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Filming commercial spaces, especially large warehouses, comes with its own set of challenges. From navigating the vast size of the space to capturing the key details buyers or renters care about, it’s important to approach the project with careful planning and awareness of safety hazards. This blog will walk you through how to film warehouses safely and effectively, highlighting the dangers of indoor drone flying, the best camera techniques, and how to use music and editing to create an engaging final product.
1. Understanding the Space
Before filming begins, it’s essential to get familiar with the building. Each commercial space has unique features that should be highlighted, including:
Ceiling Height: High ceilings are often a selling point, so be sure to emphasize them.
Rolling Shutter Doors: These are key for showcasing how accessible the warehouse is for trucks or equipment.
Sprinkler Systems & Safety Features: Fire protection and other safety measures like alarms and exits are crucial for tenants or buyers to know about.
Storage & Layout: Make sure to capture the building’s overall layout and any dedicated storage areas or shelving.
Having a clear understanding of the space helps guide your filming approach and ensures that nothing important is overlooked.
2. Always Bring a Safety Officer or Building Expert
One important tip for filming in warehouses is to always have someone familiar with the building—like a safety officer or facility manager—accompany you during the shoot. They can guide you through the space, alert you to potential hazards, and ensure you don’t accidentally press, bump into, or activate any machinery or systems. Warehouses are often filled with technical equipment, and having an expert on hand will help prevent mishaps, ensuring a smooth and safe shoot.
3. The Dangers of Flying Drones Indoors
Flying drones inside a building—especially one with a steel roof—can be risky. Steel can interfere with your drone's signal, and the enclosed space increases the chance of crashing into obstacles like:
Sprinkler Systems
Lighting Fixtures
Beams or Structural Supports
Drones are fantastic tools for capturing sweeping shots, but when flying indoors, there’s little room for error. If you must use a drone inside, make sure to use a spotter and keep the flight paths simple and clear. Alternatively, handheld gimbals are a safer option for capturing smooth interior shots without risking damage to the building or your equipment.
4. Camera Settings: Get the Focus Right
When shooting large spaces like warehouses, your camera settings play a huge role in delivering sharp, high-quality footage. A good rule of thumb is to use a higher f-stop (around f/15+) when shooting wide shots of the building. This will give you a greater depth of field, ensuring that the entire scene is in focus, from the nearest object to the farthest wall. This technique is great for showing off the scale of the warehouse and its interior features without a distracting blurry background.
For more detailed or close-up shots, such as focusing on a rolling shutter door or control panel, switch to a lower f-stop(like f/2.8 - f/5.6). This will create a shallow depth of field, allowing the background to blur slightly and keeping the focus on the subject. It’s a great way to draw attention to important features or highlight the craftsmanship of certain elements without overwhelming the viewer with too much detail in the background.
5. Lighting Considerations
Warehouses typically have uneven lighting, which can be challenging. Here are some tips to handle lighting effectively:
Portable LED Lights: These are incredibly useful for filling in darker areas or spotlighting key features.
Natural Light: If the warehouse has windows or skylights, take advantage of the natural light by shooting during daylight hours. Natural light helps to brighten the space, making it look more inviting.
Highlighting Safety Features: Use your lighting setup to make sure key safety features like fire exits, alarms, and sprinklers are clearly visible.
6. Capturing the Scale and Layout
The vastness of a warehouse is one of its main selling points, so capturing its full scale on camera is essential. To achieve this:
Wide-Angle Lenses: These are perfect for capturing the entire space in one frame, giving viewers a real sense of the building’s size.
Slow Sweeping Shots: Whether using a drone (outdoors or in safe, open indoor areas) or a handheld gimbal, slow sweeping shots can beautifully convey the openness of the space.
Focus on Key Features: While wide shots are important, don’t forget to zoom in on key elements like the sprinkler system, loading bays, or industrial equipment. These are details that potential tenants or buyers care about.
7. Editing Tips for Professional Results
The editing process is where you’ll tie everything together. Here’s how to create a polished final product:
Smooth Transitions: Use clean, smooth transitions between wide and close-up shots to keep the video flowing seamlessly. Abrupt cuts can disrupt the viewer's experience.
Balance Wide and Close-Up Shots: Start with wide-angle shots to introduce the space, then transition to close-ups to highlight specific details, like sprinkler systems or rolling shutter doors.
Color Grading: Warehouses can sometimes look drab due to their industrial nature. Color grading can help brighten up the footage and make the space look more inviting and professional.
8. Music Matters
Music is an often-overlooked element, but it can make or break the feel of your video. The right soundtrack can help set the tone:
Upbeat Music for Modern Spaces: If the warehouse is new and designed for high-tech businesses, upbeat, modern music can create a fresh, forward-thinking feel.
Industrial Sounds for Older Buildings: For older, more industrial spaces, using slower, deeper, or more mechanical soundtracks can evoke a sense of durability and strength.
Remember, the music should complement the visuals and not overpower them. A subtle, well-chosen track can elevate the entire video and make it more engaging.
Our Final Thoughts on Filming Commercial Spaces and Warehouses:
Filming warehouses and commercial spaces can be a challenge, but with careful planning, the right gear, and a focus on safety, you can deliver high-quality videos that showcase the property’s best features. Always be cautious when using drones indoors, and ensure you capture all the critical elements of the space that clients want to see.
At duPlooyMedia, we specialize in creating stunning visuals for commercial properties. If you’re looking for professional footage of your warehouse or business space, get in touch with us today!
Contact details: 079 326 0822 pierre@duplooymedia.com
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