Prentis Black Box
Located at 632 W 125th Street, 2nd Floor, the Prentis Film Studio is a flexible and accessible blackbox lighting space used for Film Program classes and productions. Prentis Studio can ONLY be reserved the Connect2 booking software.
KEY CHECKOUT RULES
- Your reservation period must include the time you plan for both setting up and removing your set and properties from the studio.
- Prentis Studio follows the same reservation periods as the Equipment Room.
- You may check out the keys for Prentis from the Production Center one day prior to the start of your reservation dates.
- You must return the keys to the Production Center one day after the end of your reservation dates, no later than 3pm. Otherwise, you will be charged a late fee.
- The fee for losing the key is $300, the cost of changing the lock.
PRENTIS POLICY AND ETIQUETTE
No smoking. Smoking in any University building or fewer than 20 feet from any University building is against University Policy and NYC law. For more on the University’s smoking policy, please visit: http://policylibrary.columbia.edu/university-smoking-policy.
All Prentis shoots must be attended by an enrolled Columbia student, preferably the director and/or producer of the project/exercise.
You are allowed to film in the studio ONLY, marked on the map above as “Film Soundstage”. Filming and storage of any equipment related to your shoot is prohibited anywhere outside of the above designated areas. This includes the halls or other areas of the building.
Trash disposal
Do not leave any trash in the halls or the studio. If you need to discard large pieces of garbage that you can not fit in garbage bags, such as lumber, flats, pipes, tubes, etc., you must arrange removal of these items yourself. All garbage should be deposited in the dumpster on the first floor of the building. If it doesn’t fit in the dumpster, it is your responsibility to arrange removal of these items yourself. Everything must be disposed of properly. Waste from arts materials such as clas, glazes, dyes, inks, stains, paints (latex, oil based and aerosols), thinners/solvents, oils, contaminated rags and brushes, must be collected and disposed of in the appropriate waste collection containers located throughout Prentis. Columbia university has a “NO DRAIN DISPOSAL” policy and unauthorized dumping/disposal of waste or unwanted chemicals is strictly forbidden by University policy, as well as federal , state, and local regulations. If the Film Department is charged for cleaning up a mess that you’ve made, you will be charged in turn. Nothing should ever be left on the loading dock itself. The freight elevator is used by the building and must remain clear.
Hazardous materials
No turpentine, spray paint, or fixative is permitted in the studio or Holding Area. Gasoline, kerosene, and lighter fluids should never be used nor stored in the studio. Equipment powered by such chemicals is strictly prohibited
Fire
Open flames, candles, or incense are not permitted under any circumstances.
Security
Do not leave the studio unlocked and unattended for any reason whatsoever. Always lock the studio doors when cast and crew are not inside. While the room has a lock on it, you should not consider it to be secure, because more than one student can possess a key at one time.
Identification
The building has 24 hour security and without an ID you will not be granted access. Have your Columbia ID with you at all the times. Don’t give your ID to anyone else. You are solely responsible for unauthorized people gaining access with your ID.
Neighbors
Be respectful to our neighbors in the building. Don’t wander the halls and please keep the halls clean. You will be charged for any damage made to any installation inside the building, walls, art or otherwise. However, it is the damage to the reputation of the Film Division and its students that is difficult to place a value on, so please try not to cause any disturbance outside the studio space. All students have a right to make their art in their assigned studio spaces, including yourself. It is a good idea to meet your neighbors within the building and discuss anything involved in your shoot that may be percieved as a nuisance to them in their studio(s). This goes a long way to making both your shoot go smoothly and their studio time go smoothly.
Freight elevator
Always keep the entrance to the freight elevator clear. Please do not leave discarded production items in the elevator or around its entrance. Remember to return the elevator to the ground floor when you aren’t using it, so that others may locate and use it when needed.