Choosing the location for your shoot is an important factor in determining the quality and character of your video. Do you have a technical product that you want to feature in a clean, sparse environment? Or is an outdoors product that needs to be seen out in action out in the dirt for people to get excited about it? Whatever the situation, there are 4 main considerations to take into account: lighting, sound, accessibility, and character.

Lighting: Ideally, there is plenty of natural light available, preferably either outdoors or through large windows. If you're shooting outdoors, you'll want to avoid being in direct sunlight during the late morning and afternoon, as the overhead sun will cast harsh shadows on your actors. If you're inside, be aware of the overhead lights; fluorescents can turn your actor's skin green, and incandescents will have an orange-ish cast (more info on how to deal with this in the lighting section below).

Sound: sound is a critical piece of your production. If you are on a noisy street, or in a manufacturing facility, you need to have the skill to mic your actors carefully so that they aren't drowned out by background noise; in most cases, it is preferable to avoid these situations.

Accessibility: you'll likely need at least a half-day at your shooting location, possibly more. Try to find a place where you can work without getting in the way of other people, or at least let them know you need to block out this time for your shoot.

Character: you want your surroundings to accentuate your product and values; are you shooting a high-tech product that would benefit from a clean, well-lit space with no distractions? Or is it a more urban product that would look great in a brick and concrete loft? Whatever the choice, try to make sure your location fits and complements your product.