Opening A Studio - Good Idea ?

[jimslip]

The problem with hourly studio hire for a producer, especially at ?40 per hour, is the very real possibility that after setting up and mucking around waiting for the model, "Who missed her train because her dog puked on her grans car keys so she couldn't get a lift in time", you could have wasted ?100 before you have even lifted a camera.

Why not have a "setting up" fee, like ?20 for the first hour and then ?30 after that? Or maybe a very reasonable half day and full day rate, like, ?100/?150.

[videokim]

We have a summer house in the back garden 24" by 28" which we have decided to use as a mini studio, the models we shoot on AW needed a dungeon and glory hole etc as there are none in the part of North Essex where we live.

We had a tog friend in to explain how we will get the best of everything from folding walls to various curtains etc so we should have this running by Sept Oct time.

We will ony use it for when we do content share etc but saying that we don't mind the odd producers using it sometimes if they are shooting locally.

[puretotty]

Do many togs even book for 1 hour ? Do many models actually travel to a shoot for 1 hours work... I dont really see us getting many, if any 1 hour bookings... however for those that do want it (if there are any) then the charge will be ?40...

As someone who as run a studio, and had the odd 1 hour booking (about 2 over a 5 year period) it's more of a invonvinence, but one we did to keep customers happy...

I am sure in every aspect of this industry people have a minimum earning in mind to even get out of bed... models, producers, so why not studios ?

[Millzy82]

Depending on what is required from the shoot, 1 hour may be all that's needed. I have shot for just an hour several times before and the shoots all went really well. None were rushed and I achieved everything I set out to do in each one.

Studios that have models doing a day shoot often allocate 1 hour slots (yes, with a minimum 1 hour booking, not a minimum of 2 or 3).

No disrespect intended but the models and producers who have a minimum getting out of bed rate tend to be those who've established and made a big enough name for themselves to demand the high earnings. There's no reason why that shouldn't apply to studios as well.

I am but one tog but without seeing your studio, hearing other people's testimonials or knowing what services are offered to add value to hiring your studio, I'd be pretty reluctant to pay your rates when I think the other local studio offers the same things I'm likely to benefit from at a more competitive rate...

[puretotty]

Well here's the thing... I been doing this 10 years and dont know a model who would get out of bed, travel and do a 1 hour shoot... just not worth their time... unless there is some magical rate... so if you have found numerous models who are willing to do this then all power to you...

As I have stated numerous occasions already, there is no studio yet... this was a information gathering exercise, and it's achieved that... it's established that the current climate doesn't warrent a new studio... So I doubt I will move forward with it to be fair... but appreciate everyones candid response...

[Dick Head]

Yeah sorry it won't fly in the current trading climate as everone is risk adverse to spending their money.
Also I would never install permanant dungeons etc into a studio as it will spook the regular straight clients who are the bread and butter income of most studios.

Better to shoot in fetish clubs where these areas are already installed, I can think of at least half a dozen clubs like this in South London alone.

As for rates I rent out 25x50 foot studio space in London at ?200 PD for dry hire. And that's after investing ?800,000 on the building.
The studio is also wired for broadcast video at extra cost.
www.rplradio.com

[AdultAuditions]

Hi Mate
We had various studios over the decades, but started to decline about 2005-6 due to most photographers wanting direct contact with models, take them to their place, to save costs, or get them on their own.
Also pro clients for mags, prefering a different modern apartment every month, impossible to keep up with it.

There is also so many independant model sites, like purestorm etc, they would very soon by pass any studio and try find somewhere free first.

Good luck anyway.

AdultAuditions

[Millzy82]

[quote]As I have stated numerous occasions already, there is no studio yet... this was a information gathering exercise[/quote]
I know that. That's exactly why I said I couldn't see myself paying the rate you proposed for a studio that doesn't exist yet.