Rent a junkyard by the hour in Chicago, IL

Filming sets come in an endless array of styles. Whether your movie is set in a prison ward, a hospital, or a bank, Chicago has a set that's styled in that way. But what about a junkyard full of decrepit cars and trucks? In this case, there are few better ways to bring a story to life than filming in an actual junkyard. Here, you have rusty mountains of wreckage, imposing fences, and other elements that transport viewers directly into the story. Chicago junkyard owners are more than willing to rent time and space out by the hour. Not to mention appearing in a feature film elevates their listing and brings curious visitors and business to their doorstep.

Another reason to shoot in a junkyard is that it offers endless creative potential. Is the main character a fan of classic cars? Having the appropriate vehicles in the background is simple to do with a bit of planning. The rust, metal, colors, and lines of cars are attractive, in of themselves. Texture and form can be emphasized dramatically in a black and white film production. While faded colors, old-fashioned designs, and custom license plates offer vintage appeal for a film set in a historic time period. Antique and vintage car designs are one of the best ways for viewers to date a film without explicitly spelling it out. Pair your automotive hints with other pop culture clues like music, calendars, or food to create a deeply immersive scene without distracting from the story's dialogue or action.

As one of the nation's largest cities, Chicago is car-centric and populous. That means the supply of wrecked and retired vehicles is massive. There are several junkyards within the city limits and a short drive away. Junkyards are always a distance aways from downtown, which is a benefit for filmmakers. This way you can bring loads of production equipment, staff, and other essentials without feeling limited by a lack of parking. Junkyards are spacious and the staff will have cranes and other equipment to move old cars around as needed. Being distant from the urban core of Chicago you'll also have more privacy as well. Filming downtown is a great way to tell a Chicago story but it also means dealing with more prying eyes and people weaving in and out of the background. There are few better places for movie making than an industrial junkyard film set!