Production Equipment – The Building Blocks Of Film Production

Any time that you have a production in progress, it means that you’re going to need production equipment. This can mean everything from a simple light for the camera, to a veritable host of equipment to support the scale of your production, including cranes, lifts, boxes, and dollies that are used to get the specific type of shot needed. There are many companies that specialize in renting out or selling this type of equipment. A clear idea of what you need, in addition to the proper funds, is essential in attaining this desired equipment.

Before getting started on production, it’s best to have a list of all equipment needed. It would also be best to rent everything needed all at once. Generally, the more equipment you look to rent, the better the deal you’ll get. A rental company will be more likely to cut a deal if enough equipment is rented to film a feature-length movie with all kinds of special effects, rather than if you just want one light to attach to the camera for nighttime shots. Creating a list of production equipment first, then looking for places from which to rent will prove most efficient.

If you live in a place like Hollywood, there will be plenty of production equipment rental stores to choose from. If your choices are limited however, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get the shot you want. Learn to improvise. The philosopher Plato once quipped that “necessity is the mother of invention,” and that’s certainly true in the film industry. Get whatever equipment you can and then build on that foundation. But be sure to put safety first. The last thing you want is to destroy an important piece of equipment because it wasn’t secured correctly.

If you’re looking for a more permanent solution rather than a production equipment rental, consider looking into buying certain products that you know will be used again and again. While one can certainly find new items for purchase, you may also want to consider buying used equipment. In many cases, if it’s in great condition, it’ll be far less expensive than springing for the latest version.