THE GREEN SCENE
MORE INFORMATION: arrirental.com broadcast-services.co.uk
cameraworks.co.uk fomorentals.co.uk hireacamera.com lensesforhire.co.uk lenspimp.com morpheusrentals.com shootblue.tv vmi.tv wexphotovideo.com
availability, allowing you to reserve and order. And it’s not limited to cinema cameras, cine lenses and lights; many also stock mirrorless or DSLR bodies, action cameras, tripods, gimbals, grip, audio gear and just about everything else you might need. Several companies also provide loyalty schemes with discounts, along with flexible options for deposits, damage waivers and insurance. If you are involved in a seriously big production, firms like VMI specialise in comprehensive packages, offering every major camera format – including Red, Arri, Sony, Canon and Phantom. And they also provide lenses, lighting, grip, sound equipment and even lighting trucks, generators and catering rigs. VMI has made a 20-year effort to reduce its impact on the environment, with a commitment to being an entirely net-zero company by 2030. The company could be an important part of a sustainability drive on massive productions – and that’s great news for everyone.
“Renting is an obvious choice when you need some supplementary kit for a one-off project – perhaps if you are building up a crew to cover a large event”
Most of the time, kit comes with pre- printed return labels, zip ties for safety and a courier bag for when it’s ready to be returned. If you need equipment for longer than just a few days, many rental houses can offer deals, although some specialise in long-term projects. Perhaps the biggest revolution in renting kit has been the internet and affordable nationwide courier services, meaning you no longer need to be near a big city. If you’re based in Cornwall but your shoot is in Aberdeen, you can even have the kit sent directly to the location ready for your arrival. Big players like Hireacamera now offer websites with real-time equipment
to try out new equipment that you might be thinking of buying, there’s nothing like renting it first to get a real hands-on test rather than a few minutes in a showroom. Sometimes, renting is the only way to get your hands on something very new that’s in short supply. Rental houses are often the first to have stocks of the latest kit due to the volumes they buy. One of the biggest advantages of renting is that the equipment arrives fully checked, charged and fitted with the most up-to-date firmware – all ready to go in a protective case, complete with chargers and sometimes even memory cards and card readers. Lenses are scratch-free and can include follow focus systems if needed.
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