Renting my gear to my boss?

T

teayce

Well-known member
Hello all.

I have just been hired as a full-time creative director for an agency in my city - Boise, Idaho. Part of my job is to produce short training and marketing videos.
This agency doesn't have their own gear yet and they want to use mine for a few months until they purchase their own.

That equipment includes...

Panasonic DVX100B - 24p 3CCD Camera
Sachtler DV6SB Tripod
Arri/Chimera Lighting
Rode Boom Mic
IndieDolly w/Straight and Curved Track
EZFX 7-Foot Jib
Redrock M2 35mm Adapter w/Nikon Primes
Redrock Follow Focus
Petroff 2-Stage Mattebox
Misc. Reflectors, Grip Gear, Cabling and Electrics

I may also need to use my own editing gear which is a Mac G5 Dual 2.7 Ghz w/Final Cut Pro and 23" Cinema Display.

So, my question is this - what would be a reasonable amount to charge as a monthly rate to use all of the equipment (which would be simpler than renting each piece) with and without the editing gear? In my area, there really is no rental alternative without going out-of-state. I'm not looking to make money off the agency, I just want to cover the wear and tear.

Thanks for any help.

- troy
 
I would find the nearest rental place and get a quote for the same stuff, then base your price from that and either lower or raise it depending on what you feel is right.
 
I think its fine to cut them a deal...but consider the idea that there is a very good chance they will try to low ball you. So, keep that in mind when you make your "rental request". Because they are probably not going to want to give you what the true rate is on the street. You might want to print out 3 rates, take the lowest and start there.

Also, keep in mind, if you agree to something, you better be happy with it and feel that its fair. Because, as a full time employee, as long as they own you, in essence, they own your equipment. It might take them months, or NEVER to pony up the dough for their own gear.

I just want you to not get screwed. Keep us posted. I'm interested in seeing how this pans out.

rick
 
How much use will they get out of it each month? if we're talking shooting everyday with the majority of your gear, anything under $1000 wouldn't do it for me. Double that, and we're talking.

What about if something breaks while on a shoot? what if you break it, but it's on a shoot for them? who's paying for it then?

I'd be sure to make up a hell of a contract that includes EVERYTHING you could think of that could possibly go wrong. That's a lot of gear, and money invested, to just go and let someone use it for little to no profit.


Let's just break it down simply real quick at LOW prices:

Panasonic DVX100B - 24p 3CCD Camera $75 day
Sachtler DV6SB Tripod $40
Arri/Chimera Lighting $75
Rode Boom Mic $20
IndieDolly w/Straight and Curved Track $60
EZFX 7-Foot Jib $60
Redrock M2 35mm Adapter w/Nikon Primes $60
Redrock Follow Focus $20
Petroff 2-Stage Mattebox $30
Misc. Reflectors, Grip Gear, Cabling and Electrics $30

TOTAL = $470 day


Without getting into specifics about the day rates I wrote up (which admittedly could be way off), and lets say the rental place gave you a deal for the whole package at $300 day.

$500 week is more than reasonable... actually unheard of.

just my .02
 
ugafan said:
haha. dang, i'm cheap! :beer:
Click to expand...

Don't sell yourself too short, ya cheap bastard!:cheesy:

Naw... if we were just talking about a dvx and a few other small items, I'd also rent out for what you recommended. I'd do $500 a month for a DVX, wireless lav, and an onboard light if it were for a company I worked for, or a friend (typical run and gun interview setup)... BUT, he's got a lot of nice gear (enough to single handedly put on a nice little production), and that's where you have to start making something back on your hard spent cash, in my opinion.


I'm also interested on how this turns out, though, so keep us updated on what you guys figure out.
 
And you're insured?

Will other people be using your gear without you there?
 
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