Frequently asked questions
What the Media Lab is, who can use it and what it costs – answered honestly. Where something isn't settled, we say so instead of quoting a figure that won't hold.
Access & scope
Who is the Media Lab for?
The SIB Media Lab is part of Startup Incubator Berlin, the entrepreneurship center of HWR Berlin: professional media production for startups in the SIB ecosystem and for HWR Berlin projects. What the rooms and the gear are made for is set out in detail under Who it's for – from startups and founders through research and teaching to events and your own formats.
Can I produce here as an external?
We deliberately don't answer that with a blanket yes or no. The lab's scope is geared to the SIB ecosystem and HWR Berlin, and the terms depend among other things on your affiliation. Whether your project fits is something we sort out individually – describe it briefly via the format request. For equipment loans the case is clear: there is a published tariff that applies explicitly to external users.
Do I need to know how to film or edit?
No. We brief you on the equipment beforehand, and on request we accompany the recording, shoot or stream. You don't have to be a pro – what matters is that you know what you want to tell. We'll work through the rest together.
Do you produce for me, or do I produce myself?
Both are possible – it's settled in the briefing. That's where we decide which rooms, which equipment and how much support make sense. In post-production you can do the work yourself or work with support – depending on how much you want to learn and take on yourself.
What's possible
What can I produce here?
Five formats: Live & Streaming, Video & Content, Podcast & Audio, Photography and Mobile & On Location – from a pitch video through a podcast series to a hybrid demo day. All five in detail: Services.
Where does production happen?
In four places: a video studio with green screen, multi-camera, control desk and lighting rig; a sound-isolated podcast studio with several microphone positions and multitrack recording; portable gear to borrow; and a dedicated edit suite. The spaces can be used on their own or together; which one fits depends on what you're producing – we set the room up for your format beforehand. Overview: Studios & Gear.
Can I just edit, without a studio?
Yes. The edit suite is a dedicated workstation for editing and colour grading – for focused finishing, independent of studio bookings. It has an iMac, two Mac Minis, a Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve Mini Panel and a Speed Editor; software-wise DaVinci Resolve 21 Studio and the Adobe Creative Suite.
Can you shoot off site too?
Yes. There is portable camera, sound and lighting gear for that – including a DJI Avata drone, GoPro and Insta360. How far we travel isn't settled as a blanket rule: tell us the location and we'll sort it out. More: Mobile Setups.
Costs
What does a production cost?
Terms are arranged individually and on request, depending on the project, its scope and your affiliation. We deliberately don't quote a flat rate here – a portrait session and a hybrid live production are simply too different. Describe your project and we'll tell you what's possible.
What does it cost to borrow equipment?
Unlike production, lending is publicly priced. We are a public university institution – our lending prices are simple, published, and the same for everyone external. The tariff is per day:
Which class applies to a given item is shown on the item itself in the equipment catalogue. On top of that come three rules that make lending cheaper than the tariff first suggests:
- Days 1–3 full, from day 4 half. The effective rental days are min(days, 3) + (extra days × 0.5). A week costs far less than seven full days.
- A weekend counts as one day. Fri–Mon – pick up Friday, return Monday – is billed as a single rental day per item.
- Handling once per booking, not per item: €20 up to 5 items, €40 from 6 items. The flat fee covers check-out, cleaning and check-in.
Example: one class L camera over a weekend (Fri–Mon) = €50 + €20 handling = €70. The full calculation rule, including the formula, is on the public tariff page So rechnen wir (in German).
Do I have to pay a deposit?
No, there is no cash deposit. Instead of a deposit we sign a short liability agreement at hand-over: you are liable for the equipment while it is with you – up to the replacement value of the item concerned, in so far as you are responsible for the damage. Normal signs of use do not count as damage.
Do I need insurance?
Only for high-value items: for items with a replacement value from €5,000 we ask you for proof of suitable insurance before hand-over – for example equipment or liability insurance. For most of the catalogue this doesn't come up; we'll tell you at the request stage whether it affects your project.
Borrowing equipment
Can I take equipment with me?
Yes. Portable camera, sound and lighting gear can be borrowed. You can see what's available in the equipment catalogue.
How do I borrow?
Not self-service – self-service lending has moved. Come to the media team at the desk or send a request; the team hands the item out and books it. Start here: Equipment loan.
What applies when I return it?
You return the equipment by the agreed return date at the latest – complete, cleaned and with all accessories. If it runs late, we may continue to charge the daily rates. We check the condition together beforehand.
How it works & scheduling
How does a production work?
In five steps: request, briefing, production, editing & post-production, delivery. What happens at each step is set out in detail under How it works.
How do I ask – is a request already a booking?
An email or the request form is enough. Briefly describe the format, the occasion and a rough timeframe. We get back to you and clarify whether the lab has the right setup for your project – so a request is the start of the conversation, not yet a firm booking.
How much lead time do I need?
The earlier you ask, the easier it is to plan – especially for live productions and dates with several people involved. Short-notice requests are welcome too; we'll let you know directly whether it works.
How do I arrange to come by?
We prefer to arrange in-person appointments by email in advance – that way someone is there who can show you the studios.
Rights & agreements
Can I bring my own logos, slides or music?
Yes, bring your own content – and make sure you hold the necessary rights.
What applies to recordings involving other people?
For recordings involving people you'll need their consent – we'll help you remember it.
Do I have to sign anything?
There is a usage agreement for the labs, workshops and media studios of the entrepreneurship center; only the complete German contract text, which you receive as a PDF after submitting, is legally binding. If an equipment loan is involved, you additionally sign the liability agreement at hand-over.
Contact
How do I reach you?
By email at media@startup-incubator.berlin or directly via the request form. The lab is based at CIC Berlin, Lohmühlenstraße 65, 12435 Berlin. All the ways to reach us and the team: Contact and About.
My question isn't here – what now?
Write to us anyway. If you're unsure what fits, that's exactly the right moment for a short email – we'll sort out the essentials together, no detours.
Still a question?
Tell us what you have in mind – we sort out format, studio and tech.
Request a format →