Creating high-quality video content involves many factors, and one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make is selecting the right location. Whether you’re producing explainer videos for a tech startup, corporate training videos, or a product demonstration, the environment in which you film significantly impacts the final result. The location helps convey the tone, supports the narrative, and ensures the content resonates with your audience.
As a professional explainer video production agency, we understand how essential the right setting is to produce clear, engaging content. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the factors to consider when choosing the perfect location, dive into popular vlog and explainer video settings, and offer expert tips for setting up your video production to succeed. Whether using a simple iPhone setup or an advanced camera rig, the following insights will help you elevate your video production game and enhance your brand’s storytelling.
1. Understanding Your Audience and Content
Before choosing a location, you must clearly understand your target audience and the type of content you’re creating. Different environments appeal to other demographics. For instance, if you’re creating an explainer video for a cutting-edge tech product, you’ll want a sleek, modern setting to match the product’s innovation. On the other hand, if your target audience is more lifestyle-focused, a cosy, homey environment may be more fitting.
The type of content you’re producing also plays a significant role in determining the ideal location. Here are some considerations:
- Corporate Videos: If you’re producing an explainer video for a B2B audience, filming in a professional office space or a clean, minimalistic environment adds to the credibility and formality of the video.
- Lifestyle Videos: For content such as fitness tutorials or home improvement guides, shooting in an environment that feels relatable and approachable, like a home or casual setting, can make the content feel more authentic.
- Product Explainers: When filming product explainer videos, consider the theme of the product and how the location can complement it. For instance, a beauty product might benefit from a bright, clean studio, while an outdoor equipment video may call for a natural, outdoor backdrop.
Once you have a firm grasp of your audience and the type of content you’re creating, you can make an informed decision about the location that will best support your video’s narrative and tone.
2. Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Vlog or Explainer Video Location
Selecting the right location goes beyond just finding a visually appealing space—it involves multiple technical and aesthetic factors that ensure the quality of your video. Here are the most important elements to consider when choosing a vlog or explainer video location:
Lighting Conditions
Lighting is arguably the most critical element of any video production. Whether you’re filming an explainer video or a vlog, good lighting makes a world of difference in how professional your content looks.
- Natural Light: The best type of lighting is natural light. Large windows or shooting outdoors can provide even, soft light that flatters the subject and creates a professional, natural look. The golden hours—early mornings and late afternoons—are especially good for outdoor shoots as the sun provides a warm, diffused glow.
- Artificial Lighting: If you’re shooting indoors or when natural light isn’t available, investing in artificial lighting is crucial. Softbox lights, LED panels, and ring lights are affordable and effective options to ensure your subject is well-lit. The key is to balance your lighting to avoid harsh shadows while illuminating the subject evenly.
For explainer videos, the goal is clarity and professionalism, so lighting should highlight your speaker or product without overwhelming the scene.
Background Elements
The background of your video plays an equally important role in setting the tone. For explainer videos, a clean, minimalist backdrop is often ideal. Busy or cluttered backgrounds distract from the content and can confuse the viewer. Ideally, choose a background that is neutral in colour and tone, ensuring that your subject remains the focal point.
- Minimalist Backgrounds: These are best suited for educational content, explainer videos, or corporate tutorials where the content should take centre stage.
- Thematic Backgrounds: For product explainer videos or lifestyle content, incorporate subtle props that relate to the subject matter. For example, if you’re explaining a fitness app, a gym environment or workout equipment in the background can enhance the video’s thematic relevance without cluttering the scene.
Keep in mind that the background should never compete with the subject; it should only serve to enhance the overall aesthetic.
Noise Levels
Sound quality is as important as video quality. Background noise can ruin an otherwise great video, making it hard for viewers to focus on your message. Always choose a quiet location to film your explainer video.
- Indoor Noise: If you’re filming indoors, look for locations away from noisy appliances, air conditioners, or high-traffic areas. For example, filming in a conference room or home office can help ensure you get a quiet, controlled environment.
- Outdoor Noise: While outdoor locations offer stunning visuals, they can come with challenges like wind, traffic noise, or people talking in the background. If filming outdoors, ensure you have good microphones (such as lapel mics or shotgun mics) that capture the speaker’s voice clearly while minimizing ambient noise.
Access to Power Sources
Many video productions require power for cameras, lights, and other equipment. Before settling on a location, ensure there are enough power outlets to accommodate your needs. Whether you’re filming in a studio or on location, having reliable access to power will prevent any interruptions during your shoot.
For outdoor shoots or locations without easy access to power, portable power solutions, like external batteries or portable generators, can keep your shoot running smoothly.
Thematic Relevance of the Location
The location you choose should align with the thematic elements of your content. For example, if you’re making an explainer video about an outdoor adventure app, filming in a park, mountain trail, or beach would make sense and add authenticity to your narrative. Likewise, if you’re explaining a new product, such as a tech gadget, shooting in a clean, modern environment will resonate with your audience and highlight the product’s sleek design.
Always ensure that the location reinforces the message you’re trying to convey. If you’re creating corporate explainer videos, shooting in a professional office setting will add credibility and context.
Comfort and Space
Consider the space you need for both yourself and your production crew. Cramped locations can make the production process stressful and hinder your ability to capture the best shots. Make sure the location provides enough room for you, your crew, and your equipment. This is especially important if you’re working with a team, as everyone needs to be able to move around freely to ensure a smooth filming process.
3.How to Pick the Perfect Location for Your Video Production
Choosing the right location for your video production can feel overwhelming, but breaking down the decision-making process into manageable steps can help you identify the perfect space that elevates your video. First, start by defining the purpose and tone of your video. Ask yourself: What emotion or action do I want the audience to take after watching this video? If it’s an educational explainer video, a clean, professional space would be ideal to emphasize clarity. If you’re creating a motivational piece for a lifestyle brand, a cozy, relatable environment might be better suited.
Once you’ve identified the purpose, match the location to your brand’s identity. A corporate brand should opt for a polished, minimalist environment, while a lifestyle brand might benefit from an authentic, homely space. Keep in mind that your location doesn’t need to be extravagant—it should serve your narrative. Simplicity often works best, especially if you’re showcasing a product or concept in an explainer video. For example, filming a tech gadget in a cluttered, artistic setting could confuse your audience. On the other hand, a tech product filmed against a simple white backdrop or in a sleek, modern office environment would focus attention on the product itself.
Next, plan your logistics and accessibility. Consider factors like travel time to the location, parking availability, and if you need special permits to shoot. Ensuring your team can easily access the location will save time on shoot day and reduce stress. Lastly, account for flexibility in your location. A location that allows you to adjust lighting, control noise, and capture a variety of angles will make a huge difference during filming. Scout the location beforehand, and test your equipment to make sure the space meets your technical requirements.
By carefully weighing these factors, you can confidently select the perfect location that enhances your video’s narrative, ensures high-quality production, and resonates with your audience.
4. Popular Vlog and Explainer Video Locations and Their Benefits
Now that we’ve covered the key factors to consider when selecting a location, let’s dive into some of the most popular vlog and explainer video locations and how each setting benefits different types of content.
Outdoor Locations
Outdoor locations provide natural beauty and dynamic backdrops, making them perfect for travel vlogs, fitness content, or nature documentaries. From urban streets to peaceful beaches, the environment can help tell your story visually.
- Best For: Travel vlogs, fitness videos, lifestyle content, nature documentaries.
- Challenges: Unpredictable weather, inconsistent lighting, and potential noise disruptions.
For explainer videos that focus on outdoor or adventure products, shooting in an actual outdoor environment adds authenticity and helps create a stronger connection with the audience. However, outdoor shoots require flexibility, as weather conditions may change, so it’s essential to be prepared with backup plans.
Home Studios
Home studios offer full control over your shooting environment. This is ideal for vloggers or companies looking for consistent content. A home studio allows you to manipulate lighting, sound, and the background to match your brand or video theme.
- Best For: Explainer videos, product demonstrations, educational content, interviews.
- Challenges: Initial setup costs, and limitations in space.
Setting up a dedicated home studio gives you the freedom to film whenever you need to, without worrying about external disruptions. It’s perfect for explainer videos that require clean, professional environments. Consider adding personal touches like branded decor or props related to your content for added visual appeal.
Cafés and Restaurants
If you’re looking for a casual, relatable environment, cafés and restaurants provide the perfect backdrop. These locations are especially popular for food-related content or lifestyle vlogs. The warm, inviting atmosphere adds an element of comfort to your videos.
- Best For: Food reviews, lifestyle content, casual business vlogs.
- Challenges: Noise levels, lack of control over lighting, and permission requirements.
Filming in public spaces requires you to consider logistics such as obtaining filming permission and managing the background noise, but if done correctly, cafés and restaurants can add a human touch to your videos.
Co-working Spaces
Co-working spaces offer a sleek, modern environment that’s great for corporate vlogs or business-related explainer videos. These spaces are designed to promote productivity and innovation, making them perfect for content that targets professionals or entrepreneurs.
- Best For: Corporate videos, business explainer videos, and startup content.
- Challenges: Cost of renting space, ensuring minimal background activity.
If you’re creating explainer videos for a tech company or a startup, filming in a co-working space can enhance your video’s professionalism and make it feel more authentic.
Beaches and Parks
For travel vlogs or outdoor lifestyle content, beaches, and parks are great locations. The natural surroundings offer visually engaging content, while the lighting is often soft and flattering, especially during golden hours.
- Best For: Travel vlogs, outdoor product explainer videos, environmental content.
- Challenges: Weather sensitivity, noise distractions from nature or other people.
Natural settings such as beaches and parks work especially well for products or services related to the outdoors, such as camping gear, water sports, or eco-friendly brands.
5. Final Tips for Perfecting Your Location Setup
To ensure your location choice works for your explainer video or vlog, follow these additional tips:
- Scout the Location Ahead of Time: Visit the location before filming to evaluate lighting, noise, and background elements. This allows you to make adjustments before the shoot.
- Test Your Equipment: Test your cameras, microphones, and lighting equipment in the location to ensure everything works as expected.
- Consider Travel Time and Accessibility: Choose a location that’s easy to access, especially if you have a crew or need to transport equipment. Long travel times can eat into your production schedule.
- Plan for Multiple Shots: Look for a location that provides versatility for different shots, angles, and setups. This will give your video a dynamic feel and help you avoid a monotonous look.
Conclusion
Selecting the right location for your vlog or explainer video is essential to creating high-quality content that resonates with your audience. From ensuring good lighting to aligning the location with your brand’s message, every choice you make contributes to the final product. Whether you’re filming in a studio, a café, or an outdoor location, taking the time to plan and consider all the factors will help ensure your videos are visually compelling, engaging, and professional.
At Wenimate, we specialize in creating explainer videos that break down complex ideas into engaging, easy-to-understand visuals. By choosing the right location and optimizing every aspect of your video production, you can ensure your message is conveyed in the most impactful way possible. Additionally, we offer a free video project estimation to help you plan your budget and expectations effectively.
Contact us today to discuss your video production needs!
