I want to rent out a video camera. How do I insure it, and enforce it?

[Rigamarole]

@giuseppe

Bottom line: There’s a reason why nobody is in business renting out expensive, delicate, portable equipment to the general public.

Except there are a lot of people in exactly this business. Any production that’s not being financed by a major studio (and there are plenty of them in L.A.) rents virtually all of its equipment, and it is all very expensive stuff. And every production I’ve been involved in myself has had a great, technically knowledgeable crew who knew how to treat that equipment with the necessary respect. I’m not really targetting Joe the Amateur Pornographer who wants to make a movie by himself in his basement, I’m targetting small student and independent productions. I would require that the DP come along to pick up the camera anyway to inspect and verify its condition, giving me a chance to meet him and gauge his level of experience/knowledge with the equipment.

Not only are there a myriad of rental houses such as I’ve been discussing but I have seen other individuals with the same idea advertising rental time of their personally-owned cameras. I know it’s possible. I know there’s risk involved, but I just need advice on how to make that risk as manageable as absolutely possible.

@drachillix

Oh last but not least…ever consider renting out yourself with the camera? Kinda becoming in effect a freelance cameraman. IIRC we have someone who might be able to shed a little more light on that subject.

Yes, and that is done all the time here, although they are usually looking for the camera-bearer to double as DP (cinematographer). My only hesitation is that I do not really have the advanced knowledge of lighting and related film equipment (dollies etc.) necessary to be a DP. But if I warn them of that, and they’re still O.K. with me operating the camera, I’m all for it.

[giuseppe]

@Rigamarole

Except there are a lot of people in exactly this business. Any production that’s not being financed by a major studio (and there are plenty of them in L.A.) rents virtually all of its equipment, and it is all very expensive stuff. And every production I’ve been involved in myself has had a great, technically knowledgeable crew who knew how to treat that equipment with the necessary respect. I’m not really targetting Joe the Amateur Pornographer who wants to make a movie by himself in his basement, I’m targetting small student and independent productions.

Ok, then I jumped to conclusions. However, I still think that you have a few major disadvantages compared to the professionals: First, they have enough equipment that they can afford to eat it if some is down for a while. Second, the professionals probably have a tech guy on staff who can fix problems cheaply. Last, and most important, the professionals have have paid for their education as to the pitfalls in the business.

I have my own business and I can’t begin to tell you how many thousands of dollars I have lost through different kinds of foolish mistakes. If you start renting out your camera, you will be paying dearly for an education. Which is acceptable if you are actually going into the business, but maybe not if you are just dabbling.

MOO.

[solosam]

Or you could just hire fat guy with a baseball bat.

[Dewey_Finn]

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