Finding a video studio to rent can immediately raise the quality of your production. With access to professional equipment and a purpose built space, it’s one of the easiest ways to give your final product a professional finish. However, that’s only true if you know how to use your time wisely. Since many studios bill by the hour, you need to make sure you’re maximizing every minute you pay for. Whether you’re shooting a commercial product demo or a short film passion project, a well-thought-out plan is the key to staying on budget and on schedule.
Plan Your Shots in Advance
One of the best ways to make the most of your time at a studio is to come up with a detailed plan during pre-production. Even before you decide which video studio to rent, sitting down and going through what work needs to be done can save you valuable time and money.
Once you have a finalized script, you can go through it and come out with a detailed shot list. This will be your guide as you go through the day, breaking down the abstract idea of what you need to shoot into tangible angles and takes. From there, you can put together a shooting schedule. Generally speaking, it’s wise to prioritize any group shots early on so you can avoid making talent wait around to shoot. Likewise, if you have shots that have similar setups (lighting, staging, etc.), it’s wise to put those in succession to avoid resetting the space more than necessary. With a clear plan in place, you can use your time in the studio quickly and efficiently.
Make Sure Everyone Has a Clear Role
Let’s be honest: Even the most carefully planned film shoot can be a little chaotic. The trick is to minimize the amount of chaos you have to control. Before arriving at the studio, make sure everyone on your team knows what their role is. For some people, this will be pretty simple. Your director, camera operators, sound techs, and gaffers all have their own areas of expertise and are only waiting for your input on how to execute your vision.
If you’re working with a smaller team and everyone’s sharing the weight, make an effort to delegate specific tasks so nothing gets forgotten. If you can, arrive a bit early to make sure everything is ready to go before your crew and talent arrive. An extra 15 minutes can make all the difference in getting your bearings.
Confirming Equipment Rentals and Layouts
In filmmaking, making assumptions can have catastrophic consequences. Once you decide which video studio to rent, have a conversation with the team there about the technical needs you might have. What all is included with the rental? How are you allowed to modify the studio space? Do they have all the equipment you need, or will you need to reach out to a third party? Many of these questions can be answered by looking at a studio’s website. Lightz Out Studios in San Diego, for example, provides a clear floor plan as well as an overview of its amenities.
Even still, it’s never a bad idea to schedule a call or even a visit in advance to make sure you’re on the same page. You don’t want to bank on using specific pieces of equipment or building a set in the studio, only to find out it’s impossible the day you get there. Hammer out all the technical details in advance, and you’ll be able to get to work all the faster and with fewer hiccups.
Communicate Your Vision with the Studio Team
In addition to discussing your technical needs with the studio, make sure you’re filling them in on what you’re trying to achieve. A studio’s staff is often comprised of people who have their own technical film knowledge bases, making them an excellent resource when planning out your shoot. They know the space and equipment better than anyone else, and you should utilize that experience to help you make the most of the space.
The best thing you can do is be as specific as possible about what your goals are. When they understand your intent, they can help you pre-plan lighting setups, prep backgrounds or backdrops, and recommend ways to set up and transition shots faster. With their expertise, you can spend as much time shooting as possible.
Keep Your Schedule Realistic and Streamlined
Optimism is necessary in any filmmaking project. However, when it comes to building out your schedule, it’s realism that needs to take precedence. When planning out the day, resist the urge to plan for the best-case scenario. Give yourself a realistic amount of time for setup, rehearsals, equipment adjustments, and regular breaks. On top of that, give yourself a bit of buffer time just in case things go sideways.
Once you have an idea of what a reasonable schedule looks like, seek out every opportunity you can to streamline your production process. Reduce the number of equipment changes or tweaks you need to make between shots. Test all your equipment in advance to avoid any surprises slowing things down. Plan to review a few takes, but not every single one. If all goes well, you’ll be done with time to spare.
Booking a video studio to rent isn’t just about gaining access to a space; it’s about improving the overall quality of your final product. Whether you’re the writer, director, producer, or some combination of all three, it’s your responsibility to make sure any time you’re paying for gets used as efficiently as it can be.
The best way to do that is to come in prepared. Know your shot list like the back of your hand. Create and distribute a schedule that’s ambitious but feasible. Make sure everyone knows what they’re doing well in advance. With an organized approach, you can keep your time at the studio productive and stress-free.
