Video production company in Melbourne, Australia.
Taking the time to choose the right location is an important part of planning a video. It helps tell the story and gives viewers useful context about the people, work or events on screen. It also affects how the video looks and sounds, what we can film and how smoothly the filming day runs.
Dream Engine pre-production
During pre-production, we work with you to choose the right location for the video. We consider the story, what viewers need to see and what will work in practice.
Sometimes the video needs to be filmed at your workplace so viewers can see your team, equipment or day-to-day work. Other times, an outdoor location or studio will be a better option.
Once we know what needs to be filmed, we check the light, sound, space, access, privacy and safety. Taking the time to do this early means we can solve problems or plan around them before the crew arrives.
Where to film
Sometimes the answer is clear. Other times, we compare the options with you and explain how each one would affect the look of the video and the practical side of filming.
For corporate video production, your workplace is often the obvious choice when the video needs to show your people, equipment or day-to-day work. We look for a quiet area with a good background and enough room for the crew, while planning around the parts of the business that need to keep running.
Filming outdoors can show people, activities or events in the setting where they happen. We check access, weather, changing light, background noise, public activity and any permits before filming.
A studio gives us more control over sound, lighting and continuity. It can work well for a built set, green screen, several cameras or a long shoot where the conditions need to stay consistent.
Location assessment
We check for anything that could affect the footage or slow down the shoot. It is better to sort those details out before the crew arrives.
Camera angles, backgrounds, available light, reflections, clutter and anything private or distracting that should stay out of shot.
Traffic, air conditioning, machinery, lifts, nearby building work and conversations in adjoining spaces.
Enough room for the people being filmed, cameras, lights, sound equipment and any action we need to capture.
Parking, loading, lifts, stairs, power, equipment storage, site contacts and arrival times.
Who controls the location, who may be filmed, permits, inductions, restricted areas and visible private information.
Changes in daylight, noise, activity and weather, along with what we will do if conditions change.
The right level of planning
Not for every shoot. A straightforward office interview can often be planned using current photos, a floor plan, a short phone video or a video call.
We recommend a location visit, or recce, when being there could change how we plan the shoot. This is more likely when the production involves:
Common questions
Usually, yes. We regularly film in offices, factories, warehouses, schools, campuses, construction sites and other working environments. We look for the areas that will film well while causing as little disruption as possible.
Yes. We can help find and organise a suitable location as part of the production. If the project needs an extensive search, road control or specialist location management, we can bring in a specialist location manager.
There is no fixed minimum. Some distance between the person and the background usually gives us better framing and more room for equipment. Sound and interruptions are just as important as the size of the room.
You will normally need permission from whoever controls a private location. Some public and council-managed spaces also require a permit. We identify this early and help coordinate what is needed.
We may use a quieter room, film at a better time or arrange to stop machinery, air conditioning or nearby activity while we record. For outdoor filming, we agree on a backup plan beforehand. That might mean using an indoor alternative, changing the outdoor shot list or moving the filming date.
Tell us what you have in mind. We can talk through the options, answer your questions and explain what would be involved.
