The honest answer: it depends almost entirely on the location. Between "a few weeks is plenty" and "we need several months of lead time" sits, for us, almost always the same question: are we filming an existing show, or are we opening up an unusual location specifically for the shoot?
Two very different starting points
In practice, every inquiry we get falls into one of two very different scenarios that determine the lead time. One is an existing show at a regular venue, where the stage, lighting, and sound pickup already exist. The other is an unusual location chosen specifically for the shoot, which first has to be set up. Both are entirely legitimate, but they need a completely different amount of lead time.
When the location drives the production
With an unusual location, the real work starts long before the shoot itself. We've shot with Zweierpasch on the summit of the Hornisgrinde, and in an abandoned cinema that had already been cleared for demolition. Both locations needed months of preparation: permits from landowners or authorities, working out access and travel for equipment and crew, power supply where none exists, catering and sometimes overnight stays if the location is remote, and, for outdoor shoots, a plan for weather risk.
On a mountain summit, there is no existing sound or lighting infrastructure. Everything, from power supply to a microphone stand, has to be carried in or made reachable by vehicle. In an abandoned building, questions about structural safety, fire regulations, or general access often come up as well. For productions like these, three to six months of lead time is realistic, depending on how many permits and approvals are needed.
In practice
For the Hornisgrinde production, we had to work out in advance how to get the full equipment up to the summit, which permits were needed for the protected nature area, and how the team would respond to a possible change in weather. For the abandoned cinema, it came down to access, safety in a partly unstable building, and agreements with the owner ahead of the planned demolition. Both take time that has to be spent before a single camera gets set up.
When the infrastructure is already there
It looks completely different when filming an existing show where the infrastructure is already in place: stage, lighting, and professional sound pickup are set up, and the event is happening anyway. In this case, the film production has to fit into an existing flow instead of building an entire environment from scratch. It mostly comes down to camera positions, coordinating access for the camera crew with the venue, and connecting into the existing sound system for a clean audio recording.
Here, a few weeks of lead time is often enough, sometimes even less if crew and equipment are available on short notice. The effort isn't in opening up a location, it's in straightforward production planning: booking the camera crew, settling on an editing concept, and coordinating with the band on the shots they want.
What this means in practice
- Existing show with infrastructure already in place: two to four weeks of lead time is usually enough
- Unusual location that needs its own setup: three to six months is realistic, depending on the permit situation
- The more remote or unusual the location, the earlier permits and logistics should be sorted out
- For outdoor shoots, always plan for weather risk and a backup date
The rule of thumb we give clients: if you have an unusual location in mind, reach out as early as possible, ideally as soon as the rough idea exists. If you want to film an existing show, you can plan much closer to the date.
Mountain summit, abandoned building, or a regular stage: we work out the right lead time with you individually for every concert film production at punchline studio.
Key takeaways
- The lead time needed depends almost entirely on whether an unusual location or an existing show is being filmed
- Unusual locations like a mountain summit or an abandoned building usually need three to six months for permits and logistics
- An existing show with infrastructure already in place often needs only two to four weeks of lead time
- The more unusual the location, the earlier you should reach out
Frequently asked questions
An unusual location in mind, or an existing show?
We'll tell you honestly how much lead time your project actually needs, whether that's a mountain summit, an abandoned building, or a regular stage.
See concert film production