Beyond the Studio with Brent Pierce

In this episode, Brent Pierce — owner of a 2,800-square-foot photography, video, and podcast studio in the Austin, Texas area — breaks down what it really takes to price your studio rental services.Learn how location, competition, and studio size all play a major role in your pricing strategy. Brent shares his real-world experience starting at $95/hour and how he adjusted over time to reflect market demand, overhead costs, and client feedback.You’ll also hear practical advice on:How to research studio rental pricing in your marketWhy you should avoid being the “cheapest in town”Factoring in utilities, cleaning, and other overheadCreating membership or package pricing for loyal clientsBuilding a community through consistent rentersWhether you’re running a photography studio, content studio, or podcast space, this episode gives you actionable insight to price your studio confidently — and profitably.Keywords: studio pricing, studio rental, photography studio, content studio, video studio, podcast studio, rental rates, pricing strategy, Austin, creative business, studio membership, pricing tips.

Beyond the Studio is a podcast by Brent Pierce that dives into the real-life challenges, successes, and lessons learned from building and running creative studios. Each episode features conversations with fellow studio owners, offering firsthand insights into the ups and downs of managing a studio in photography, podcasting, and video production.   In this episode, we talk with Raben McLeroy from Pipe Grids about the technical side of studio design that most creators never see. From ceiling grids and psych walls to equipment cages and complete studio solutions, discover how proper infrastructure elevates content creation. Raben shares insights on their journey from a COVID-era startup to working with Netflix and Howie Mandel, common mistakes studio owners make, and the future of production space design. This conversation reveals the professional approach to creating safe, functional, and visually impressive production environments.   http://PipeGrids.com https://www.instagram.com/pipegrids

Join me as I sit down with Talmage Thayne, who heads the podcast division at FilmLaab. In this episode, Talmage shares his journey of building a professional podcast studio alongside FilmLaab's production company, and how he even shot a podcast episode with Mr. Beast. Key topics discussed: How FilmLaab transformed a 100-year-old school into professional podcast studios Their approach to pricing podcast production ($300/hr studio time, $750-1000 per produced episode) The importance of finding the right clients and team members Tips for creating engaging social media clips from podcast content His unique modular studio design approach with multiple sets The challenges and solutions in scaling a podcast production business How they maintain high production quality while being hands-on with clients   Follow Talmage and FilmLaab: Website: filmlaab.com http://Instagram.com/filmlaab.podcasts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmlaab   Beyond the Studio is a podcast by Brent Pierce that dives into the real-life challenges, successes, and lessons learned from building and running creative studios. Each episode features conversations with fellow studio owners, offering firsthand insights into the ups and downs of managing a studio in photography, podcasting, and video production.   #PodcastProduction #FilmLaab #PodcastStudio #ContentCreation #VideoProduction #PodcastTips #BusinessGrowth #CreativeEntrepreneur

Beyond the Studio is a podcast by Brent Pierce that dives into the real-life challenges, successes, and lessons learned from building and running creative studios. Each episode features conversations with fellow studio owners, offering firsthand insights into the ups and downs of managing a studio in photography, podcasting, and video production.   In this episode of Beyond The Studio, I sit down with Hass Khan, founder of Content Factory ATX. We dive into how he built a content creation powerhouse that produces 700+ videos monthly, manages 25 team members, and serves clients worldwide. Hass shares his journey from freelancer to studio owner, revealing the systems and strategies that helped him scale.   Topics covered: • Building a content studio from scratch • Hiring and managing a remote team • Creating viral hooks that stop the scroll • Studio equipment and setup• Client acquisition strategies • Transitioning from freelance to agency   Hass Khan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hasskhan_ Content Factory ATX: https://www.instagram.com/contentfactoryatx_

Beyond the Studio is a podcast by Brent Pierce that dives into the real-life challenges, successes, and lessons learned from building and running creative studios. Each episode features conversations with fellow studio owners, offering firsthand insights into the ups and downs of managing a studio in photography, podcasting, and video production.   In this episode, I chat with Tom Brown from Chicago Podcast Studio. Tom has a Youtube channel called "The Studio Business" where he talks about his experience owning a podcast studio. We talk about tips for opening up a studio and lots of other topics. There will definitely be a part 2 of this someday since it was such a great conversation.   Chicago Podcast Studio: https://www.instagram.com/chicagopodcaststudio The Studio Business: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStudioBusiness

In this episode of Beyond the Studio, Brent Pierce interviews Taylor Juarez, the studio manager of Round Rock Studio. They discuss Taylor's journey from wedding videographer to studio manager, the importance of client experience, and the systems in place for managing client relationships. The conversation also covers marketing strategies, the significance of reviews, and the introduction of membership programs to foster a creative community. They reflect on the challenges faced in the first two years of operation and the evolution of the studio's services, including podcasting.   Beyond the Studio is a podcast by Brent Pierce that dives into the real-life challenges, successes, and lessons learned from building and running creative studios. Each episode features conversations with fellow studio owners, offering firsthand insights into the ups and downs of managing a studio in photography, podcasting, and video production.   Taylor Brooke Creative Solutions: www.taylorbrookecreativesolutions.com IG: instagram.com/taylorbrookecreativesolutions   Chapters: 00:01:20 Meet Taylor – An Introduction 00:03:16 Taylor’s Role at Round Rock Studio 00:06:25 Simplifying the Booking Process 00:11:07 The Power of Google Reviews 00:13:07 Why Peerspace Matters 00:18:20 Building Community Through Memberships 00:23:43 Moving Into Our Creative Space 00:31:31 Overcoming Initial Challenges 00:34:35 Membership Details Unpacked 00:37:20 Closing Thoughts

In this conversation, Brent Pierce speaks with husband & wife duo Justin Kirchhoff and Kristina Smith from Virtigo Pictures, a virtual production facility in Austin, Texas. They discuss their journey into the film industry, the evolution of their business model, and the significance of mentorship in the creative field.   Beyond the Studio is a podcast by Brent Pierce that dives into the real-life challenges, successes, and lessons learned from building and running creative studios. Each episode features conversations with fellow studio owners, offering firsthand insights into the ups and downs of managing a studio in photography, podcasting, and video production.   Virtigo Pictures: https://www.virtigopictures.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/virtigopictures Justin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkirchhoff Kristina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinabgs   Chapters   00:00 Introduction to Virtigo Pictures 02:51 The Journey to Virtual Production 06:11 Understanding Virtual Production and the Volume Wall 09:02 Adapting Business Models in a Changing Landscape 11:56 Finding the Right Location for Success 15:12 The Importance of Mentorship and Education 18:03 Personal Reflections on Creativity and Family 20:51 The Impact of Storytelling in Film 24:14 Conclusion and Future Aspirations 36:39 The Journey of Balancing Life and Business 39:32 Finding Clients and Building a Brand 42:36 Navigating Costs and Investments in Production 48:54 Creative Problem Solving in Business 53:10 The Importance of Storytelling in Production 01:00:20 Adapting to New Trends in Commercial Production 01:08:25 Advice for Aspiring Studio Owners

In this episode, I chat with my good friend, Adrian Garcia who owns a podcast studio in San Antonio called Studio O. If you're ever at The Pearl in SA, check him out!   Studio O: https://www.onwardgroup.us/studioo Adrian Garcia: https://www.instagram.com/adriangarciasa   Beyond the Studio is a podcast by Brent Pierce that dives into the real-life challenges, successes, and lessons learned from building and running creative studios. Each episode features conversations with fellow studio owners, offering firsthand insights into the ups and downs of managing a studio in photography, podcasting, and video production.

Beyond the Studio is a podcast by Brent Pierce that dives into the real-life challenges, successes, and lessons learned from building and running creative studios. Each episode features conversations with fellow studio owners, offering firsthand insights into the ups and downs of managing a studio in photography, podcasting, and video production.   In this episode, I chat with Ben Root and Rachael Knopf from 2Perf Productions about the journey of transforming a small space into a fully functional production studio. They discuss the unique challenges of working in a smaller studio, how they maximize every inch of their setup, and the flexibility it offers for both indie projects and larger clients. From lighting hacks to adapting their space for big-name productions, Ben and Rachael show how a small studio can deliver big results.

Beyond the Studio is a podcast by Brent Pierce that dives into the real-life challenges, successes, and lessons learned from building and running creative studios. Each episode features conversations with fellow studio owners, offering firsthand insights into the ups and downs of managing a studio in photography, podcasting, and video production.   In this episode, I chat with Logan Lepper, owner of Authentic Exposure Studio, a top-tier boutique podcast studio in Austin, Tx.   Authentic Exposure Studio: https://theaestudio.co   00:00 Introduction 05:17 Navigating business with your spouse 06:27 Designing the perfect set 09:31 Achieving success on Peerspace 11:50 Essential software tools Logan uses 16:36 Effective marketing strategies 19:13 Overcoming major challenges 21:02 Balancing fatherhood and running a business 25:24 Offering podcast studio consulting 29:53 Gear recommendations and setup 31:28 Expanding your services 39:25 How consistency leads to success 40:55 Key advice for launching your own studio

In this episode of Beyond the Studio, I sit down with Nate Strayer, the owner of Stray Vista Studios, a 10,000 sq/ft virtual production studio in Austin, TX. Nate shares the highs and lows of running a cutting-edge studio, including the intense financial hurdles he had to overcome to get started. We dive into the unique filmmaking culture of Austin, the evolution of virtual production technology, and the mental and physical stress that comes with studio ownership.   Nate Strayer's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-strayer-701a5b123 Stray Vista Studios: https://www.strayvista.com   Chapters: 00:01:54 Introduction 00:05:07 Applying College to His Career 00:07:27 The Initial Idea Behind Stray Vista 00:15:57 Understanding the Costs of Virtual Production 00:17:23 Balancing Creativity and Productivity 00:21:29 Building the Team at Stray Vista 00:27:11 The Technical Aspects of Virtual Production 00:31:46 Finding Clients for Your Studio 00:45:18 Planning and Designing the Studio Build 00:49:53 Managing the Stress of Studio Ownership 00:54:54 Positioning Your Studio for Success 00:58:43 Advice for Aspiring Studio Owners 01:00:12 What’s Next for Stray Vista?