Events at White Studios LTD, Auckland

Question 1

White Studios isn’t set up with fixed “seating capacity” because it’s a flexible studio space. In practice, each studio can comfortably hold many crew members – makeup, photographers, lighting techs, etc. – plus the talent. Studio 1 (18m×10.5m) might hold 20+ people moving around, while Studios 2 and 3 are smaller. If you arrange chairs or bleachers against the wall, you could seat maybe 50 people in Studio 1, but it’s not intended for audiences. Essentially, capacity is informal: just be mindful of fire-safety exit aisles. Plan for at least 6–10 crew per technician (camera, lighting), plus talent and clients, per studio.

Answer

White Studios isn’t set up with fixed “seating capacity” because it’s a flexible studio space. In practice, each studio can comfortably hold many crew members – makeup, photographers, lighting techs, etc. – plus the talent. Studio 1 (18m×10.5m) might hold 20+ people moving around, while Studios 2 and 3 are smaller. If you arrange chairs or bleachers against the wall, you could seat maybe 50 people in Studio 1, but it’s not intended for audiences. Essentially, capacity is informal: just be mindful of fire-safety exit aisles. Plan for at least 6–10 crew per technician (camera, lighting), plus talent and clients, per studio.

Question 2

No, White Studios is not a public ticketed event venue. It’s strictly a private hire facility. You cannot walk in without a booking. Anyone using the space must have a confirmed reservation. There is no box office, no tickets on sale and no general admission. To use White Studios, you would schedule a studio rental and receive a booking reference; there’s no public entry or sales at the door.

Answer

No, White Studios is not a public ticketed event venue. It’s strictly a private hire facility. You cannot walk in without a booking. Anyone using the space must have a confirmed reservation. There is no box office, no tickets on sale and no general admission. To use White Studios, you would schedule a studio rental and receive a booking reference; there’s no public entry or sales at the door.

Question 3

Bookings are done via contact with White Studios management – typically by email or phone. They will give you a quote based on your needs. Day rates (approx. 10 hours) are about NZ$600 for Studio 1, $450 for Studio 2, $350 for Studio 3, with roughly half of those for a 4–5hr half-day (www.sharedspace.co.nz) (www.sharedspace.co.nz). Equipment rental prices (cameras, lights, etc.) are listed on their website, usually per day. After you agree, you’ll sign a hire agreement and likely pay a deposit. No special “presale” or membership is needed – just plan ahead, as popular days book out quickly. If you want gear like cameras or lenses, be sure to reserve those when you book the studio, or they might not be available later.

Answer

Bookings are done via contact with White Studios management – typically by email or phone. They will give you a quote based on your needs. Day rates (approx. 10 hours) are about NZ$600 for Studio 1, $450 for Studio 2, $350 for Studio 3, with roughly half of those for a 4–5hr half-day (www.sharedspace.co.nz) (www.sharedspace.co.nz). Equipment rental prices (cameras, lights, etc.) are listed on their website, usually per day. After you agree, you’ll sign a hire agreement and likely pay a deposit. No special “presale” or membership is needed – just plan ahead, as popular days book out quickly. If you want gear like cameras or lenses, be sure to reserve those when you book the studio, or they might not be available later.

Question 4

White Studios provides a small number of dedicated on-site parking spaces for crews and clients (www.sharedspace.co.nz), usually free with your booking. These include van-accessible spots for loading gear. Outside of those, street parking in Eden Terrace/Grafton is limited and often metered. The nearest large paid carpark is the Khyber Pass Reservoir parking (on symonds St, 1–2 minute walk). You can also park at the nearby Karangahape Rd (K' Rd) side or use Auckland CBD’s public carparks on Symonds Street a block away. Because of tight street parking, many visitors prefer to use the on-site spots or come via public transport if possible.

Answer

White Studios provides a small number of dedicated on-site parking spaces for crews and clients (www.sharedspace.co.nz), usually free with your booking. These include van-accessible spots for loading gear. Outside of those, street parking in Eden Terrace/Grafton is limited and often metered. The nearest large paid carpark is the Khyber Pass Reservoir parking (on symonds St, 1–2 minute walk). You can also park at the nearby Karangahape Rd (K' Rd) side or use Auckland CBD’s public carparks on Symonds Street a block away. Because of tight street parking, many visitors prefer to use the on-site spots or come via public transport if possible.

Question 5

The studio is quite transit-accessible. The nearest train stop is Grafton Station (Western Line), roughly a 5–10 minute walk across the Grafton Bridge. Multiple bus routes stop on Symonds Street and Arthur Street (at Khyber Pass Road) nearby – routes like the 30, 295, 64 and others connect through here to the city center and suburbs. Most buses come about every 10–20 minutes on weekdays. Taxis and ride-shares can easily reach the address at 30 Burleigh St. If taking a taxi/Uber, have them drop you exactly at White Studios - the main entrance is on Burleigh Street just off Symonds.

Answer

The studio is quite transit-accessible. The nearest train stop is Grafton Station (Western Line), roughly a 5–10 minute walk across the Grafton Bridge. Multiple bus routes stop on Symonds Street and Arthur Street (at Khyber Pass Road) nearby – routes like the 30, 295, 64 and others connect through here to the city center and suburbs. Most buses come about every 10–20 minutes on weekdays. Taxis and ride-shares can easily reach the address at 30 Burleigh St. If taking a taxi/Uber, have them drop you exactly at White Studios - the main entrance is on Burleigh Street just off Symonds.

Question 6

White Studios’ office is normally open weekdays from about 8:00 am to 6:00 pm; photography shoots are usually booked in block times during those hours. They are generally closed on Sundays (and not accepting drop-in visits). Because it’s not an entertainment venue, there is no box office or ticket desk. Instead, everything is by appointment – you must make a prior booking to come in. Keep in mind that if your project goes after dark, that needs to be arranged in advance, but the staff do support overnight or early-morning setups if you give notice.

Answer

White Studios’ office is normally open weekdays from about 8:00 am to 6:00 pm; photography shoots are usually booked in block times during those hours. They are generally closed on Sundays (and not accepting drop-in visits). Because it’s not an entertainment venue, there is no box office or ticket desk. Instead, everything is by appointment – you must make a prior booking to come in. Keep in mind that if your project goes after dark, that needs to be arranged in advance, but the staff do support overnight or early-morning setups if you give notice.

Question 7

There’s no formal dress code – crews and clients usually wear casual clothes suitable for a work environment. However, guests should wear safe, non-marking shoes (no high heels on the cyclorama, for instance). Directors often wear black to be inconspicuous on set. As for age, minors are allowed if part of the project, but must be supervised by an adult (e.g. child performers with a guardian present). Since this is essentially a workplace/studio, it’s not geared for very young children. Otherwise, any standard studio etiquette applies. Remember, people on set usually keep quiet around recording areas and follow the set rules (e.g. no food on the set floor). There are no costumes or formal uniforms needed.

Answer

There’s no formal dress code – crews and clients usually wear casual clothes suitable for a work environment. However, guests should wear safe, non-marking shoes (no high heels on the cyclorama, for instance). Directors often wear black to be inconspicuous on set. As for age, minors are allowed if part of the project, but must be supervised by an adult (e.g. child performers with a guardian present). Since this is essentially a workplace/studio, it’s not geared for very young children. Otherwise, any standard studio etiquette applies. Remember, people on set usually keep quiet around recording areas and follow the set rules (e.g. no food on the set floor). There are no costumes or formal uniforms needed.

Question 8

White Studios has client kitchens in each studio area, complete with a sink and microwave. Free hot drinks (tea and coffee) and filtered water are usually available at the coffee station (www.eventfinda.co.nz) (www.sharedspace.co.nz). Crews often bring their own snacks or order catering. There is no full cafeteria – you should plan to bring your own food or get takeout from nearby cafes. During longer shoots, producers commonly arrange sandwich platters or pizza deliveries, which the staff will help you reheat. The studio lounge has sofas and fridge space to store lunches. Alcohol is not served by White Studios; if you want beer or wine on set, you must BYO (with staff approval and only in designated areas). Otherwise, expect to eat outside or in the local eateries mentioned above between photo/video sessions.

Answer

White Studios has client kitchens in each studio area, complete with a sink and microwave. Free hot drinks (tea and coffee) and filtered water are usually available at the coffee station (www.eventfinda.co.nz) (www.sharedspace.co.nz). Crews often bring their own snacks or order catering. There is no full cafeteria – you should plan to bring your own food or get takeout from nearby cafes. During longer shoots, producers commonly arrange sandwich platters or pizza deliveries, which the staff will help you reheat. The studio lounge has sofas and fridge space to store lunches. Alcohol is not served by White Studios; if you want beer or wine on set, you must BYO (with staff approval and only in designated areas). Otherwise, expect to eat outside or in the local eateries mentioned above between photo/video sessions.

Question 9

Yes, accessibility is provided. Studio 3 is on the ground floor with ramp access, so it is wheelchair-friendly (www.sharedspace.co.nz). Studio 1 also has drive-in access via a ramp into the first floor space (www.sharedspace.co.nz), allowing wheelchair entry. There should be accessible restrooms on each level. If you have specific mobility requirements, it’s best to contact the studio in advance, but in general the building is compliant with NZ accessibility standards. Staff can also assist with moving furniture to accommodate a wheelchair path.

Answer

Yes, accessibility is provided. Studio 3 is on the ground floor with ramp access, so it is wheelchair-friendly (www.sharedspace.co.nz). Studio 1 also has drive-in access via a ramp into the first floor space (www.sharedspace.co.nz), allowing wheelchair entry. There should be accessible restrooms on each level. If you have specific mobility requirements, it’s best to contact the studio in advance, but in general the building is compliant with NZ accessibility standards. Staff can also assist with moving furniture to accommodate a wheelchair path.

Question 10

No – the studios have basic construction with hard surfaces, so they are not fully soundproof from outside noise. If complete silence is needed (for example, in recording audio or ADR), White Studios provides portable sound-absorbing screens and blackout curtains to muffle sound (thefamilycompany.co.nz). These can help a lot, but you should still expect some echo and possibly ambient traffic sound if windows are open. We recommend doing loud playback only when set up to minimize echo. In normal use, crews often wear headphones for monitoring or simply schedule quiet breaks if music from an adjacent studio is heard. In short: it’s a studio environment, not an anechoic chamber.

Answer

No – the studios have basic construction with hard surfaces, so they are not fully soundproof from outside noise. If complete silence is needed (for example, in recording audio or ADR), White Studios provides portable sound-absorbing screens and blackout curtains to muffle sound (thefamilycompany.co.nz). These can help a lot, but you should still expect some echo and possibly ambient traffic sound if windows are open. We recommend doing loud playback only when set up to minimize echo. In normal use, crews often wear headphones for monitoring or simply schedule quiet breaks if music from an adjacent studio is heard. In short: it’s a studio environment, not an anechoic chamber.

Question 11

You can bring your personal gear (such as cameras or tripods) with you, but White Studios requires all major gear rentals – especially lighting and professional cameras – to be booked through them. Their policy forbids bringing in large third-party rentals not on their list (whitestudios.co.nz). This is mainly for insurance reasons. So if you plan to use gear from another rental company or a “friend’s” big light, you really need to clear that with White Studios first. However, you may bring smaller accessories or props without issue. Just remember: don’t leave expensive gear unattended during breaks, and keep props within your booked studio area (where the crew can watch them).

Answer

You can bring your personal gear (such as cameras or tripods) with you, but White Studios requires all major gear rentals – especially lighting and professional cameras – to be booked through them. Their policy forbids bringing in large third-party rentals not on their list (whitestudios.co.nz). This is mainly for insurance reasons. So if you plan to use gear from another rental company or a “friend’s” big light, you really need to clear that with White Studios first. However, you may bring smaller accessories or props without issue. Just remember: don’t leave expensive gear unattended during breaks, and keep props within your booked studio area (where the crew can watch them).

Question 12

If a piece of hired equipment malfunctions during your shoot, White Studios has a prompt replacement policy. They test all gear before delivery and keep backups on hand. According to their service promises, White Studios will “replace the item as quickly as possible to keep your production shooting” (whitestudios.co.nz). In practice, that means they aim to drop off a working replacement the same day, if logistics allow. You should immediately notify White Studios if something fails. (Note: you are responsible for normal wear-and-tear; if it’s accidental damage or negligence, excess fees may apply.)

Answer

If a piece of hired equipment malfunctions during your shoot, White Studios has a prompt replacement policy. They test all gear before delivery and keep backups on hand. According to their service promises, White Studios will “replace the item as quickly as possible to keep your production shooting” (whitestudios.co.nz). In practice, that means they aim to drop off a working replacement the same day, if logistics allow. You should immediately notify White Studios if something fails. (Note: you are responsible for normal wear-and-tear; if it’s accidental damage or negligence, excess fees may apply.)

Question 13

Yes. By default, White Studios’ equipment hire is insured with a NZ$1,200 excess per claim. In simple terms, if a rented item is lost or damaged, the first $1,200 of the loss is payable by you. However, you can opt into a “Damage Waiver” by paying 10% of the total hire fee. With this waiver, your excess drops to just $350 (whitestudios.co.nz). (So on a $1,000 hire, you could pay an extra $100 up front to reduce your potential liability.) You’ll choose this option when you sign the rental agreement. If you decline the waiver, just be certain to handle gear very carefully.

Answer

Yes. By default, White Studios’ equipment hire is insured with a NZ$1,200 excess per claim. In simple terms, if a rented item is lost or damaged, the first $1,200 of the loss is payable by you. However, you can opt into a “Damage Waiver” by paying 10% of the total hire fee. With this waiver, your excess drops to just $350 (whitestudios.co.nz). (So on a $1,000 hire, you could pay an extra $100 up front to reduce your potential liability.) You’ll choose this option when you sign the rental agreement. If you decline the waiver, just be certain to handle gear very carefully.

Question 14

White Studios typically does not ask for a separate cash deposit; instead they invoice the full hire cost (and any damage waiver) upfront. The money you pay covers both studio time and equipment. If you opt for the damage waiver, that effectively covers any small breakages up to the reduced excess. If no damage occurs and no overtime is charged, there is nothing to refund because the invoice only covers agreed charges. If you do incur additional costs (like overtime labor or repair fees), those would be invoiced after the shoot. But if all goes smoothly, you won’t have a deposit returned – you simply pay for what you used in advance.

Answer

White Studios typically does not ask for a separate cash deposit; instead they invoice the full hire cost (and any damage waiver) upfront. The money you pay covers both studio time and equipment. If you opt for the damage waiver, that effectively covers any small breakages up to the reduced excess. If no damage occurs and no overtime is charged, there is nothing to refund because the invoice only covers agreed charges. If you do incur additional costs (like overtime labor or repair fees), those would be invoiced after the shoot. But if all goes smoothly, you won’t have a deposit returned – you simply pay for what you used in advance.

Question 15

The biggest mistake is under-planning. People sometimes book only the studio but forget to also reserve needed equipment or staff. Always double-check that your camera, lenses, lights and power accessories are all booked. Another common error is arriving late or expecting extra time. Remember the pay-by-the-hour schedule – overruns will cost you. Some visitors forget that it’s a white studio: wearing dark shoes or dirty clothing can leave marks on the cyclorama, which leads to extra cleanup charges. Finally, not communicating special needs (like wheelchair access, additional seating, or meal breaks) can lead to surprises. The solution is simple: read your contract carefully, ask about any uncertain rules beforehand, and show up prepared.

Answer

The biggest mistake is under-planning. People sometimes book only the studio but forget to also reserve needed equipment or staff. Always double-check that your camera, lenses, lights and power accessories are all booked. Another common error is arriving late or expecting extra time. Remember the pay-by-the-hour schedule – overruns will cost you. Some visitors forget that it’s a white studio: wearing dark shoes or dirty clothing can leave marks on the cyclorama, which leads to extra cleanup charges. Finally, not communicating special needs (like wheelchair access, additional seating, or meal breaks) can lead to surprises. The solution is simple: read your contract carefully, ask about any uncertain rules beforehand, and show up prepared.

Events at White Studios LTD, Auckland

Reggae Rodeo & Uplifting Sound System

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