Common Mistakes That Waste Studio Time
- James Duffy
- May 31
- 4 min read
What causes delays during a film or photography studio hire?
Delays during a studio booking are usually the result of poor preparation, misjudging the space or equipment, or skipping essential steps like technical checks and repainting. These oversights can quickly lead to lost production hours, higher costs, and unnecessary overtime. By identifying the most common time-wasting mistakes, production teams can plan better and get more out of their shoot day at professional facilities like Mammoth Studio in London.
What’s the biggest time-waster during your studio shoots?
Arriving without a proper plan
Slow setup or rigging delays
Miscommunication between departments
Overrunning the schedule
What We Cover In This Article About What Are The Common Mistakes That Waste Time In The Movie Studio
Arriving without a full production plan
Production delays often start before the first camera rolls. When teams arrive without a clear schedule, no assigned responsibilities, and no rigging or lighting plan, valuable time is lost.
Mammoth Studio features an 8000 square foot U shaped infinity cove and a 40 foot by 40 foot motorised truss grid with a one tonne safe working load. It is designed for fast rigging and efficient movement. The in-house lighting supplier, Cinelight London, works directly with production teams, but the kit list needs to be submitted early. If a production team incorrectly assumes what is available on site or doesn't confirm kit delivery or layout it can stall shoots unnecessarily.
Tip: Share your call sheet, lighting diagram, and technical requirements at least 48 hours before your booking. Ensure your team understands the location of 63 amp and 125 amp three phase power outlets located stage left and right.
How can production teams make the most of a large studio space?
Misjudging the space is a frequent cause of downtime. For example, Mammoth Studio offers a 6000 square foot external backlot with vehicle access for trucks up to 18 tonnes, as well as two drive in loading bays. When you arrive at your studio whether that is Pinewood, Camberwell or with us it is good practice to have a clear plan for load in or set preparation.
Our 1000 square foot photography area is perfect for behind the scenes content, cast wardrobe, or secondary units. It helps to spread out tasks but is often overlooked during planning.
Client areas such as the green room, makeup and wardrobe room, and private viewing decks should be used to manage crew flow and prevent congestion on the studio floor.
Tip: Visit the studio you want to hire for your shoot in advance. Use the backlot for staging and the production office to coordinate your crew and suppliers.
Forgetting to book repainting and rigging services
Studios like Mammoth do not repaint the cove by default. A full repaint is often an additional cost and must be confirmed before the day of hire. Production delays could occur at your shoot location in London when teams arrive expecting a pristine white floor or cove without having requested it.
Technical errors also happen when teams assume power distribution or rigging can be sorted in a few minutes. The studio’s rigging services and internal truss system are available, but should be booked in line with your lighting and camera rig requirements.
Tip: Always confirm if a repaint or floor clean is needed during booking. Match your technical setup to the available three phase power sockets and request support from the rigging team early.
Not testing internet and live streaming systems
With fibre optic internet and a dedicated 4 gigabit symmetrical hardwired network, Mammoth Studio supports high bandwidth tasks like client livestreams, virtual directing, and real time remote editing.
Despite this, some crews rely on WiFi or skip setup tests until it is too late. Internal SDI video routing is available with 12G outputs in all production areas, but only works efficiently if tested beforehand.
Tip: Arrange a half day prep or tech check in advance. Use the studio’s hardwired Ethernet network for stable streaming, and bring your own SDI converters if needed.
Trying to shoot too much in one day
Ambitious shot lists are a major cause of overtime. Studio rates typically cover a ten hour day, with overtime at one hundred and ninety five pounds per hour, rising after midnight.
When schedules are unrealistic, and no time is set aside for resets, wardrobe changes, or lighting adjustments, the day quickly slips behind. Crew morale drops, client satisfaction dips, and shots become rushed.
Tip: Allow contingency time in your plan. Use the separate makeup room and wardrobe areas to keep cast ready and reduce time lost on set.
Overlooking crew facilities and logistics
Production efficiency depends on how well the crew is looked after. Mammoth provides three toilets, heated client lounges, complimentary coffee and tea, and a dedicated kitchen area. These facilities reduce stress, but are sometimes underused.
Catering should be planned in line with the studio’s restrictions. If left too late, crew may leave site for food, or breaks become longer than expected. Cleaning and waste removal must also be arranged. Forgetting to book skip hire or end of day cleaning services often results in penalties and delays to strike or wrap.
Tip: Set proper break times, confirm any catering limits, and ensure all waste and repaint needs are covered in your booking agreement.
Final thoughts
Most lost time in studio hire comes down to the basics. Not confirming repainting, skipping technical checks, poor communication, or trying to squeeze too much into a single day leads to stress and spiralling costs. Mammoth Studio offers the infrastructure and space for efficient, high quality production, but it is up to the crew to plan and manage the day properly.
For more support with production services, technical planning or to explore the studio’s features, you can visit the Mammoth Studio homepage or request a walkthrough in advance of your shoot.
Comentários