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19/08/2015

Booking A Studio: What To Look Out For

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This may or may not be a true story. Writes Aiwan at Sinai Space.

So, you've got you client, you have your brief, models are booked and your camera is loaded with a fresh SD card and is ready to take some shots.

It's a straightforward affair, you haven't booked a studio but, 'It's fine', you say, 'There's loads of studios locally, I'll call up a few days before the shoot and get something booked.'

So a few days before the shoot you call up the five studios within budget that you find online. The first three are fully booked on the day you want. The next one doesn't have the specific Elinchrom BXRI500 that you wanted. The final studio sounds a wee bit dodgy but at this stage – beggars can't be choosers. So you book and get ready for the shoot.

The day of the shoot arrives, your gear is packed, you've confirmed with the client, postcode's in the SatNav and you're on your way.

Like a professional, you arrive 30 mins before the client. Suddenly your SatNav starts freaking out. 'You have arrived at your destination, your destination is on the left,' she repeats over and over again. You look around and all you can see are a couple of trees, a scraggly dog and some old disused (sorry, listed) buildings.

You decide to get out and try and find the studio on foot. 30 minutes later, cursing and sweating you finally locate the door to the studio, which is down a narrow alleyway, between two other slightly dodgy looking 'businesses' and is conveniently recessed into a stone wall with no signage. By this time the models are texting and calling your phone – 'where is this place?', 'can you come meet us?', 'which one of these buildings is it?'

The staff let you in. It's a bit dark, a little dingy but it's ok. Is that a musty smell? 'It'll be fine, give it a few minutes,' you think to yourself, trying to see the sunny side. Then, right by the reception counter is a familiar face... the scraggly dog from earlier. You search frantically for your anti- histamines to no avail. 'It'll be fine as long as he doesn't come in to the actual studio.'

With models texting, client calling and your nose starting to run, you proceed to the studio and try to get set up whilst fielding calls and texts. It is no easy task trying to explain the recessed door with no sign, the alleyway and that they will not be mugged if they come down it. You're late and you still haven't set up – do you try and get set up quickly while they try and find the studio? Or do you find them first and then get set up?

To cut a long story short, eventually the client arrives with the models, none of them are impressed with you, the studio or the dog.

To make matters worse, because everything was delayed and the session ran over, the studio charge you an overstay fee which is double the standard hourly rate and it's coming out of your fee.

What have we learnt?

When booking a studio there are some pretty important things to do and look out for: (after number 1 they are in no particular order – because everything hinges on number 1.)

1. View it: Professional studios will always welcome people to come and have a look round the studio. This will help familiarise you with the location, the staff, the equipment and the studio itself.
2. Location: Check car parking availability, loading rules, is there a local shop to get supplies or will you need to bring your own?
3. Time: Give yourself some. Book well in advance.
4. Comfort: Does the studio have kitchen facilities? Toilets? Tea & coffee? Heating (especially in winter), sofas?
5. Equipment: They should have all the equipment you require to get the job done to a professional standard and it should be well maintained.
6. Deals: Loyalty always pays off, so be loyal. When you find a studio you like, stick with them – that's where the deals are made.

What has been your experience at studios? If you have comments, suggestions or questions, leave a comment below.

Peace,

Aiwan @ Sinai Space

www.sinaispace.com
Solidmate Ltd Memory Card Hire London

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