Studio Guide
Choosing, preparing and etiquette by purpose, written by our butlers
About Studio Guide
The Studio Guide is a collection of articles for checking how to choose and prepare for shoots, meetings, green rooms, location work and attire before using Queen's Butler The Studio. The butlers of Queen's Butler write from the perspective of those who actually open the doors, arrange the furnishings and serve in the manor.
What should you compare before choosing a studio or meeting venue?
Checklist for Choosing a Rental Studio in Odaiba
Space, hours, attended or unattended, load-in, parking, bringing food and drink, sound and cancellation, in the order to compare them before booking.
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Finding a Small Meeting Room in Odaiba
The quiet, seating, tea and attended reception a meeting of up to six requires. Choose between the Study and the Dining Room according to what will be discussed.
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Pre-wedding Photography in Odaiba
The manor and the seaside, timing, attire and a butler's touch brought together in one plan, with the switch for rainy days and what to bring.
Read moreWhich articles to read before photographing in the antique manor
Light and Composition for Beautiful Photographs in an Antique Manor
Lighting in a manor without windows, photographing the chandelier, candles, mirrors, white-gloved hands and roses, all from a distance that protects the furnishings.
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Etiquette and Sizing for Photographs in Hired Attire
How to wear the morning coat, discussing sizes in advance, how white gloves appear on camera, and the rules for leaving the manor in hired attire.
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Using the Manor as a Film or Television Location
Scouting, quotation, load-in, shooting and restoration in order, so that up to six people can proceed while protecting the manor and its furnishings.
Read morePoints of comparison, so you can choose an article by purpose
| Article | Suited to | Main points |
|---|---|---|
| Checklist for Choosing a Rental Studio in Odaiba | All purposes | Space, hours, attended, load-in, parking |
| Light and Composition for Beautiful Photographs in an Antique Manor | Portrait, product and artwork photography | Lighting, backdrops, distance from furnishings |
| Preparing a Room to Receive an Important Guest | Business meetings | Seating, reception, service, chauffeured drive |
| What a Green Room Needs Before a Performance | Green rooms | Mirror, attire, quiet, departure time |
| Using the Manor as a Film or Television Location | Film and recording | Scouting, quotation, load-in, restoration |
| Etiquette and Sizing for Photographs in Hired Attire | Attire and photography | Sizing, wearing, rules for going out |
| Finding a Small Meeting Room in Odaiba | Meetings of up to six | Quiet, seating, tea, attended reception |
| Pre-wedding Photography in Odaiba | Pre-wedding | The manor, the seaside, attire, rainy days |
What a butler looks at first are the principal guest, the luggage and the clock
Preparation is not about bringing more things, but about reducing the decisions to be made on the day. Before opening the doors, a butler asks who is the principal guest, who is photographing and who will be waiting. For a meeting, who will speak and who will receive; for a green room, who leaves first, so that six people never remain gathered in one place.
Next comes the luggage. Attire, equipment, papers, food and drink and personal belongings are separated, and we decide what is used first and what stays until the end. We do not serve meals, but you are welcome to bring your own food and drink. A butler shows you a place for it away from the antique furnishings and the equipment.
Finally we count back from the clock. Arrival, load-in, preparation, the shoot or meeting, tidying, load-out and farewell form one continuous flow. The chauffeured drive (return journeys to five locations including Tokyo Teleport Station) is included with your plan. On some days the vehicle is unavailable, so we confirm at the time of booking. The butlers able to drive are limited in number.
See how a butler supports you
For a first plan, which articles should you read, and in what order?
Decide your purpose and party
The reading order begins with your main purpose and moves from the common checks to the specific preparations.
Read the studio checklist
Compare attended or unattended, hours, load-in, parking, what you may bring, sound and cancellation, and settle the conditions you cannot compromise on.
Choose the article for your purpose
From light and composition, business meetings, green rooms, locations, attire, small meetings and pre-wedding, go to the article closest to the principal guest of the day.
Match the rooms and facilities you will use
Consider backdrops and movement across the Dining Room, the Study, the Fireplace Room, the bedroom, the Wardrobe and the corridor, and list the equipment you need.
List your belongings and the schedule
Separate attire, equipment, papers, food and drink and personal items, and set the order from arrival to load-out. Leave anything uncertain blank and ask a butler.
By purpose, the information to bring before booking
| Purpose | Decide first | Tell the butler |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait and artwork photography | Backdrop, composition, attire | Party size, equipment, where the images will appear |
| Pre-wedding | Order of manor and seaside, rainy-day plan | Attire, luggage, chauffeured drive, scope of the shoot |
| Meetings and business | Seating, start and finish | Order of arrival, service, confidential moments |
| Green room | Order of changing and departure | Attire, personal items, time of leaving for the venue |
| Film and recording | Framing, sound, scene changes | Equipment, voice work, how far a butler appears in shot |
| Location shoot | From scouting to restoration | Vehicles, items brought in, schedule, where the work will appear |
QWhich article should I read first if I am using the Studio for the first time?
Begin with the Checklist for Choosing a Rental Studio in Odaiba, which covers attended use, hours, load-in, parking and sound. Then move to the article for your main purpose, whether a shoot, a meeting or a green room, to reduce the chance of anything being overlooked.
QIf I am holding a shoot and a meeting on the same day, which article should I read?
Read the article for your principal purpose first, then the other. Before booking, we settle the time for changing scenes, where papers and equipment will go, and when a butler serves.
QIs preparation necessary for one or two people?
Even with a small party, deciding the backdrop, belongings and timing in advance makes for a calm use of the manor. Ask a butler which room suits your purpose, whether concentrating in the Study or full-length photographs in the Dining Room.
QFor a shoot with six people, does the photographer count towards the number?
Yes. The limit of six includes those photographed, the photographer and anyone assisting with attire or equipment. Writing out each role while reading the articles makes it easier to decide where people wait and where luggage goes.
QMay I consult a female butler?
Both male and female butlers are in residence. We note your preference when booking. If availability does not allow, we propose another butler suited to your purpose.
QWhich article should I read if I am bringing food and drink?
For a meeting, read the small meeting room article; for a green room, the article on green rooms before a performance, together with the terms of use. You are welcome to bring your own food and drink, but we do not serve meals. Please let us know what and how much before booking.
You may also wish to read
Read, and if in doubt, ask a butler.
Tell us your purpose and your wishes. A butler will help you sort out what to check in the manor and how to spend your time.