Upstate New York has glistening lakes, hiking trails, and cascading waterfalls, and it's also where you'll find Syracuse. Centrally located in New York State, the Onondaga County city has a fantastic food scene and year-round festivals. It provides a getaway to outdoor adventures. Life centers around educational institutions like Syracuse University and the buzz of activity around downtown Syracuse.
Visit Destiny USA, one of the country's largest malls, for some retail therapy. Lake Ontario is a short distance from the downtown core, welcoming you to stroll along the shores. The Landmark Theatre and other entertainment spots around town celebrate the local arts culture.
Of course, it's also a film and television production hub, with many cinematic spots around town primed for movie and photo shoots. Giggster can help you find film shoot locations in Syracuse; browse our listings and rent the best space for a successful production.
Home to Syracuse University, Destiny USA, and an endless list of unique film shoot locations, "The Salt City" is an ideal production setting for short and feature films. Giggster can help you find film shoot locations in Syracuse, NY, with sound, lighting, and camera equipment for your next project.
Plan your music video shoot in a downtown Syracuse studio with large windows and beautiful views. Look for a location with wooden floors and enough room for production equipment, crew, and talent.
Rent a historical museum as one of your movie locations. Giggster can help you find a venue with interactive elements and indoor and outdoor areas where your team can film different scenes. Most galleries also have meeting and presentation rooms.
Book a theater or cinema-style music concert venue for a play, movie premiere, or film shoot. Look for a venue with a high ceiling, adjustable lighting equipment, and a flexible layout.
Produce your short film in a Victorian mansion with a high ceiling, brick walls, and other cinematic features. The property has indoor and outdoor filming areas and can serve as the sole production setting.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Syracuse has a production location for the job. Browse our 15 listings to find the best setting for your short film or event. From a community wellness space to an underground indie shopping locale, the right setting for your creative scene awaits!
Hassle-Free Booking: Giggster's filters can narrow your search, producing results that meet your requirements. Each listing includes rental fees and a message option, allowing you to contact the property owner.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Giggster has a 24-hour cancellation policy, giving a grace period to adjust your booking after confirmation. You can cancel as long as the booking is made at least 48 hours before the scheduled film shoot.
Platform Protections: After checkout, opt for an event liability plan. This is usually a requirement for applying for a film permit. Giggster also offers optional damage and cancellation protection plans.
Syracuse is the birthplace of many famous personalities, including Ernie Davis. The Syracuse University football star was the first African American player to win a Heisman Trophy. The town is also home to Destiny USA and many cinematic settings; Giggster can help you book the best backdrop for your feature film shoot. However, before booking a space, learn more about the pros and cons of working on a creative project in the city.
Advantages
This central New York city is your getaway to the great outdoors, with proximity to forests, lakes, and state parks. The scenic landscapes also serve as cinematic backdrops.
Syracuse has an excellent food scene, with restaurants serving American classics and international fare. Most dining establishments also provide on-location catering services.
As a college city, filmmakers can source talent and interns from the Syracuse University student population.
Disadvantages
Syracuse's winters are below freezing like the rest of New York State. The weather lasts from October to February, making it nearly impossible to host outdoor shoots.
The local public transport system is not far reaching, so private vehicles are necessary, especially when filming in town.
Traffic is concentrated in downtown Syracuse and spreads to nearby neighborhoods. Giggster can help you rent an easy-to-reach film space around Central New York.
Syracuse offers diverse filming options, from massive production houses with film offices and in-house marketing teams to lofts and private homes. Giggster can help you rent the best feature film premiere or production setting, like Underground Indie Shopping + Creative Venue. Our recommendations for video and photography project locations in Syracuse should inspire your decision.
Sound Stages – Feature Film Production. A sound stage is a top filming location because it allows filmmakers to control sound and lighting conditions more effectively. The location usually offers a range of equipment, crew, and a marketing team. You can also build custom film sets on the property.
Theaters – Movie Premiers. Theaters and playhouses are classic movie premiere venues that can also host industry events. They have large screens, adjustable lighting, and high-quality sound systems, all required for screening events. Theaters also have plenty of space for large audiences, interviews, and photo backdrops.
Loft Studios – Music Video Shoots. Loft studios are flexible music video backdrops. The open space usually features natural light, a high ceiling, and plenty of room for equipment, lighting gear, the crew, and talent.
Office Buildings – Commercials. Offices are versatile production locations, with boardrooms, cubicles, and cafeterias that can all function as separate filming backdrops. They're the perfect place to record commercials, brand documentaries, and instructional videos.
Restaurants – Film Industry Events. Restaurants are popular for recording dining scenes and hosting wrap parties or other celebrations. They usually also provide on-location catering services for various events and film teams.
Syracuse has an ideal space for your documentary, commercial, or film shoot. Giggster can help you find a film shoot space anywhere in New York State and beyond. Once you book the perfect production setting, use these tips to plan for success.
Go on a Location Recce – Message the property owner through our website and request a virtual visit to determine if the film shoot location works for your project. Lighting, sound, and a camera should top your "must-have" list. If there's room to build a custom film set, that's a plus.
Tell a Story – Every screen project has a goal, and a script serves as a reference or reminder. It can also guide most other filming aspects, most importantly, the location search process. A script helps package the message or expected visuals engagingly.
Hire a Crew – Whether shooting a short or feature film, a team is needed. Producers, directors, and cinematographers are the first people a production should hire. They help greatly with the location scouting and talent casting processes.
Get Catering Services – Food on set is a basic requirement. It helps everyone recharge during breaks and keeps the production on schedule because everyone can stay put. A professional caterer can customize your menu and deliver meals to your shoot location.
As a city in NY, Syracuse is expensive. However, Giggster can get you started on the right foot by helping you rent an affordable filming location for as low as $30/hour. That is the first way you can lower your budget, and here are other tips for reducing costs without lowering the production quality.
Negotiate the rental fees.
Most filming locations listed on Giggster have different event and film shoot rates. The price will increase if you opt for in-house crew services, equipment rentals, and editing services. Message the host through our website for a custom price and ask for bundle packages, including the venue and equipment.
Rent lighting equipment.
Cameras and lighting equipment are among the most expensive filming equipment. Leasing them allows you to get the latest equipment without breaking the bank. It also makes sense if you have a tight budget or are a novice filmmaker.
Film some of the scenes in a studio.
Studios can significantly lower your filming budget because you can complete the job quickly. They have soundproofed walls and adjustable lighting equipment, allowing you to control two of the most important and challenging filming aspects that can delay on-location shoots.
That wraps up our rundown of the best film shoot locations in Syracuse, which you can easily book through the app. Explore our listings to find and book the best video or photo shoot location today!
