Your Guide to Renting Film Studios in Atlanta, GA
With Atlanta’s variety of film studios comes a plethora of creative opportunities! These options will also make your work seem more professional: the lighting, the space, as well as various backgrounds will improve the quality of your work, without a doubt! In case you’re still hesitating whether to choose a film studio over a location, here are some aspects that will (hopefully) help you make up your mind.
Why should I choose a film studio over a location?
Organizing a film shoot is a complicated task, which is why many individuals prefer a film studio’s convenience to a location filming. It reduces the time of the shoot since you don’t have to travel to various locations, wait for all kinds of permits, etc.
The affordable cost of shooting in a film studio is one of the biggest advantages of shooting indoors. Since you’ll be shooting in one place, you won’t have to worry about additional expenses like travel costs, accommodation or catering. And let’s not forget about the fact that you’ll be required to pay for the use of a location, particularly if it’s private land. There are also other fees, such as road closures or trade disruptions, that come with a location shoot. If you’re working on an independent film and have a limited budget, we strongly suggest you go for a film studio. The movie might look less realistic at times but at least you won’t break the bank and will be able to make some profit.
What else does a film studio offer? Complete control over all elements of the production from start to finish. When indoors, you won’t have to worry about wind or terrible rain, and on a hot day, you’ll be able to turn the air conditioning on, chill the room a bit and keep filming. What’s more, with the help of a green screen your cast will be transported anywhere in the world within seconds. The key to making the crew feel good and helping them play their part as planned is creating the right ambiance. What could also help them get into character is the plethora of props and costumes available at the film studio.
And finally: the gear! If you’re taking your first steps in the filmmaking world, you might want to rent out a film studio that has some equipment available on-site. It will create more opportunities and reduce the costs of gear hire. Shooting in one place also helps with keeping track of all of the equipment you have on you. Most studios have lockers or storage areas where you can safely store your belongings - this way, you’ll have one thing less to worry about.
What kinds of projects can I shoot in film studios?
- Commercials. A commercial shouldn’t just be a colorful video that doesn’t convey any message. Without a doubt should it be entertaining and catchy, but also affect the person watching it. So as the first step of your creative process you should carefully think about the answers to these questions: Who is my target audience? What ideas should my commercial include? What kind of impact on the viewers do I want my commercial to have? Once you’re certain about the answers to these questions, you can start the creative process: write the script and start shooting! The visuals are important but don’t forget about high-quality sound and lighting as well.
- Interviews. Getting good information from someone who is on camera is quite a trick. But so is making sure that the on-camera people are seen, the lighting is good and the audio is clear. There are many styles you can go for when interviewing individuals. When you go for the “talking head”, the subject is talking to the off-camera interviewer. This is the easiest interview type to capture since it’s a simple sit-down interview. “Walk and talk”, on the other hand, might be difficult to pull off - you establish the host in the shot and they talk to the interviewee whilst walking. It’s quite a challenge for the camera crew as it takes a lot of coordination to make sure everyone moves at the same pace without distracting those in front of the camera.
- Audition tapes. Self-tapes, i.e. short videos an actor films on their own and then submits either to the casting director or creative team behind the movie, are shot every single day. The market is competitive, so every single one of them tries to nail them. Obviously, the craft is uber important, but keep in mind that the shot should be of high quality and without any interruptions to the audio. Make sure you don’t shoot the face only - casting directors like to see not only the head and shoulders but how the whole body acts when you’re in character. Other things worth keeping in mind are the steady image of your self-tape, a neutral background and good lighting.
- Music videos. Before you get to shooting your music video, there is a lot of planning and thinking to do. It all starts with creating storyboards, consultations with the artist about their vision and wondering how to bring all of the unique ideas to life. A solid concept for the video, a good team and a clear budget will make the whole experience a fantastic adventure! Just think about a cozy film studio where an artist performs a strip-down set of their most romantic songs! Or a pop video with many dancers and phenomenal dance routines! Once the video has been shot, it’s time for post-production: color correction, audio, editing, graphics, animation, special effects, and many more.
What to keep in mind while choosing a film studio?
- Budget. Settle not only on a budget for renting a film studio but also any additional costs, such as hiring equipment, props, costumes, etc. Before making the booking, check thoroughly what the studio has on offer - it will save you from cost overruns. To make your search much easier, we recommend you try out our filters. Type in your price range, hit “search” and scroll through film studios that meet your budget.
- Purpose. Do you need a film studio for the production process, post-production, or both? We suggest you have a clear idea of what you’ll be working on before you start the search. Knowing that will make it easier to find the perfect studio with the best equipment and surroundings for your needs.
- On-site equipment. When planning your shoot, always check what kind of equipment you’ll be able to find at the film studio. Most of them offer basic gear, such as artificial lighting, tripods, microphones, headphones, etc. It may also happen that the place you’re about to rent offers a camera and lens rental, or even computers for post-production. To be extra sure what will be available on-site, ask the venue manager for a full list of gear. It will help you plan what is already there and what you’ll have to bring to the shoot.
- Green screen. A green screen creates flexibility for many filming possibilities! Do you have a great idea for an outside scene but there are safety issues or you don’t have the right equipment to bring it to life? That’s when a green screen comes helpful! Any of your creative visions are possible with a green screen - what’s more, it allows for minimum risk and maximum control, everything in high quality.
- Lighting. Let’s make it clear: no shoot can happen without the proper lighting. Projects rely on a range of fixtures, techniques and effects. Choosing the correct lighting for a movie is no mean feat but we trust you know what you’re doing! In case this is one of the first times you’re organizing a film shoot, look for a place that offers professional assistance - someone who will be able to guide you through the gear and studio space. Apart from standard lighting, some film studios have portable lamps as well - these will ensure the only shades that appear are the deliberate ones.
- Facilities. Determine whether the desired studio space is comfortable, and includes hair and makeup stations, changing rooms, etc. Also, you will probably take breaks, especially during longer shoots, so we recommend you consider renting a location that has a dedicated area where you and your crew will have a chance to sit down, relax and have a snack. Some studios have rehearsal spaces as well, so in case you’ll need to practice some dance moves before the shooting begins, look for places that offer such extra rooms.
- Capacity. How many people are in your crew? When looking for a film studio on Tagvenue, you can easily tailor the search results to your needs. Simply, type in the number of people you’ll be working with and scroll through venues that fit your requirements perfectly.
- Location. Whether your project will run smoothly or not largely depends on the accessibility of the hired venue. You wouldn’t want anyone to commute for a few hours, right? It could result in people getting late, the photoshoot lasting longer than planned and bad impressions in general. Think of everyone that will be working with you, from the client to the crew. Such an attitude will make it easier for you to acquire long-term clients and excellent referrals. What’s as equally important as the studio’s location is its accessibility for individuals with disabilities. We suggest you keep difficult-to-reach spots off the table - especially if you’re working with new creators.
- Date. First, make sure the date of your shoot is convenient for everyone! Have a few dates in mind, suggest them to the whole crew and decide collectively which day works the best. If you want to have the first-rate studios still available, set the dates and start your search straight away! You may never know how much time looking for a venue that suits all of your needs may last, so keep that in mind. Also, think whether you’ll need some extra time (a day or longer) for the creative process - most film studios state that the rental starts and finishes at the agreed time.
- Assistance. Will you need someone who knows the studio inside out and will be on-site the whole time to answer all of your questions? Before making the booking, make sure you ask the venue manager whether there will be someone available during your session to guide you through the equipment use and the studio area.
- Reviews. It doesn’t matter if you’re renting a film studio for the first time or you’ve done it a hundred times, always have a look at the place’s reviews! You can save yourself unnecessary stress when you know that the venue you’re about to rent has positive reviews.
We hope that after reading our short guide on film studios in Atlanta all of your doubts and worries are long gone, and you’re ready to rent out a space where you’ll create the next cinematographic gem. In case there’s still something unclear, have a look at our FAQ section below - who knows, maybe you’ll find your answer there!
FAQs about Film Studios in Atlanta, GA
How far in advance should I book a film studio in Atlanta?
Secure the film studio of your choice as soon as you’ve agreed on your budget and date. We recommend you do so at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance. It will allow you to choose from a wide selection of places available for rent, and if you start searching soon enough, you might even score one of the most popular places!
How much does it cost to rent a film studio in Atlanta?
Rental rates of film studios in Atlanta can start as low as $25 and get up to 120 per hour for a small studio with basic equipment. Expect to pay around $1500 per day for a place that offers its facilities for a full day. (Based on data from Tagvenue.)
Are all film studios in Atlanta fully equipped or should I provide my own gear?
It all depends on the film studio you want to rent out. Some places offer basic equipment, such as universal triggers, LED lights, stands and reflectors. Others might additionally have a green screen and various backdrops available on-site. Film studios listed on Tagvenue provide information about the equipment you will find there. In case you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact the studio manager directly.
Which areas around Atlanta have the best film studios available for rent?
You can find great film studios all over Atlanta. In Pittsburgh, for example, you will find professional studios for all production sizes. The same goes for Little Five Points and its plethora of places ideal for both filming and post-production work. And let’s not forget about Downtown Atlanta! That’s where you’ll be able to find film and photography studios boasting all kinds of decor and gear. Buckhead Village is home to a variety of film studios, from those adapted for basic filming to visual effects studios where your creativity will know no limits.