Camera Rentals
Camera Rentals- special effects and filmmaking
Its a long slow process, but I'm slowly trying to amas some cinematography equip. to rent out to independents. I was wondering if you guys could help me come up with pricing guidelines.
I checked out the commecial Rentals, but since I am creating this specifically for independents who can't afford their high prices, I'm out of context.
What would you consider a good rental deal?
I'm starting with a couple of Beaulieu R16s. Good sync sound camera, yet pretty small and simple. Fishpoles, shotguns, etc. Probably a portable dat/walkman (no XLR's but, hey) and hopefully building a digital editing system with a Mac and Priemere.
Other than pricing, if anyone has insurance advice, that would be very helpful.
-Anthony
I don't think the R16 is a sync sound camera. Underdahl has it in the MOS section between the Arri 16M and the Bolexs.
For the R16 w/lens I think $50/day would be a good price.
i heartily recommend charging no more than half of what other rental houses charge
same goes for the deposit. $1000 for a DV camera? damn, i could buy one for that!
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Monkey Sea Entertainment
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Moviemakers Portal (moviemaking-only search engine)
My sentiments exactly. I hated trying to rent cameras when after a few rentals I could pay for them.
All R16 have a Sync-pulse generator attachment that can be added on, but they also made a R16 "Sync" camera. The addition is a button on the side that says 24-25 (fps). It "is equipped with a special transistorized electronic regulation system which ensures improved film drive, with a degree of accuracy hitherto unknown". Wow.
Camera and lens, 50 bucks a day..hmmm 100$ for a Film weekend? Does that sound fair? I would want to include the tripod in that price too, right?
Thanks guys.
[This message has been edited by ajwatts (edited 01-18-2001).]
I've rented some 16mm equipment in the past and about all I can tell you is that there is a daily rate and a weekly rate. The weekly rate is usually 3 times the daily rate. There are also special rates for equipment that will be used for extended periods of time. Also, I believe that Panavision has a program that allows you to rent a "back up" camera at regular rates but if you don't use it then you get some of that money back. Most rental houses require you to establish credit with them or provide a cash deposit. You also have to prove that you have equipment insurance or buy the insurance from them. I rented an Arri 16BL once and we broke the zoom handle right off. The rental house did not get mad, they just fixed it and billed me for the repair ($100).
If you plan on renting equipment to people you should also plan on having a way to maintain the equipment. You might want to see what scheduled maintenance will cost you.
I would get a credit card account that cna verify, and perhaps hold a $500 deposit on a card until equipment is returned safely. At least then your own deductable is covered. After that a signed contract stating the renter is liable for damage will help.
ADOM
When setting your prices, you have to take into account all of the overhead associated with a business: licenses, advertising, storage space, small business tax (I just LOVE the way I get double taxed as a small businss!
), aquisition of equipment, maintence of equipment, cost of rental/storage facility (and utilities for it) and any staff it takes to run the business (even yourself - you need to make a buck or it becomes a charity, and if it isn't higher than what you'd make at a your last job, then why are you knocking your brains out with all the hassles of running a business?), etc.You'll want an account for VISA & Mastercard at least. Even though accepting credit cards eats into your profits a bit, it is a necessity of modern retail and rental business. Service providers can get away without it depending on the nature of their business.
All told, you'll probably find that other local rental facilities' prices aren't that far out of line. You may be able to beat their prices, but if you charge half or a fraction of their prices you'll most likely lose your shirt after a while due to the unanticipated cost of doing business. Few businesses that have any competition locally are charging outrageous markups - most people underestimate the costs of doing business.
You can keep some costs down if you stay small. If you have a staff of one (yourself) and use your home as a rental/storage facility you can cut costs while you are small. Zoning laws probably prohibit you from using your home as this type of commercial property, but you might be lucky, located on a main road, etc. Rented houses and apartments contain a clause in the lease prohibiting you from using it as a commercial property. If your home isn't in a spot that is zoned for residential and commerce, you'd have to forget about signs out front. Some people manage to run very small businesses in residential areas if the traffic to & from their house is pretty light, but if they grow they have to find a building zoned for commercial use. I've known auto mechanics who ran tiny repair garages in their backyard because all of their neighbors were cool with it and no one ratted on them, but I wouldn't suggest you risk getting in trouble. Selling supplies related to film making and cameras could help generate income to defray the costs of running an actual store.
A small business is frustratingly tough to do with all of the laws, regulations, and taxes associated with them. I've been dealing with them and trying to minimze them for decades. I'm lucky, as service provider who does business on the customer's premises I avoid some of the above headaches. Skirting the rules carries considerable risks. Having your own company (however tiny) is rewarding 
, but there are enough hoops to jump through that you'd think the powers that be want to discourage people from it. 
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Jeff F - Moderator
Magic and FX
Amazing the Masses
[This message has been edited by Jeff F (edited 02-02-2001).]
Jeff, what type of business are you per chance? as in sole proprieter, corporation, etc...
Administrator
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Propreitorship, as most entertainers are (unless they become agents and it behooves them to incorporate.)
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Jeff F - Moderator
Magic and FX
Amazing the Masses
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