Planning a multi-location video campaign in Washington DC requires more than creativity, it demands a realistic timeline that accounts for permits, logistics, and local production challenges. As a Washington DC video production company, Striking Media has extensive experience managing multi-location shoots across DC, Arlington, Bethesda, and Alexandria. We know that a successful multi-location shoot can’t be perfect with just a talented crew and great equipment. Here’s an example of a multi-location video campaign that we shot across Arlington. The backbone of every production (but ESPECIALLY multi-location shoots) is planning ahead, building flexibility into your plan, and aligning every production phase with our client’s campaign goals.
Start with Video Campaign Strategy
As much as you may want to film with the capital building in the background of your video it’s important to consider your goals and develop a campaign strategy before planning locations.
Consider these questions about your campaign:
- What is the primary goal of this campaign?
- Is this for marketing, internal communications, recruitment, or advocacy?
- Will videos be released all at once or in phases?
- Are there external deadlines?
How to Build a Pre-Production Timeline for Video Shoots
Pre-production is the most critical phase of any multi-location video production in Washington DC. In most situations the pre-production phase needs more time than you might expect, between 2-4 weeks.
Here are some of the key pre-production milestones that should be touched on:
- Concept Development and Video Scripting
- Location Scouting for Washington DC
- Permits and Permissions for Filming in Washington DC
- Talent and Scheduling Across Multiple Locations
- Production Logistics for Multi-Location Shoots
The Realities of Multi-Location Production
A “full day of shooting” doesn’t necessarily mean eight straight hours of filming especially when moving locations. This is just one of many realities you will end up facing if you aren’t prepared.
Realities:
- Managing Traffic and Travel Between Locations
- Washington DC is known for traffic so make sure to include time for travel in between According to WUSA9 even the day of the week changes how busy traffic may be, Wednesday being the busiest.
- TRY THIS: Grouping locations and traveling to locations close to one another to minimize required travel and plan longer distances during less busy traffic time.
- Security delays and Access Restrictions
- Despite what permits you may have acquired you may still be stopped by security and asked to relocate with little notice.
- TRY THIS: Make sure you have a printed version of your filming permit for quick access and regardless be cooperative and respectful of security.
- Noise restrictions and Environmental Challenges
- Some neighborhoods or buildings have filming hour limitations or may get loud at certain times.
- TRY THIS: While location scouting make sure to ask about noise restrictions or if there’s any time when the area may get particularly noisy or busy.
- Weather Contingency Planning for DC
- DC weather can be
- TRY THIS: Having an indoor backup option is a good choice but ultimately planning a rain date is your best choice.
Stagger or Consolidate Multi-Location Shoot Days?
Multi-location campaigns require the decision on if you will consolidate filming, fewer, longer days, or stagger filming, across several shorter days or weeks. Here are some pros and cons of each method.
Consolidated Shoots
Pros:
- Faster production timeline
- Lower total crew costs
- Easier creative continuity
Cons:
- More pressure on each shoot day
- Less flexibility if schedule changes
- Long days for crew and talent
Staggered Shoots
Pros:
- Easier scheduling for talent
- Ability to make adjustments throughout
Cons
- Flexibility for weather and permits
- Longer timeline
- Potentially higher costs
- Requires more organization
On a recent shoot with the US Army with photographer Jonthan Thorpe, Striking Media helped in producing and scheduling each day of this two day shoot. The first day felt more like a consolidated shoot, a longer day but all in one location, only moving to different rooms at one shooting location. The day didn’t end up being as long as expected since all the talent stayed at the location in case needed. For the second day of shooting the day was divided in half by two different locations, one outdoors in the morning at a park and the other at a house. Splitting the day in half by location made it easy to only keep talent for the part of the day when they’re in front of the camera. Having this hybrid approach worked best for us but every shoot is completely different and requires nuance and expert planning.
Work with a Video Production Company Who Knows Washington DC
One of the best ways to protect your campaign timeline is to work with a video production team with experience working in Washington DC and producing a multi-location video campaign.
Choosing a company with local expertise means:
- Familiarity with permit offices
- Knowledge of neighborhood-specific challenges (and the best solutions!)
- Established relationships with location managers or local authorities
- Realistic scheduling based on lived experience
When you choose a local production partner you can expect someone who can keep an on track campaign, an aligned team, and the investment in your video protected. We can ensure all those things, so schedule a discovery call with Striking Media, a Washington DC video production company, to plan your next multi-location video campaign or any of your photo or video needs!
Frequently Asked Questions About Multi-Location Video Shoots in Washington DC
How far in advance should a multi-location video shoot be planned?
For multi-location shoot in Washington DC, we recommended planning at least 4 weeks in advance.
Do I need permits to film in Washington, DC?
Very often the answer is yes, especially public spaces, parks, sidewalks, and near government buildings. Private locations also may require written
What is the biggest mistake companies make when planning multi-location shoots?
The most common mistake is underestimating the time required for planning and pre-production and permit approval times.
How do you schedule filming efficiently across multiple DC locations?
Grouping locations based on proximity, lighting conditions, and permit
Author Bio:
Striking Media is led by Helen Saks. British born, Helen started her career at the BBC Television Centre in London and has worked in comedy, entertainment, news, documentary and spent years on the daytime show “This Morning” (think “Good Morning America.”) She started Northern Virginia-based Striking Media in 2020 and works with a passionate team of production talent. We are proud to work with corporate and no profit clients elevating your brand and telling your story. Our team is proud to have worked with clients such as the US Army, Lego, Legal&General, Boy Scouts of America, LuluLemon, Sheraton Hotels, Canon USA, South Moon Under, World Bank and United Nations.
