Frequently Asked Questions

What Grip & Lighting Gear Is Included?

We include a basic assortment of grip gear as a courtesy to crews filming with us. Please note that while we do our best to maintain this list of items, things do occasionally get damaged or go missing due to the high volume of crews using them, and we can not guarantee a particular item is available during your shoot - these are provided as-is, so if you need specific equipment or need to guarantee an item is available and in perfect working condition, we strongly encourage you to rent it from a rental house. Refunds are not given due to items not being available.

Flags & Scrims

Lighting Gear

Additional Gear

Do I need a permit to film at the studio?

The City of Burbank requires permits for all film shoots. Their pricing is $398 for up to 2 days, $707 for up to 7 days. Student permits are $25 for up to 2 days, and $100 for up to 7 days. Permits are free for non-profits. Please allow at least 3 business days for processing. Depending on the size of your crew, or any special safety concerns for stunts or exterior shots, they may require an on-site police or fire officer at an additional fee. Since we are established as a "Permanent Production Location" and have an annual permit on-file with the fire department, they typically waive the requirement of an on-site fire officer.

Though we don't require a copy of your permit, you are responsible for obtaining one before your shoot. We are not liable for any expenses incurred, or refunding studio rental fees, if your production is halted by a police or fire dept official. Apply online at www.filmburbankca.com

Insurance Requirements & Liability

You are responsible for your own insurance to cover damage & liability, and agree to replace or reimburse for damage within 48 hours. Also, this is a working sound stage and construction zone, so there may be loose nails, sharp edges, power tools, wet paint, etc. While we make every effort to ensure a safe environment, use of the studio is at your own risk and liability. Insurance policies even for short-term productions can be expensive, and you may have different requirements depending on the coverages you need (i.e. liability, rented equipment, vehicles, worker's comp, stunts, pyro effects, animals, drones, etc). Below are a few sources for production insurance, but we have no relationship with any of these companies, and all links are provided as examples only!

Studio Rules

• Stage all equipment in designated area in rear workshop/loading area. Please do not use standing sets as storage & work areas, to avoid damage!
• No Smoking permitted inside studio, only in designated smoking area on side of building.
• No flames, fake blood, liquids or dirt effects without approval.
• No animals allowed inside studio without pre-approval and signed animal waiver.
• 4-foot perimeter fire lanes around sets must be kept clear at all times.
• No painting, or spraying of any aerosols indoors.
• Must use Command Strips or existing screw holes for hanging anything on walls. No new holes allowed under any circumstances!!
• Prop weapons brought onsite must be inspected by studio staff.
• Any furniture or decor moved, must be returned to original position after shoot. (Please refer to photos on our website for exact placement)
• Cleaning Checklist: Empty Trash, Empty Fridge, Clean Coffee Machine (if used), Wipe Counters & Any Spills, Sweep Floors If Needed,

Tape Markers from Floors, All Studio Grip Gear Back On Cart, All Studio Practical Lightbulbs Put Back & Turned On

Can I come scout the studio? How about a tech scout?

Yes, you are welcome to contact us to schedule a 30-minute appointment to tour the studio! Please note that scouting appointments are only available around the crews filming, and are typically at either 7:30am or 9pm, though may vary slightly depending on filming schedules. We do not allow any scouting while a crew is filming in the studio, both for liability reasons and as a courtesy, just as you would not want crews walking around while you are in the middle of filming here. Once you have booked, we allow an additional tech scout of up to 30 minutes per day booked (i.e. 3-day shoot can have up to 90 minutes).

How Is Studio Time Calculated?

Rental time is calculated from when first person enters, until last person leaves. Additional hours are charged in 15-minute increments, if available, and require staff approval, as there may be other crews coming after you and we want to be fair to them.

Painting / Hanging Artwork

Unfortunately we are not able to allow painting of any of our sets. However you may also use and paint the many 4’x8’ or 8'x10' flats that we have available, which do not need to be painted back afterward.

For artwork, you must use Command Strips or other temporary mounting solutions (that leave no residue or damage paint), or existing screw holes for hanging anything on walls. No new holes or drilling allowed under any circumstances!!

Power / Clearance / Rigging

The studio has a 200-Amp main panel, of which 140 Amps are dedicated for lighting use (20A circuits). The building is a bow & truss airplane hangar style construction, with clear ceiling height of 12' to beams, and total height of 20' in the center. You may secure lights and rigging to the beams.

Can I bring a car in the studio?

A car or small truck can fit in our exterior loading door, and be brought into the immediate loading zone in back for filming, however vehicles may no longer go onto our cyc, as we now have flats and sets obstructing the path. The rear loading area is suitable for getting interior dialog shots, but not car exterior. For safety reasons, and per fire marshal rules, the ignition MUST be turned off at all times, battery disconnected, and have less than 1/4 tank of gas. The vehicle can be rolled into place from the back alley. You must notify us in advance of your shoot if you plan to do this.

Can I bring animals into the studio?

We may allow an animal actor in the studio specifically for filming purposes on a case-by-case basis with prior approval. But for liability reasons, unfortunately we do not allow cast or crew to bring pets inside the studio. We welcome ADA-qualified service animals that are specifically trained to work or perform a task for people with disabilities.

All animals MUST be pre-approved in advance of your shoot, and require a signed liability waiver by both the producer and animal handler, a sign posted inside the studio lobby during your shoot advising cast & crew of an animal on-set, and you are responsible for any damage, mess, or injury caused by the animal.

According to the ADA: Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person's disability. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. Under the ADA, the service animal must already be trained before it can be taken into public places as a service animal. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal's work or the individual's disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls. In California, pretending to be an owner of a service dog is a criminal misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 (and/or up to six months imprisonment).

Parking

There is plenty of free parking on the street in front of the studio, as well as nearby streets. Trucks may be unloaded in front of the rear garage door, and then moved. There is a parking spot on the side of the building for up to a 2-ton truck. Larger crews have rented nearby parking lots from neighboring businesses in the past, and we can provide contact info on request.

Airport Proximity

Despite being close to Burbank Airport, our location was carefully selected to not be in the flight path of departing and arriving planes. The main runway runs North/South, and we are directly East of the airport, so it is very rare for a plane to cross overhead, ensuring minimal sound interruptions.

Soundproofing

While we’ve made a strong effort to reduce outside sound interference, please note that our studio is not 100% soundproof. As a facility catering to low-budget projects and charging significantly less than other studios, we accept our limitations and ask that you do as well. That said, it's pretty quiet here, and most crews are very satisfied with the ambient noise levels.