Chicago Beverage Video Production: Local Expertise, Nationwide Reach
Why Chicago is an ideal base for beverage video production. Local advantages, nationwide service, and what makes OCT the choice for beverage brands.
- Why Chicago for Beverage Production
- The Chicago Advantage
- Cost Efficiency
- Central Location
- Beverage Industry Concentration
- Local Expertise, National Service
- Chicago-Area Brands
- Nationwide Brands
- Chicago Production Locations
- Urban Industrial
- Modern Studios
- Lifestyle Locations
- Beverage-Specific Venues
- Working with OCT in Chicago
- Local Clients
- Remote Clients
- Chicago Beverage Brands We've Worked With
- Beyond Chicago
- Get Started
- Chicago offers lower production costs than LA or NYC
- Central location enables efficient nationwide travel
- Deep beverage industry connections in the Midwest
- We serve brands across all 50 states from our Chicago base
Why Chicago for Beverage Production
When brands think video production, they often default to LA or NYC. But Chicago has quietly become one of the best cities for beverage content—combining professional talent, competitive pricing, and genuine beverage industry expertise.
Here's why we chose to build OCT in Chicago, and why it benefits the brands we serve.
The Chicago Advantage
Cost Efficiency
Let's be direct: Chicago production costs less than coastal alternatives.
| Expense | Chicago | NYC | LA | |---------|---------|-----|-----| | Studio Day Rate | $1,200-2,500 | $2,500-5,000 | $2,000-4,000 | | Crew Rates | 15-20% lower | Baseline | 10-15% higher | | Equipment Rental | Comparable | +20-30% | +15-25% |
These savings translate directly to more content for your budget—or the same content for less.
Central Location
Chicago's geographic position makes it the most efficient hub for nationwide production:
- 2-hour flight to either coast
- Drive-able to major Midwest markets
- O'Hare and Midway provide flexible travel options
- Central time zone simplifies scheduling with both coasts
For brands outside Chicago, we can be on-site within a day. For studio shoots, we're equidistant from most shipping origins.
Beverage Industry Concentration
The Midwest has deep beverage roots. Chicago is home to:
- Major craft beer scene
- Emerging functional beverage brands
- RTD cocktail producers
- National beverage distributors
- Ingredient and packaging suppliers
This concentration means we understand the industry—not just video production.
Local Expertise, National Service
Chicago-Area Brands
For local brands, we offer:
- Same-day meetings and consultations
- Easy product drop-off for studio shoots
- On-location production anywhere in Chicagoland
- Access to Chicago's diverse shooting locations
Nationwide Brands
For brands outside Chicago, we provide:
- Travel production packages
- Product shipping coordination
- Remote pre-production planning
- Virtual review and approval workflows
We've produced content for brands in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and everywhere in between—all from our Chicago home base.
Chicago Production Locations
The city offers diverse shooting environments:
Urban Industrial
Chicago's warehouse districts provide:
- Exposed brick studios
- Industrial backdrops
- Urban rooftop access
- Raw, authentic aesthetics
Modern Studios
Purpose-built production spaces with:
- Professional lighting grids
- Seamless backgrounds
- Climate control
- Full equipment inventory
Lifestyle Locations
For on-location shoots:
- Lake Michigan waterfronts
- Downtown architecture
- Neighborhood cafes and bars
- Suburban residential settings
Beverage-Specific Venues
Access to:
- Craft breweries
- Distilleries
- Coffee roasters
- Commercial kitchens
Working with OCT in Chicago
Local Clients
The Process:
Typical Timeline: 2-3 weeks
Remote Clients
The Process:
Typical Timeline: 3-4 weeks
Chicago Beverage Brands We've Worked With
Our portfolio includes:
- Energy drink startups
- Functional beverage brands
- RTD cocktail companies
- Craft beer producers
- Non-alcoholic alternatives
We understand the Midwest beverage market and how to create content that resonates nationally.
Beyond Chicago
While Chicago is home, we regularly travel for:
- Multi-location campaigns
- Brand facility shoots
- Event coverage
- On-site product launches
Travel production is built into our retainer packages for brands who need content from multiple locations.
Get Started
Whether you're a Chicago local or shipping product from across the country, we're set up to produce content efficiently.
Chicago brands: Let's meet for coffee and discuss your project.
Remote brands: Schedule a video call to explore how we can work together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you only work with Chicago-based brands?
No—we serve beverage brands nationwide. While we're based in Chicago, we work with brands across all 50 states. For non-local brands, we either travel to your location or coordinate product shipping for studio shoots.
What are the advantages of working with a Chicago production company?
Chicago offers lower production costs than coastal cities, central location for efficient travel, and a strong concentration of beverage brands and suppliers. You get quality without coastal pricing.