Regardless of whether you’re shooting a commercial as part of a marketing campaign or your indie passion project, a film studio rental can make all the difference in giving your final product a professional finish. With a controlled environment and access to equipment you might not otherwise have, it’s the ideal place for video creators to work.

To make the most of your time there, though, you’ll want to come in with a planned budget. The cost of a studio rental isn’t just in the rate; you also need to consider equipment, crew, insurance, and a host of other costs.

Here’s a list of the expenses you should account for in your budget, along with how to maximize your spending for your film studio rental.

Rental Rates

Obviously, the first thing you should consider with a film studio rental is the actual studio rate itself. This is just the base cost of renting the space and having access to their facilities. There are a few broad factors that might play into a studio’s rates:

• Size of space: Depending on how big or small the studio is, the rates may vary. The type of studio also has an impact. A minimal studio with maybe just overhead lighting and a green screen will be priced differently from a fully equipped production studio with hair and makeup rooms, a kitchen, and equipment rental.
• Booking requirements: Some studios set a minimum number of hours a client can book. Others may require a minimum full-day rental or even multiple days.
• Location: Studios in major film production hubs like Los Angeles or New York often carry heavier price tags than those in other cities.

As a general rule of thumb, it’s good to look at multiple studio options in your area to see which rates make the most sense for your project and schedule.

Equipment: Buying vs. Renting

While narrowing down your studio options, you need to start thinking about equipment. You could go about buying everything you need, but most filmmakers rely on third-party vendors to rent their equipment. On the other hand, some studios offer equipment rentals alongside space rentals, providing a convenient solution for their clients’ equipment needs. Renting your equipment on site can also take a load off your logistical plate, as you can be confident that everything you need is already at the shooting location. If you need to rent equipment, consider prioritizing studios that offer on-site equipment rental.

That being said, there are some things you should plan to bring. Extension cords, gaffer’s tape, spike tape, and batteries all get used often on a film set, and stocking up well in advance will be helpful. They’re a nominal budgetary expense but worth every penny.

Crew

There’s no film production without a good crew, making labor costs a large portion of your budget. You need people to hang lights, mix audio on set, operate the cameras, and tend to the hundreds of other little tasks on a film set. Depending on the specific needs of your project, there might be additional specialized crew members you’ll need to hire.

When it comes to crew costs, things break down across experience and union status. As with any industry, the more experience someone has, the more it’ll cost to hire them. When it comes to union employees, you’ll need to pay out minimum rates and observe mandatory breaks and working hours. Obviously, union employees are well vetted, and having regular breaks is a good thing, but it’s something you’ll need to account for in the budget.

Additional Costs and Amenities

Outside of the actual costs of production, there are also a number of smaller side costs that a film set can incur. Whether or not you hire a costumer or hair and makeup artist, you’ll likely need to spend money on the actual costumes and hair and makeup supplies. If you’re shooting all day, craft services are non-negotiable. You and your crew won’t be able to do your best work if you’re hungry. Then there are the other smaller costs, such as parking or transportation, that can add up without you noticing.

As part of your budget, you must to consider every possible thing your production may need to pay for. Your studio rental may actually cover some of those costs as well. Some studios, like Lightz Out Studios in San Diego, offer a number of amenities as part of their space rental. Just be judicious when anticipating costs, and try to account for everything you can.

Maximizing Production Without Overspending

When you have a good idea of how your budget will break down, maximize your efficiency where you can. A carefully planned shooting schedule will do wonders for your budget. Lock your script as early as you can, and build a shot list to plan around. Group similar shots on the same day so you can shoot them as efficiently as possible. Communicate the plan clearly and often to everyone on your crew, reducing confusion and making sure you’re moving through the material as quickly as possible.

Still, you may run into costs you aren’t expecting. Things can always go wrong on the day of a shoot, and as the person setting the budget, it’s your job to account for them. Come up with a total cost based on your estimates, and then set aside some extra money for any unexpected developments. That way, even going over budget is still part of the budget.

A film studio rental can be just the thing to elevate your production and kick your craft into high gear. With access to a controlled space and professional equipment, combined with a top-notch crew and all the amenities you need, you can feel confident in your creative output. To maximize your experience, all you need to do is come in with a budget that keeps you well on track. With a robust budget that accounts for all your costs, plus those you can’t anticipate, you can keep your focus on the work that matters most.