are numerous options already for your crew in Raleigh?
Bars – Raise a Glass. A bar or pub is one of those settings that's remarkably versatile and a staple ingredient of a wide range of projects. With large windows that let in plenty of natural light, a breezy loft located in downtown Raleigh offers filmmakers a lot of room to work their magic.
Private Gardens – Greenery With the Scenery. If your video project calls for outdoor footage in a pretty and peaceful garden space, there are plenty of unique options to consider in the Raleigh area. You don't need to spend a lot on lighting because you'll get a vibrant, well-lit, and organic backdrop without much effort.
Houses with a Backyard or Pool – Indoor and Outdoor Shoots. For the best of both worlds, a house with a swimming pool or a spacious backyard is the ultimate combo deal. You have the interior of a home to use for indoor shots and the exterior, so you don't have to travel between places to finish your video content.
Ready to get started on your Raleigh video project? Here's what you need to do to bring your creative vision to life.
Make a Plan – No matter whether you're planning a film, photo shoot, or any other creative project, start planning with a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Know what shots you need to capture, what emotions you want to evoke in your audience, and what the finished product will look like.
Set the Date and Budget – Decide on which day (or night) you need to rent a space, and do the math to work out exactly how much you can afford to spend on your movie or photo shoot.
Book a Film Production Location – Compare Raleigh locations to find your ideal filming site. Whatever you want in a location—a downtown Raleigh or North Hills location, lots of natural light, stunning views of the natural landscape, an excellent host, modern decor, capacity to house your team, or anything else—shop around to find the best studios and private filming locations.
Hire Cast and Crew – From actors to camera operators, make-up artists, audio technicians, and much more, now is the time to hire all the key people you need to participate in your shoot.
Organize Extras – There are numerous smaller details that need to come together for your video production. Maybe you need to build an entire set, hire security staff, organize a trailer for your lead actor, hire props, or add extra furniture. Booking catering for the day of your shoot will also be helpful.
If you're on a tight budget for your video shoot, use these simple tips below to help reduce your filming costs.
Plan your shoot.
Start by making a detailed plan for your filming day. What scenes will be shot, featuring which cast and crew, and in which order will they be filmed? A clear and concise plan will allow you to make the most of your time at the venue you rent.
Broaden your search radius.
Downtown Raleigh may be a fantastic location for any video project, but you might be surprised just how much money you can save if you're willing to head to the suburbs or even rural locations. The further you are from the city center, the better your chances of finding a budget-friendly bargain.
Use the price search filter.
Make use of Giggster's price filter to ensure that you only compare filming locations in Raleigh that fit your budget. You can then take your time shopping around for the best deal.
Where you film is just as important as the characters in the story to tell a compelling narrative, so take your time to scout great locations that resonate with the themes and mood of your script. Download the Giggster apps today to discover some of the best filming locations in Raleigh, North Carolina, that add authenticity to your visuals.
