ACADEMY HIRING AND BUYING USED
AIN’T NOTHIN’ GOING ON BUT TO RENT Tying up your cash in fast-depreciating kit that needs servicing and updating may not be the best thing to do for shrewd filmmakers. Especially if you need some supplementary kit short term for a one-off project, or need something unusual for a specific job which is too expensive to invest in for the handful of times it might be used. If that sounds like the issues facing your business, renting is a sensible option. Websites that show real-time availability DREAM TIME If you yearn to try an Arri Ultra Prime lens, then rent one!
have revolutionised the business, as have fast, reliable couriers that mean you don’t need to be near to a rental house in a big city. Renting is also good when you want to test out new equipment that you may be thinking of buying. Instead of getting hands-on in a showroom, you can try out an anamorphic lens or high-frame-rate camera for a special shoot. Renting makes for a sensible option. Actually, a lot of rental house business is more general video items such as mirrorless or DSLR camera bodies as well as camcorders and cinema cameras at all prices. You know the kit will be serviced and ready to use, with the latest firmware and fully charged batteries. If you need kit for a longer period, deals can be done here too. And if you can charge for equipment rental to your clients on a per-job basis, then you can run your business entirely on rented equipment instead of splashing out and wearing out your own gear. Some rental houses specialise in one thing, like Arri Rental which focuses on Arri products. Others can offer you enough to make your first feature film, including lighting trucks packed full of gear. An example of this is VMI, which is also leading the way in sustainability.
can make the kit you own make money for you even when it’s not being used by your business, by renting it out to others. Or renting in kit you need from other filmmakers when required. These services exploded onto the scene, but haven’t been that popular apart from Fat Llama, which specialises in making it safer for both sides. On the one hand, a filmmaker with surplus gear can sign up to rent this out, backed by the promise that the hirer will be checked out and gear comprehensively insured. And those looking to rent through this route have the chance to get a keen price and potentially a little more in the way of flexibility. Hiring from rental specialists has its advantages, such as properly checked and calibrated kit that you know will work every time, and well-sorted delivery and return logistics. But the peer-to-peer option can be more affordable. Decide what works for you and take a fresh look at renting: it can be a great way of making your money go far.
Others offer a specialised service aimed at independent filmmakers, such as one of the UK’s top rental houses Hirecamera. The well-known and trusted rental house stocks everything from GoPro action cameras to the latest Sony FX9 full-frame cinema cameras and Reds, plus all the lenses, grip, audio kit and lighting you could possibly need. There is even a loyalty scheme offering cash off for regular renters. And there are different options for deposits, damage waivers and insurance. In recent years, there has been a move towards peer-to-peer rental options where you
CLASS GLASS Cooke’s zooms are expensive to buy, so hire them instead
MORE INFORMATION: arrirental.com broadcast-services.co.uk cameraworks.co.uk fatllama.com
hireacamera.com lensesforhire.co.uk lenspimp.com promotionhire.com shootblue.tv vmi.tv wexphotovideo.com
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