Film Studios

Film studios, big or small, can be the answer to your next project

By Nikki Davis

Finding the right movie production studio and film companies can be paramount to the creation of your next film project. Film production studios are the resource to help you choose a location and they play a critical role in backing your endeavor.

Whether you choose to go with the services of major film studios or independent movie companies, finding the right movie production studio to match your creative vision and your budget is key.

To find the right movie production studio for you:

1. Consider your budget and your creative vision. How do those items add up? Are you going single camera with easy editing, or are you considering a large production with special effects and multiple locations?

2. Ask yourself, are you looking to go with one of the major film studios or are you looking to go with one of the smaller, more intimate independent movie production companies?

3. Review the capabilities of the movie studios that make it into your top choices. How do they stack up to your budget and creative vision? Make yourself a list of pros and cons, and talk out the benefits and downfalls of each with your collaboration team.

Utilize one of the many movie production studio search resources

Use a directory list of movie studios to start your quest for a film production partner.
Try: Find lists of movie studios and film production companies through the film production chart of film industry trade journal Variety or the Hollywood Distribution Directory from The Hollywood Reporter or try ProductionHUB.com or the Library of Congress.

Check out the major film studios

There are a number of major Hollywood movie studios. Many of them come with rich histories and long traditions.
Try: Warner Brothers, home to the Batman franchise, is a complete production resource. They offer 30 different rental and service departments to help both entertainment and non-entertainment related companies. Buena Vista (Disney) gives you a hybrid of live action animation choices. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (MGM) is a movie production studio that handles motion pictures, television, home video and theatrical productions. Universal Studios invites you to bring your next production project to their production facilities. They have competitive pricing and over 80 years of experience.

Consider an independent movie production studio

Consider the use of an independent movie production studio for more personal detail and a smaller budget.
Try: Silvercup Studios is New York City's largest film and TV production facility. New York Film Studios is another independent facility. Take a look at what's new at Focus Features, or look at Morgan Creek, who's been in business now for over 20 years.

Look at animation film production studios

Animation is a hot genre for adults and kids alike, so consider collaborating with one of the animation film production studios.
Try: Take a look at the video production studio Dreamworks Animation. You can also find out company information about Pixar Animation Studios.

Even if you choose not to film on their lot, major film studios are great resources to helping you put together your collaborative artistic team.