Updated October 1, 2026
Music video locations in NYC
Where to shoot a music video in New York City, which spots are free, and what needs permission. Written by Deadass Cinema, a NYC music video company that shoots in all five boroughs.
Free places to shoot a music video in NYC
- Your own block. Stoops, corners, handball courts and murals. It’s free, and it’s yours.
- Waterfronts with a skyline. DUMBO and Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn, Gantry Plaza in Long Island City, the St. George waterfront on Staten Island.
- Boardwalks. Coney Island and the Rockaways give you open sky and long sightlines.
- Under the tracks. Elevated train lines in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens give you steel, shadow and noise.
- Big public spaces. Times Square at night, the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows, Washington Square Park.
Places that need permission or a fee
- Bodegas, barbershops, bars and stores. Ask the owner. Some say yes for free, some charge.
- Rooftops. You need the building owner’s OK.
- Studios. Photo and video studios rent by the hour and give you control over light and sound.
- Apartments and houses. Fine with the resident’s permission. Tell the neighbors if there will be noise.
- The subway. The MTA has its own rules for filming. Check them before you plan a shoot on a train or platform.
Do you need a permit?
The city’s film office, the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, issues film permits. In general, a small crew with a handheld camera or a tripod on a public sidewalk doesn’t need one. Shoots that block a street or sidewalk, park production vehicles or put equipment on city property do. City parks can have their own rules. The rules change, so check the film office’s site before your shoot date.
How to pick a location for your song
- Match the song. A drill record and an R&B record want different streets.
- Look for three backdrops in one place. One spot with variety beats three spots with travel time.
- Check the light. Visit at the hour you plan to shoot.
- Listen. Loud is fine for a music video, but you need to hear playback.
How locations work on our packages
- Lil Dog, $1,200: one location, and you bring it.
- Big Dog, $2,500 ($2,200 launch rate for the first 5 booked projects): one full shoot day anywhere in NYC, and we scout the location with you.
- Big Boss, $7,500: up to 3 locations in one day.
Some private locations charge their own fee. We flag that when we plan the shoot.
Locations FAQ
Where can I shoot a music video in NYC for free?
Public places: your own block, waterfronts like DUMBO and Gantry Plaza, boardwalks like Coney Island, under elevated train lines, and open spaces like Times Square or Flushing Meadows.
Do I need a permit to shoot a music video in NYC?
A small crew with a handheld camera or a tripod on a public sidewalk generally does not. Shoots that block a street or sidewalk, park production vehicles or set equipment on city property need a permit from the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment. Check the film office's current rules before you shoot.
Do you find the location for me?
On Big Dog and Big Boss we scout the location with you. On Lil Dog you bring the location.
Can we shoot in more than one location?
Big Boss covers up to 3 locations in one shoot day. Lil Dog is one location, and Big Dog is one full shoot day anywhere in NYC.