The Producer Report: Camera hire
Football’s Next Star there. “Rent sent us to different With tape being phased out, producers will turn
departments providing advice on storing file rushes to hire shops even more while hire firms recognise the
and examples of workflow. It was important to feel need for employees to have strong client facing skills.
that their chain of command was involved.” “Tapeless requires us to be more interactive with a
On Sight can also route productions – or source client, to demonstrate where they can save time and
expertise – from its hire outfit Axis Films, HD post money,” says ProMotion’s Martin. “We have to
and edit systems department and an HD Lab for accept that showcasing the benefits of technology
everything from on-set look creation to prepping and actively engaging in a production’s needs are
dailies through to QC and delivery. a huge part of our business.”
TUTORIALS AND WORKSHOPS HEAVY INVESTMENTS
“Most rental firms have the same kit and prices so In common with the rest of the facilities sector, hire
to add value we run tutorials and workshops and and sales outfits must make heavy capital
help transition operators from tape,” says expenditure on new technology and regularly
ProMotion co-founder Duncan Martin. “Whereas refresh their stock. Doing so means sounding out
cameras are broadly operated the same way, what market needs and keeping abreast of product
you do with media has changed. Junior members roadmaps. Compelling arguments from competing
of the production are often tasked with data vendors means the decision is never easy.
management – a responsible job that requires
training to ensure sequences are logged correctly, Showcasing the benefits of technology and
copies are transferred and backed-up.” Talkback
actively engaging in a production’s needs are
Thames’ Great British Railway Journeys and
Ricochet’s Trawler Towns (both shot on XDCAM
a huge part of our business
EX) took this approach. Duncan Martin, co-founder, ProMotion
At VMI, producers are encouraged to attend a
camera test day with a technician who ensures the “It’s very difficult and generally involves some
production’s computers are pre-loaded with the dark magic and informed guess-work,” observes
right codecs and plug-ins. “We can demonstrate VMI’s Bassett. IBC and NAB are essential scouting
the workflow there and then,” says Bassett. VMI
“
missions combined with internet and trade
”
presents courses on XDCAM workflow, Digital publication resources. “We appraise equipment by
Imaging Technicians and budget cinematography. field testing and make our buying decisions based
“It all helps to ensure best practice of data security on all of that.”
and an appreciation of workflow options without Rent hopes to attract producers working with
a hard sell,” says Bassett. “Although courses help limited budgets with recent additions of EX3 and
client buy-in to using new technology, there’s no EX1Rs with Canon HJ and Carl Zeiss primes and
point switching over for its own sake.” accessories such as NanoFlash data recorders.
Visual Impact also employs specialist IT Procam’s acquisition policy is primarily client-
personnel to work closely with its camera driven but it also invests in ancillary kit like grips
technicians. “We also offer user training on all and audio equipment. For Visual Impact, when
aspects of the kit plus regular product/technology and what to buy is a delicate balance between
updates to our customers over 121 annual sessions market trends and customer demands with
and open days,” says sales director Tim Sparrock. decisions ultimately made on rental viability.
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Best of 2009 – One day event in 2010
Winter 2010 theproducer 33
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