In-Studio vs. On-Location

When it comes to production, I’ll be honest, I love field shoots. As a producer and director, there’s nothing like being on-location and working through the fun challenges that come with each unique place. Few things are better than a project that calls for traveling to a new city, shooting in a historic building, or filming on a beautiful landscape which can’t easily be duplicated in post-production.

However, there are times when producing in a studio just makes more sense.

For one, those little on-location “challenges” can often become huge headaches. These can include things such as traffic noise or the nuisance of being directly under the flight pattern of a major airport – not all scenes can be dubbed perfectly back in the recording booth. Bad and unexpected weather can slow down or even shut down an outdoor production. The sun, or lack thereof, can mess up shot continuity or demand additional artificial lighting. Of course, there are other technical issues such as making sure the location has enough power, the need for working bathrooms, and the transportation of equipment and crew. These are just some of the dozens (or hundreds) of details which can quickly turn a fun location shoot into a nightmare.

While, there will always be shots which must be filmed on-location, studios can offer cost-cutting benefits as well as increased production efficiencies.

More importantly, perhaps one of the major advantages of shooting in a studio is simply the ability to gain a controlled environment. With a studio, you don’t have to worry about weather contingencies or having enough power for lighting and other equipment. Most studios have excellent sound-proofing and can serve as a one-stop shop for the crew. This can include clean bathrooms, a kitchen, breakroom areas, a place for make-up, dressing rooms, and quiet conference rooms for clients and producers. When needed, most studios also provide equipment for rent. In addition, if you have your own equipment, you can leave it overnight with little or no worry about security. Most small or mid-size studios will be big enough to build various set pieces and have built-in lighting grids – something any gaffer (lighting expert) will tell you they love. In other words, studios are often a great alternative and can provide a comfortable and versatile environment for various productions.

If you are looking for studio space or simply want discuss your upcoming production, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We have several studio packages available to meet all of your television, film, and social media needs.