← Encounter Studios

Studio policies

Studio & rental policies.

Rental time, setup and breakdown+

Please include setup and breakdown time when booking. Every reservation period includes the following, and all of it must happen within the contracted rental period:

  • Load-in
  • Vendor access
  • Setup
  • Production or gathering time
  • Breakdown
  • Cleanup / reset
  • Load-out

Rental time begins at the contracted start time. It ends only when the client, guests, vendors, equipment, decorations, personal belongings and other client-related items have exited the facility.

Early access is not included. Clients, vendors, production teams, decorators, caterers and other service providers may enter at the contracted start time unless earlier access has been purchased or approved in writing by Encounter Studios.

10-Hour Production Buyout: up to 10 consecutive hours. Choose your start and end time within available studio operating hours and approved extended-access hours; setup and breakdown must occur within those 10 hours.

Full-Day Buyout: up to 16 hours, available 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM (midnight). All clients, guests, vendors, equipment, decorations and belongings must exit the facility by midnight.

Extended production hours may be available with qualifying Black Box packages and by prior approval.

Overtime+

All rentals must conclude within the contracted reservation period. If additional time is needed and the studio is available, approved overtime for the Black Box is $225/hour Monday – Thursday and $375/hour for peak/weekend periods, based on the Founding Studio Rate — not the temporary Launch Rate. Overtime is not guaranteed, and unauthorized overages may incur additional charges.

  • Monday – Thursday: $225 / hour
  • Friday – Sunday: $375 / hour

Overtime is subject to studio availability and is not guaranteed. Please do not assume your reservation can be extended. Unauthorized use of the facility beyond the contracted reservation period may result in additional charges.

Cleaning+

Standard post-rental cleaning is included with applicable Black Box buyout and approved gathering packages. Cleaning included does not mean the studio may be left in disarray. Clients remain responsible for:

  • Removing personal belongings
  • Removing decorations
  • Removing outside equipment
  • Disposing of trash in designated areas
  • Removing food and catering items
  • Returning moved furniture and studio furnishings to their original locations
  • Completing a basic reset before leaving

Excessive cleaning, specialty cleanup, damage, abandoned property or failure to return the space to the required condition may result in additional charges.

Alcohol-free facility+

Encounter Studios is an alcohol-free facility. Alcohol may not be brought onto the premises, served, sold, distributed or consumed. This applies to clients, guests, vendors, contractors and all other attendees.

Security+

Professional security may be required for evening or after-dark gatherings depending on:

  • Type of use
  • Anticipated attendance
  • Hours of operation
  • Guest flow
  • Safety considerations
  • Access-control requirements

Encounter Studios reserves the right to require professional security when reasonably necessary for the safety of guests, clients, staff and the facility. If security is required, the requirement and applicable fee will be communicated before your reservation is finalized.

Standard closed productions — film and video shoots, photography sessions, podcast recordings, business meetings and small production crews — generally do not require professional security unless Encounter Studios determines otherwise.

For facility and guest safety, security cameras monitor designated common areas, entrances, exits and other appropriate facility areas. Security cameras are not used in restrooms or private changing areas. Camera monitoring does not replace professional security when security is otherwise required.

Payments and reservations+

For qualifying Black Box buyouts and gathering reservations, a 50% reservation payment is required to secure the date. The remaining balance is due 30 days before the reservation. Reservations made within 30 days of the scheduled date require payment in full when the reservation is confirmed.

All payments are subject to the Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy. Submitting an inquiry does not confirm a date. A reservation is confirmed only after the required agreement, reservation payment or full payment, and approvals are complete.

A 3.3% + $0.30 processing fee applies to all credit and debit card transactions. Processing fees are disclosed before payment is completed and are non-refundable.

Vendors and deliveries+

All vendor deliveries, pickups, setup, breakdown, decorating, equipment installation, catering activity and rental-company activity must occur within the client's contracted rental period unless otherwise approved in writing by Encounter Studios.

Items may not be delivered before the rental period or left after the reservation without prior approval. Items left behind may result in storage fees, extended rental charges, or removal and disposal fees where appropriate.

Damage responsibility+

Clients are responsible for damage beyond normal wear and tear caused by the client, guests, vendors, contractors, production crew, equipment, decorations or anyone else associated with the reservation.

Damage to the facility, furnishings, equipment, walls, production systems, LED wall or other Encounter Studios property may result in additional charges. Actual terms may also be governed by the signed rental agreement.

Terms / rental policies

All reservations are subject to review, availability and approval by Encounter Studios, and to the policies on this page. Submitting an inquiry does not reserve a date.

Final terms are set out in the signed rental agreement. Where the agreement and this page differ, the signed agreement governs.

See also the Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy.