Pre-light & Shoot
Packages London
Give the lighting its own time. Plan a preparation session before your photography or film shoot at Cineview Studios in Greenwich, so your crew can build the look before talent arrives.
Prepare the setup.
Protect the shoot day.
Complex lighting, reflective products, several camera positions or a built set can take time to get right. A separate pre-light period lets your crew test the setup, refine the plan and identify practical changes before the main shoot.
Discuss an evening session or a separate preparation day, subject to availability. Agree access times, equipment, crew responsibilities and the following shoot period in one tailored quote.
Make the preparation
specific to your shots.
Shape the light
Rig the agreed fixtures, test diffusion and flags, check reflections and judge the light on a stand-in or sample product. Your crew decides the creative setup.
Test the camera
Check framing, lens choices, exposure, white balance and camera movement with the equipment you will use on the shoot. Record useful reference frames.
Plan the handover
Mark positions safely, record settings and agree what can remain in place. Keep access routes clear and confirm the next day’s arrival and responsibilities.
Test the details
before the first take.
Camera and light together
Check the look through your own camera rather than relying on the eye alone. Plan exposure, colour and the intended movement.
Your actual shooting kit
Bring the lenses, filters, monitoring and camera accessories you need for the tests. Confirm separately hired equipment in advance.
A clear start on shoot day
Use reference stills, settings and a setup checklist to brief the arriving crew. Allow time for the final checks and any changes.
Production photographs illustrate preparation activities; the studio photograph shows Cineview’s own infinity cove.
Map the booking
from arrival to pack-down.
| Booking stage | Agree before confirming |
|---|---|
| Preparation access | Date, start and finish times, loading, rigging, equipment arrival and who will supervise the work. |
| Between sessions | Whether lights, sets or cases may remain, any storage or retention charges, security arrangements and the studio’s next use. |
| Shoot day | Crew call, talent and client arrival, final tests, shooting time, breaks and changes between setups. |
| Strike and return | Time to dismantle, return hired equipment, load out, remove waste and restore the studio to the agreed condition. |
Overnight retention is not automatic. Confirm permission and responsibilities before leaving any equipment or set in the studio. A pre-light session is separately quoted; do not assume it is free or included with shoot-day hire.
Keep a reference.
Make the setup repeatable.
Capture reference frames and note fixture positions, output settings, modifiers, camera settings and subject marks. If your shoot needs several looks, prioritise the most demanding setup and decide what can change quickly.
For dialogue scenes, arrange sound checks with your sound recordist during preparation. Share any special effects, haze, overhead rigging or unusual power requirements with the studio before booking.
Turn the lighting plan
into a practical booking.
Your preparation session
Include the preferred preparation date, access window, setup plan, crew size and equipment delivery requirements.
Your main shoot
Share the shoot date, working hours, scenes or products, talent numbers and whether the setup must remain between sessions.
Your kit and support
List hired lights and grip alongside your own equipment. A gaffer, photographer or camera operator is not automatically included; discuss any separately available support.
Bring your own equipment at no extra bring-your-own charge. Studio time, additional hired equipment and any agreed support are confirmed in the quote. Full payment is required to secure the booking.
Pre-light studio hire.
Your questions answered.
Can I pre-light the evening before my shoot?
Ask about your preferred evening and the following shoot date. Access depends on availability and the agreed booking. Confirm the start and finish times, equipment and crew arrangements before making your schedule.
Is pre-light time included in a full-day booking?
A separate pre-light session or preparation day is separately quoted unless your agreed booking explicitly includes it. Ask for both periods to be shown clearly in the quote.
Can lights and sets stay overnight?
Only by prior agreement. Confirm what can remain, storage or retention charges, security and responsibilities between sessions. The studio may have other bookings or practical requirements.
Can I bring my own lighting crew and kit?
Yes. There is no extra bring-your-own equipment charge. Share the kit list, power and rigging requirements and ensure your team can operate and install the equipment safely.
Do I need a full preparation day?
It depends on the setup. Share your lighting plan, number of looks, set requirements and camera tests so a suitable preparation window can be discussed. Allow time to load in and make the space ready.
Are student and charity discounts available?
Student and charity discounts are available for filming and photography. Share the project, dates and budget so the applicable studio rate and any equipment or preparation charges can be confirmed.