Camera Rentals

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.

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.

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