How Do You Choose the Right Film Studio for Your Project?

What should you actually look for when choosing a film studio?

Choosing the right film studio will affect every part of your shoot. The space, the light and the people all matters. There are film projects that have fallen behind schedule simply because the wrong space was booked. Not because someone didn’t care, but because they didn’t ask the right questions early on. It happens. But it doesn’t have to. So let’s cut through the noise and get to what actually helps you make a solid choice.

Know what you’re shooting. Get specific from the start.

Think it through. Are you filming a commercial, music video, feature, or branded content? Do you need full blackout? An infinity cove? Drive in access? On site sound mixing? You’d be surprised how often these things get overlooked until day one of the shoot.

Believe it or not there are crews out there who’ve booked a beautiful white cove, only to realise there’s no rigging grid and no quiet space to record audio. These are the kinds of headaches that cost time and money. Make a list. Know what you need. Then match it to what’s on offer.

Match the space to the style of production

Studios are not all created equal. Some are built for small shoots with lean crews. Others are made for longer projects, full service commercials, or multi stage feature films. The question is whether the space fits your format, not just your budget.

You don’t want to pay for facilities you’ll never use. But if your client or talent expects a certain standard from the front of house to clean changing rooms and secure parking then you can’t ignore that either. Think beyond the set.

Choose a location that works for your team

London offers strong access to crew, talent, hire houses, and transport. But central locations can hammer your parking budget. Studios further out often offer better value, more space, and a quieter working environment. That said, you’ve got to factor in travel time. One of a kind studios like Mammoth Film Studios in London Zone 2 offer location and parking. Due to this they experience high demand so you will need to use their pencil form and book early to avoid disappointment.

A film studio in a central location can make a full production feel calm and well-run. I’ve worked on shoots where the whole crew was on site by 7am with coffee in hand. I’ve also been on sets where an hour was lost waiting for a grip van stuck in the wrong postcode. It all adds up.

Don’t skip the equipment checklist

Ask what is included in the hire. Not just space, but lighting, grip, rigging points, camera support. Do they have basic playback gear? Spare power cables? Scissor lifts? If something fails, is there a backup on hand?

Some studios are better set up than others. It has been known that director's can lose hours because of something small like forgetting an SDI cable. That’s avoidable if you ask what’s on site.

Check for proper tech support

Having the right people available on site makes everything smoother. Experienced studio technicians, a responsive studio manager, even a helpful runner who knows where everything is kept. These are small things that make a big difference when you’re solving problems on the fly.

Studios that provide trained crew tend to run tighter ships. They spot things before they become issues. That’s the kind of backup that lets the rest of your team focus on the job.

Ask about past productions

Has the studio worked on jobs like yours before? Ask to see recent examples. Commercials, fashion shoots, music videos, or multi camera setups as it all helps. Not because you’re chasing prestige, but because it’s a clue they’ve handled similar needs and pressure before.

When a studio can show you real work, it tells you they’re trusted. That matters more than a fancy logo on the wall.

Get clear on pricing and value

Don’t just look at the day rate. Ask what’s actually included. Some studios give you power, lighting, tech support and kit access. Others charge for everything à la carte. Make sure you’re comparing like for like.

The studio with the lowest quote may not be the cheapest in practice. Especially once you factor in gear, support, and delays. Look for good value, not just a low number.

Read every line of the contract

No one enjoys contracts. But this bit matters. Know the cancellation terms. Clarify who covers what on insurance. Understand usage rights. Does the studio have permission to use stills or BTS from your shoot for their own marketing?

If you have been sent a contract that makes no mention of overtime rates, it can cause an issue on the final invoice. Save yourself that trouble. Ask, read, confirm.

Visit if you can. If not, get visuals.

Walkthroughs are always useful. You notice things such as the distance from the loading bay to the stage, the smell of the green room, whether the space feels calm or chaotic.

If a visit isn’t possible, ask for recent photos, a layout diagram, or even a video walkthrough. And if they can’t provide that? Probably not a place you want to shoot.

Here’s the bottom line. A great studio gives you more than just four walls and a lighting rig. It gives your team space to do their best work without distraction. It helps your project look good, run well, and wrap on time. That’s worth choosing properly.