Best Video Studio Tips
Running a professional film studio is exacting, but rewarding. Potential clients each have specific needs which means the film space must be by definition fit for their purpose.
Tofufuture colloborating with Mendip Media Studio and Productions
There are two approaches to studio provision; either the space is specialist and fitted with studio equipment to accommodate a narrow range of film or photographic requirements (audio, technological, large fixtures like infinity curves) or the space is ultra flexible catering for a wider variety of video and photography production. Unless the location is very large with multiple studios, the choice is binary - specialist or flexible. Both have different price points.
Specialist high-end and flexible basic studios work comfortably together to service the film, video and photographic eco-system. Along with home studios and rented real locations – houses, estates, professional kitchens, public space, these are the places where crew, actors, models, makeup artists, presenters and participants congregate to create safely in controlled environments.
And whatever studio type a client requires, the oversight of an experienced Studio Manager is invaluable. The Studio Manager helps with rigging, lighting, equipment hire, set build and general organisation, which increases efficiency on the film day, reduces costs and improves the creative results.
The wrap-around additions in the studio hub are sometimes just as important as the film space in which the creative takes place. This is especially true if the filming is an ongoing partnership with regular bookings across the year. Free parking, vehicle access to the studio, meeting rooms, fibre wifi, props and studio equipment hire, product storage, sets, green rooms, breakout spaces and eating area are all part of the hospitality offer that supports studio productions.
In the case of Mendip Media Studio, our space is medium-sized and flexible. To differentiate our offer, we’ve invested in a well-equipped professional food prep kitchen adjacent to the film studio. This is the ideal location for food filming and photography. With two gas ovens and hobs, multiple fridge freezer storage, kitchenware props cupboard and a pre-built customisable set with kitchen island, this is a wrap-around that producers of food content come back for. And food stylists love working in a big kitchen right next to set.
After 10-years of hiring out Mendip Media Studio in Bristol, always to professional photography or film productions, we’ve learnt a thing or two about studio hospitality.
We’ve filmed many hundreds of our own client videos in the studio, including a long stint of quarterly product demo videos, a week at a time, for Lakeland. And we’ve welcomed a diverse range of clients from Aerial pod ads featuring Katherine Ryan to the 2021 British Lions Rugby team for a greenscreen photography shoot. There have been hires by BBC Natural History Unit, Plimsoll’s A Real Bug’s Life and food shoots by Tesco, ASDA, Kenwood and Dyson.
An example of the variety of sets Mendip Media Studio creates
The learning curve of how to run a video and photography studio has been steep. It’s that accruing experience which keeps us on track. No client is the same. All need a variety of different services within the shoot period. It’s a balancing act between space specialisation and flexibility of space to maintain a sustainable model.
At Mendip Media Studio we’ve chosen to keep our space flexible, but with professional wrap-around services and a stellar prep kitchen to encourage food related shoots. It means we can give great value for a range of clients from entry level videographers to TV ad agencies.
The good news is we’re as committed to our studio hire offer as our clients are to their productions.
Long may it continue.
For more information about studio hire for food related filming and photography:
please contact studio@mendipmedia.co.uk or 0117 974 4320