How Long Do You Really Need to Rent a Film Studio?

How long do you need to rent a film studio for your shoot?

The amount of studio time you’ll need depends on the scale of your production, the type of content you’re shooting and the complexity of your technical setup. Whether you’re creating a short commercial, a series of interviews, or a feature-length film, your booking should include much more than just the shooting time.

Studio hire hours should account for every phase from pre-lighting, camera setup, talent prep, shoot duration and teardown. If you’re working in a major UK production city like London, Manchester or Glasgow, availability is also something to plan around. Booking slightly more time than you think you need can help avoid last-minute overtime charges and protect production quality.

A Smart Guide for Every Production Type

This article on how long do you need to rent a film studio covers:

1. What affects how long you need a film studio?

2. What does the “four walls” model mean for your time?

3. When does long-term studio hire make sense?

4. How does UK studio demand affect rental durations?

5. What can delay your shoot and how do you avoid it?

6. How long do different productions need in a studio?

7. What can delay your shoot and how do you avoid it?

8. How long do different productions need in a studio?

9. How can you book the right amount of studio time for your production?

10. Question we asked asked by people renting our film studios

What affects how long you need a film studio?

Different projects need different amounts of time

Every project comes with its own demands. A two-person podcast may need just a few hours of quiet space. A commercial with multiple camera setups, lighting changes and client approvals could easily stretch into two full days. A short film or episodic series often includes scene changes, rehearsals and detailed lighting, which increases the time needed in studio.

Crew size matters too. A small team can move faster, but larger crews often need longer to coordinate between departments. For example, lighting checks, audio setup and camera placement each add time to your schedule when done properly.

Planning for pre-lighting, logistics and teardown

Set preparation time is often underestimated. If you’re bringing in a full lighting rig, building physical sets, or installing green screen backdrops, you’ll need to allow for a pre-light day or at least several hours of uninterrupted rigging before the shoot begins. This allows your gaffer and lighting team to work without the pressure of cameras rolling.

Teardown time also adds to your booking window. Depending on the size of your setup, removing gear, packing props and clearing out the space can take several hours. Many studios include a cleaning buffer between hires, and you may be charged if your team overruns the exit time.

What does the “four walls” model mean for your time?

What you actually get with four walls hire

Most UK studio rentals operate on a four walls model. This means you’re hiring the physical studio space only, so there’s no crew, no gear, no lighting, no cameras and no production support included. You’ll be responsible for sourcing everything externally, including equipment, lighting technicians, set dressers and catering if needed.

This model gives you full control but requires more planning. From load-in to setup, everything falls within your booking window. If deliveries run late or equipment fails, the cost in lost time and added rental hours can rise quickly.

How it affects your studio schedule

Using a four walls space means allocating time for vendor delivery coordination, rigging, camera setup, makeup and wardrobe prep, plus a full load-out period once shooting wraps. Studios typically rent in half-day or full-day blocks, and some enforce strict turnover times. Booking too tightly can result in late fees, incomplete setups or production running behind schedule.

Many productions using this model build in a buffer day on either side of the shoot to reduce pressure and keep the shoot running smoothly.

When does long-term studio hire make sense?

Longer rentals aren’t just for major motion pictures. Agencies producing branded content or companies filming multiple commercials at once benefit from locking in a studio for several consecutive days or weeks. This gives them control over lighting continuity, set design reuse and consistent crew scheduling.

Franchise shoots and series productions often run on multi-day or multi-week blocks to keep production timelines tight and avoid tearing down sets between episodes. This method reduces downtime and maximises efficiency across each shoot day.

Benefits of long-term studio rental:

• Reuse set design and lighting plans

• Maintain continuity across multiple scenes or episodes

• Secure studio availability in high-demand cities

• Avoid repeated setup and teardown costs

• Often receive discounted rates for block bookings

If you’re producing several videos, filming a series or working on an extended shoot schedule, a long-term booking simplifies coordination and reduces risk.

How does UK studio demand affect rental durations?

UK studios, particularly in production hubs like London, Cardiff, Belfast and Manchester, are often fully booked for weeks at a time. The rise in demand from streamers, broadcasters and commercial content producers has increased pressure on both availability and price.

This means booking early is essential. Studio operators often require longer notice and minimum hire windows, especially during peak shooting periods in spring and autumn. Productions are sometimes required to commit to a block even if they only plan to shoot on select days within it.

Where regional film tax relief or incentives exist—such as in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland—competition for studio space becomes even tighter. Booking in advance ensures better rates and prevents disruption to your schedule.

What can delay your shoot and how do you avoid it?

Several common issues can derail your schedule. Gear delivery delays, missed call times, poor crew communication or late vendor arrivals can easily throw off your production day. Working with unfamiliar equipment or hiring crew that have never worked in your chosen studio can also create unplanned issues.

To avoid delays:

• Use a clearly formatted call sheet

• Schedule a pre-light window for lighting checks

• Confirm vendor delivery and pickup times early

• Allow for load-in and load-out windows

• Avoid back-to-back booking unless essential

Teardown also takes longer than expected, especially if large set pieces or hired props are involved. Give your art department and lighting team time to return the space to standard condition.

How long do different productions need in a studio?

Use the chart below to estimate your rental time based on shoot type. These timeframes include setup, shooting and teardown.

For large-scale productions, include pre-light and wrap days in your schedule to avoid rush penalties or studio overlap.

How can you book the right amount of studio time for your production?

Begin with your shoot plan. Map out how many setups you’ll have, how much rigging is involved, whether you’re using green screen or built sets, and how many scenes require lighting changes.

Then add realistic time estimates for:

• Load-in and load-out

• Crew orientation and setup

• Talent preparation and rehearsals

• Reset time between takes

• Meal breaks and downtime

• Teardown and cleaning

Build a day breakdown using a spreadsheet or scheduling tool. Studios appreciate accurate time estimates, and this helps avoid unnecessary overage charges. If your project is fast-paced or creatively complex, book extra hours or even a full day of padding where possible.

Need help planning your shoot? Use our free studio time planner to break down your schedule by hour and avoid timing gaps.

Question we asked asked by people renting our film studios

What does a four walls studio rental include?

Only the physical studio space. No crew, gear, lighting or support services. You must bring in everything externally.

How far in advance should I book a studio?

Four to eight weeks is a good rule of thumb. For larger shoots or popular locations, book two to three months ahead.

Do studios charge overtime?

Yes. Most charge by the hour once you exceed your block. Charges can be higher for evenings or weekends.

Is it better to rent by the hour or by the day?

Full-day bookings are more cost effective. Hourly hire is typically suited to small or single-camera shoots.

Can I reuse my set between days?

Yes, but only if you book continuous days or long-term hire. Otherwise, studios may require full teardown between hires.

Do I need insurance to rent a studio?

Yes. Most studios require public liability insurance and may ask to see your certificate before confirming the booking.

Final thought: The most efficient productions are the ones that book just enough time to allow for great work, without rushing, without unnecessary costs and without last-minute surprises. Plan well, book smart and treat time like the valuable asset it is.