How to work out a studio rental fee: hours, crew size and VAT
- Rental fee = (base hourly rate + extra people × fee per extra person) × booked hours + VAT
- Booked hours run from setup to wrap, not just the shoot. If that's under the minimum, the minimum applies.
- ROKE's estimate is for reference; the host's quote sets the final price.
A studio rate card usually has five parts: base hourly rate, base headcount, extra-person fee, minimum hours and VAT. Know those five and you can predict the quote almost exactly.
The formula
Rental fee = (base hourly rate + extra people × fee per extra person) × booked hours
Total = rental fee + 10% VAT
A smaller crew doesn't lower the base rate. Where pricing is tiered by crew size, such as ‘₩300,000 up to 25 people, ₩400,000 for 26 or more’, the hourly rate itself changes by tier.
Start with booked hours
Every place listed on ROKE bills from arrival to departure, so start from your shooting schedule.
- Setup — rigging lights, sets and props
- Shooting — the actual shoot plus rehearsals
- Wrap — striking gear and putting furniture and props back
If the total is under the minimum, you pay the minimum. Most places charge the booked time even if you finish early, so leave a margin but don't overbook.
Example 1: daylight studio, 6 people for 3 hours
91s STUDIO publishes ₩50,000 per hour for up to 4 people, ₩5,000 per extra person per hour, with a 2-hour minimum.
| Item | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | 50,000 + (6 − 4) × 5,000 | ₩60,000 |
| Rental fee | 60,000 × 3 hours | ₩180,000 |
| VAT 10% | 180,000 × 0.1 | ₩18,000 |
| Total | ₩198,000 |
Example 2: one building of a standing-set studio, 30 people for 6 hours
AMETAGE STUDIO rents by building: ₩300,000 per hour for up to 25 people, ₩400,000 for 26 or more, 4-hour minimum, VAT excluded.
| Item | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | 30 people → 26-or-more tier | ₩400,000 |
| Rental fee | 400,000 × 6 hours | ₩2,400,000 |
| VAT 10% | 2,400,000 × 0.1 | ₩240,000 |
| Total | ₩2,640,000 |
If you use several buildings or rooms, check in the quote whether each one is charged separately.
Five lines to check on a quote
| Line | What to check |
|---|---|
| Base rate | Hourly rate and which crew-size tier applies |
| Booked hours | Arrival and departure times; whether the minimum applies |
| Extras | Extra people, overtime increments, other charges |
| VAT | Included or not; type of receipt (tax invoice, cash receipt, card slip) |
| Payment schedule | Deposit, balance due date, refund account |
Enter a date, hours and crew size in the booking box on any ROKE location page and it applies the same formula, VAT included. The figure is an estimate; the host's quote is final.
Example rates are as published by each place (checked November 10, 2026). VAT treatment and payment terms vary, so check the payment details on the location page and the host's quote.
