The Producer Report: Camera hire
post. We needed training for our teams and to be everyone is working together.” Lion TV tasked
able to test the complete system before entering Extreme Facilities with developing mini-cams
some very challenging environments.” capable of recording at G-force speeds on the rides
and contestants at Thorpe Park for Scream If You
CHANGING TEAMS Know The Answer, while Castle Air provided gyro-
Traditional camera assistants who might load and stabilised cameras for the aerial shots in Lion’s
unload kit are being replaced by media technicians Britain From Above (pictured above).
responsible for all the logging, kit and advice on As the transition from tape to file proceeds, a
technical issues – and hire companies can source wider range of productions including ob-doc and
them for clients. “The days of sending out boxes fact ent shows are seeking the extra-curricular
with little support is fast coming to an end,” suggests services of hire companies.
Procam’s client relations manager Andrew Black “Technology is moving so quickly that even
Visual Impact offers on-location technicians who cameramen can find it hard to keep up,” notes
recommend types of media, storage options, workflow Caroline Bingham, business development director
procedures, “and most importantly how to achieve the at The Farm Group’s hire division Rent. “If we’re
smooth and cost effective integration of production not able to advise clients on the most cost effective
and post,” says sales director Tim Sparrock. process we’ll lose them.”
Producers place stringent demands on hire Familiarity with file-based production varies
firms they work with. Lion TV managing director widely. Accordingly, the most important stage “is
Shahana Meer requires them to be to chat early on to find out what the programme
“knowledgeable about new kit and whether it will deliverables are and what the production team’s
work for your situation.” They should also be technical knowledge is, and then step back to work
“adaptable, reactive and competitively priced and out the best camera and workflow,” says Tom
the project needs to be important to them so that Higham, marketing manager, On Sight.
Winter 2010 theproducer 31
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