Big Sur Creative FAQ
Here at Big Sur, we get a lot of questions. What do you do? What does it cost? Isn’t Big Sur in California? Is $300 enough for you to shoot my music video for me? In an effort to further familiarize you with the amazing operation that is Big Sur Creative, we’ve created this FAQ blog post. Hold onto your butts, this is gonna get wild!
Where are you located and can I come for a tour?
We are located in the Studio Park building, in Hamilton, NJ, just outside of Trenton. We would love to have you by for a tour! Studio Park is a private, secured building, and as such, appointments are required to visit the studio. Just reach out and we will coordinate a time with you!
Who works at Big Sur Creative?
BSC is run by Joe Henry aka “Big Sur” and the studio is managed by Claudia Confoy. We work regularly with wild man Cody Tesnow and we have a large network of frequent collaborators to handle a variety of project scopes. Learn more about us here!
What kind of content can you create at Big Sur Studios?
Anything you can dream of! We have a color tunable cyc stage, green screen, projector, various surfaces to use as backdrops (wood, brick, greenery, etc.). If you would like to see some of the looks we’ve created recently in/around the studio, check out our Big Sur Shorts!
Are you a production company, a DP, or a studio?
Yes. Really. We offer full service productions from pre to post, along with equipment and studio rentals. If you just need a DP for your project, we can help you there as well.
What does it cost to rent the studio?
The base rate for the studio is $150/hr and we have a 2 hour minimum for rentals. We offer half day (5 hr) bundles that reduce that cost to $125/hr, or full day (10 hr) bundles that take the price down to $100/hr.
How many hours in a half/full day?
Half day bundles are 5 hours and full day bundles are 10 hours.
Can I arrive before my scheduled time to set up?
Unfortunately no, we cannot accommodate arriving early. Your studio time must include load in and load out.
What is included in the base/half/full day packages?
All studio rentals come with access to the full studio (Lobby, Hair/Makeup, Cyc Stage, Seamless Wall, and Wardrobe). Rentals also come with access to the overhead lighting grids as well as a pair of high end, powerful LED lights: the Creamsource SpaceX and the Arri Orbiter.
Can I do a photoshoot at Big Sur Studios?
Yes, of course! Our powerful, high end LED lights work well for most photo needs. However, we do not have photography-specific equipment available for rent, so you’ll need to bring any non-continuous lighting (strobes/flashes/etc) and modifiers you’d like to use, along with any props.
Do I have to bring my own ___________ ?
In general, we have all of the camera/lighting/grip equipment you would need to shoot your project available for rent (an additional charge). You are of course welcome to bring your own gear as well. We do not have chairs or props available, so you will need to bring those if you would like to use them for your shoot.
Do you have a green screen?
Yes! While we don’t have a green cyclorama wall, we do have a large 10’ green screen wall setup and pre-lit with an overhead lighting grid. This is an easy to use setup for basic green screen shots, especially talking head/interview style setups. If you need larger green screen setups, we unfortunately can’t accommodate that in our studio (yet!).
What are your hours?
We are flexible based on your needs! We’ve had shoots start at 7 am and we’ve had shoots wrap at 1 am. Weekends are available and are often preferred for music videos. If you’re interested in a tour, the best times are during the week, from 10a - 2p.
Do you offer editing/post production services?
The short answer is…maybe. While we do often bundle post productions services as part of our production packages, we typically don’t offer a la carte post production services except in rare cases. If you have a need, feel free to reach out and we can discuss!
Do you offer an in studio photographer/videographer?
In most cases, we can provide you with a videographer for an additional charge. We do not offer an in studio photographer but can help you find one if you’re looking for someone to photograph you. Feel free to reach out to discuss details!
Do you have a teleprompter?
Yes! We have a teleprompter that works with large iPads and other tablets available for an additional charge. If you’re interested in using a teleprompter for your production, contact us to discuss the best way to operate and structure your script.
