ROUND TABLE
REAL VALUE IS ADDED BY backing up the equipment WITH YEARS OF INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE” Our team has a wealth of experience that clients can tap into, effectively extending their internal resources and capability. DH: Service, flexibility and expertise. It’s not just about having the equipment and renting it out; real value is added by backing up that equipment with years of industry knowledge and experience. Facilitating the creative vision of our customers entails a whole host of competencies that go far beyond just loading flight cases into a truck. We need to be intuitive, responsive, supportive and dependable, because production plans can change very quickly. We need to know how filmmakers think and how they use the equipment on set. At ARRI Rental we add value through custom solutions and exclusive products like our digital and analogue 65 mm cameras, as well as our affiliation with the ARRI brand. DEF: Sustainability is an increasingly hot topic – for productions and also across the whole supply chain. How is your business responding to that? JA: We’ve made sustainability a core part of how we operate - from investing in reusable packaging to running a centralised logistics model that reduces transport miles and emissions. We’re also extending the usable life of gear through rigorous maintenance, ensuring equipment stays in circulation for longer and out of landfills. More broadly,
advice, not just inventory. Whether it’s help building bespoke camera packages, solving compatibility issues or supporting on-location deliveries, we see ourselves as an extension of the crew themselves, not just a supplier. JB: The real value lies in the service experience. Productions want partners who are proactive, knowledgeable and invested in helping them succeed. That might mean sourcing a specific item at the eleventh hour, assisting with tech recces or offering expert support on set. We also make a point of getting involved early on in the process. That way, we can help teams spec the right kit from the start and avoid costly surprises down the line. It’s about being present, engaged and solution-focused. What really sets a rental company apart is the high quality of kit we supply, paired with the human element of being responsive, thoughtful and dependable when it matters most. We aim to be a creative ally, not just a supplier. When you’re solving problems behind the scenes and helping things run smoothly; that’s what builds genuine trust and long-term partnerships. JC: In a word: collaboration. Beyond simply providing gear, the real value production support providers bring today is collaboration and problem- solving. Our goal at Universal Production Services is to act as an extension of the production team. We work closely with
crew early on in the process to right- size equipment packages, streamline logistics and anticipate challenges. We’re not just dropping off gear – we’re helping productions think ahead, stay efficient and deliver quality under pressure. BB: This is all about relationships. While camera equipment is fundamentally ubiquitous, service is not, and neither is the strength of equipment specialisation of individual companies. VMI specialises in documentaries and scripted drama/ features, while others specialise in multi-camera or unscripted productions. Working with companies who can offer great support, together with a wide range of equipment, experience and personnel, and who are able to fully customise equipment packages to suit individual production teams, is a huge bonus to the crew and gives great confidence to production. Backups are another massive positive for rental companies. Where a private owner will invest in a single camera and a lens, the rental company will usually stock multiples of each and have a backup on the shelf which can be easily replaced in the event of equipment failure. Drama productions can cost up to £60,000 per hour, so any downtime can be incredibly expensive and producers need to factor this in. DE: While the variety of equipment that rental companies can offer is significant, our biggest asset is in-house expertise.
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DEFINITIONMAGS
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