Production space is very important for content creators of all kinds, but finding affordable options in Nashville can feel like a daunting prospect. Here’s how to find the perfect production space for whatever you need and why it may be closer than you think.
What Makes a Great Production Space?
A production space for rent needs to provide the customer with a number of things, but the most important aspect is, well, space!
Having the room to spread out and get things done right the first time can save you tons of money, time, and unnecessary effort. Every production, whether it’s video, audio, photography, or anything else, has to have the proper creative energy. A production or studio space should be roomy and support whatever equipment you need with ease. The essentials need to be present as well—things like easy access to electric outlets, camera equipment, separate rooms for talent, etc. A production has a lot of moving parts, even if it’s not a massive operation, so a studio should provide ample room for you to stretch out and create freely. When looking for production space rentals, make sure you note the bare minimum of elbow room that you need. This includes overhead clearance for lighting and camera rigs, and also the size of the entrances. If you have large equipment and you can’t get it into a production space, you’ve just wasted a lot of time and money.
Consider these things upfront when talking to rental agents or property owners. In addition to production equipment, you also need to take the comfort of the space into consideration. Does the building have temperature control, like heat or air conditioning, depending on the season? Lights and camera equipment, plus all of the people you may need, can really warm things up, and you can’t entirely sacrifice comfort for good video production.
A production space rental is a big investment for any creator, so make sure you’re doing your homework upfront. Online research into a potential studio can help you narrow your search before starting to send emails or make phone calls. Places that don’t have a solid online presence are likely not going to suit modern productions, so unless you have it on good authority that a studio is great sight unseen, don’t bother touring places that don’t show you what they offer online.
The Cost of Renting Production Space
When it comes to renting production space, how much is too much? Photo studios and smaller spaces may cost less than larger studios that are suited more for video production. If you’re looking for a photo studio near you, odds are you’re not new to photography, but you may be new to renting a studio. If that’s the case, we have some advice on what to expect in terms of cost.
For the Nashville area, production space can be slightly more costly than the national average, considering how many creators (especially musicians) are here. It’s important not to spend more than you have, so come with a budget in mind. While you can’t predict exactly how much money you’ll make from a day in a studio, creators should be armed with a good estimate for a day’s work. Professional studio space is a great option because you can expect more amenities and better communication, as well as quality gear and backdrops. You can find cheaper options for rent, but you will find that you get what you pay for (or don’t pay for). Rates at Studio 615 start at $200 per hour on weekdays in the Natural Light Studio. This space offers exactly what you’d expect: abundant natural light courtesy of a large glass garage door and plain white concrete walls that offer an easy backdrop for quick photo sessions. If you need more room, you can expect a higher hourly rate, but with that comes more tech and amenities.
Necessary Perks for Production Space Rentals
Let’s review some amenities to look out for when renting studio space and what unique perks you can expect at Studio 615. Our Nashville video production spaces are full of light, tech, and excellent resources for any type of creative endeavor. With larger productions, you need room to breathe as well as space for talent to prepare and relax between shoots. Green rooms are awesome perks to provide for your clients during a production.
At Studio 615, our Cyc Studio features a large dressing room with makeup stations and a private bathroom with a shower, so you don’t need to worry about logistics for your folks. The Photographer’s Playground also has green room facilities for your photography subjects—perfect for wardrobe changes and touch-ups. We’ve got that handled.
Not every production space needs something that elaborate, but lighting matters for practically every studio. Ensuring that the proper lighting is available in your production space rental is crucial. If you don’t need natural light or can’t rely on the weather to give you all the light you need, you have to have the infrastructure for some heavy-duty lighting equipment. The Cyc Studio has more LED lighting than you could possibly need, so no matter what you’re doing, you’re set here. If you don’t want to lug around truckloads of equipment, this might be the space for you. Not every rental production space is going to give you that peace of mind, so consider how much that can benefit your specific project. Sound also matters for video and audio productions, so ensure that the space you’re looking at has good acoustics. Whether that means that soundproofing is installed or that the room is simply designed for sound depends on how serious the venue is about these types of projects. If good sound matters to your production (and it almost always does), don’t forget to ask some questions about sound equipment for music or the overall acoustics of a space for filming dialog or any other audio.
Be Picky With Your Production Space!
All in all, a production space needs to do a lot to accommodate any creative pursuit and should be prepared for your needs. Studio 615 is Nashville’s premier studio space for video, photo, and audio productions. Let’s work together for your next project!
