Renting a Photography or Video Studio ( 3 things you must know )
I’ve had the opportunity to rent time at a variety of photo and video studios in Los Angeles, mainly for dance video shoots. I have taken notes each time I rent, and I want to share some insights/tips for those thinking about renting. Here are my three tips for renting a photo/video studio:
1. Do your research on the space (and management)
Where did you find the space? What do the reviews state and are they from legitimate people? Don’t assume they are, because someone just starting out may ask friends or hire fake reviewers. It is VERY important to know the person is legit and the space is what it’s cracked out to be, especially if you’re not going to visit prior. What if - for example - there are chips of paint in the wall, which creates an ugly-looking spot on all your wide angle shots? What if the bathroom isn’t well maintained for you and your client? No toilet paper?
This stuff matters for the overall experience, so take caution. Some owners try to negotiate payment outside of the rental website which takes a portion of their profit. I totally understand where they’re coming from, but make sure you trust the person before going through direct payment, which does not include the policies/protections that a contract built into rental sites guarantees.
2. Rental Time: Be Realistic.
Make sure you rent the studio for enough time. Unlike outdoor or free space, you will strictly have to abide by the time policy, which for the time you rent includes setuip and cleanup. The mistake I’ve made in the past was renting out an hour keeping in mind the client’s budget constraints, but not realizing it could sacrifice the quality of the video and videoshoot. I felt rushed both times. So, keep in mind the scope of your project and be honest with the client - tell them you may be rushed and it will depend on both ends being Very prepared upon arrival and with little to no extra setup light-wise. On that note, for bigger shoots with 3+ people or for concepts that don’t have a lean script and are more conceptual in nature, I definitely recommend renting more than one hour.
3. Try before you buy (or rent)
Aways visit a space before renting, ideally at the time you plan to rent. That way you can let your client better know what to expect. Here are some reasons to visit the photo studio beforehand:
Parking - is it easy or difficult? Will the client have to pay a parking meter? Is it a sketchy area? If you live in Los Angeles, you will probably rent a studio Downtown at some point. The Downtown area can be very sketchy at night, and this is something to consider if you have a lone female client meeting you for a shoot. This consideration will earn your client’s trust as well, because you are looking out for their safety.
Where is the bathroom? Where is the emergency exit? Where does the manager sit and will he/she available during the shoot?
Getting into the studio - many have lockboxes, some trickier than others. Make sure you have this information saved to your phone for shoot day, and if the lockboxes or entry is tricky, wait for your client to arrive to enter together.
Do they have strong wifi? Do they have bluetooth speakers and are they easy to connect to?
Getting ideas for how to film - As applicable: How is the lighting entering during your shoot (if using natural light)? Which parts of the room do you want to include in your shoot? Are there any props you could bring to enhance the mood of the shoot or add flare?
Do things work as expected?: Are there enough outlets (functioning) for your needs? If you’re renting their equipment, ensure that it works as expected. Try with your camera. Most studios will be fine with you bringing your camera to do a test.
The more work you can do beforehand the easier your shoot will be. If you eliminate the barriers that unfamiliarity creates, you can enter your photo or video shoot with peace of mind and clarity.
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