STUDIOS/HIRE


WHAT’S NEXT?


Mov ie 1917 was shot at Shepper ton S tudios


EQUIPMENT HIRE As lockdown hit, and production


stopped, the brakes were put on for hire companies too. Now with production tentatively getting back into gear, rental houses sending equipment out to various shoots are a link in the chain that needs stringent guidelines. Procam, along with every hire


outfit, adopted a strict list of protocols including “one point of entry and exit to our premises, a clearly marked walking route around the building, replacing door handles with foot handles in high traffic areas, increased cleaning, PPE for all employees” temperature checks and “disinfecting any equipment coming into the building, then disinfecting the equipment again when prepped for hire.” Rental houses have also had to


adapt to the type of equipment being shipped out. Social distancing on set does require a certain amount of ingenuity. “We have seen an increase in requests for PTZ cameras for fixed rig filming, as this allows the cameras to be operated and controlled from a distance,” says Procam. And there are other tricks too. “Increasing the amount of video monitors hired can help to avoid clusters of people gathering on set. Zoom conferencing


40 televisual.com Summer 2020


can also be used as a tool to help reduce the number of people needed in galleries. Having individual walkie talkies for each person on set allows clear communication between departments, without the need for close contact.” VMI md, Barry Bassett


also points to solutions like the Teradek Bolt 4K, which can deliver HD and 4K video to 5000 ft. at less than 1 millisecond of delay, which can be used to keep monitoring distanced across the set but can also be sent through the internet so “your director or client doesn’t need to be on set in order to see the pictures that are actually being output.” But, as Bassett points out, many


of these solutions will be “relatively short term workarounds.” He points to those who over-enthusiastically invested heavily in 3D in the past as a cautionary tale. “There are lots of companies out there that are extremely well equipped for PTZ equipment. We’re not going to be swimming in that specific pond” because when restrictions lift, people will want to use “regular kit, just plonk it down and shoot in the usual way. PTZ Cameras


are not as good as having having a camera with a nice, decent lens on it.” But in the meantime, says Procam,


requests for PTZ cameras for fixed rig filming


Procam


We have seen an increase in


it’s seen “an increase in request for fixed rig productions, as these typically allow filming to take place at a distance with minimal crew, it’s something we expect to see more of.” Commercials have


managed to begin shooting safely too and “we are also getting requests for filming live music without audiences, and multicamera shoots with increased gallery space. In the coming months we expect to see an increase in


demand from event industries hosting


online events and virtual launches.” But when production comes back


with a vengeance, there could be shortages “If everybody decides they’re going to reshoot at the same time to be able to deliver to their production deadlines. there may well be a shortage of equipment,” says Bassett. However, when production kicks


off properly, the hire companies will be there, says Bassett. “We’re all fully expecting to be back. When the industry is ready for us. we will be there.”


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