Filmmakers drooling over HVX

Beat Takeshi said:
I think this would be a big mistake because students wont have the money to pay it back. Yeah they will sign all kinds of contracts but at the end of the day, unless you have the money to sue them and drag them into court you are going to probably lose on the deal if it gets broken.

I can see renting lights and grip stuff but not a camera if there is no insurance, it takes one person walking and talking on a cell phone to trip over the tripod and bring it all down.
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I understand your concerns, but I'm still curious as to what kind of wording would go into that kind of a contract. I have some contacts in the corporate video industry that might want to rent the camera (I also have an Ikegami HL-DV7AW and an old BetacamSP BVP70IS, so the HVX isn't the only thing I'd consider renting) as well. I'm not saying I'll start a rental service or anything, I'm just bluntly curious about what the contracts look like and say.

Thanks for the input!
 
Beat Takeshi said:
I think this would be a big mistake because students wont have the money to pay it back. Yeah they will sign all kinds of contracts but at the end of the day, unless you have the money to sue them and drag them into court you are going to probably lose on the deal if it gets broken.

I can see renting lights and grip stuff but not a camera if there is no insurance, it takes one person walking and talking on a cell phone to trip over the tripod and bring it all down.
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That is precisely what small claims court is for. If the defendant chooses not to show up because he/they are immature, you get a default judgement. You can then garnish income, put liens on properties, or seize assets.

I'm not saying you should do this, but if you find yourself in a position where the folks who borrowed your gear busted something and think they can hide behind the "we are poor excuse" and just walk away without taking responsibility and paying up, they'll be in for a very valueable life leason.There is a form of recourse, and you won't be left holding the bag.

The important thing is to get a signed written contract, even if the person is a good friend.
 
I recently had an editor help with something. he said "instead of paying me $150, can you lend me your hvx for a day" I paid him the check.
 
I was asked to do 2nd unit on a music vid, I should bring both of our HVXs, but insurence only covers use by myself or my partner, no others allowed, so I said no and they rentedthe second one out from a rental place...
The DP treated the cam like sh*t, putting it everywhere he liked on the mostly wet floor, sometimes tipping the cam over to the side - let´s just say I wont rent out ever...
 
bosindy said:
I recently had an editor help with something. he said "instead of paying me $150, can you lend me your hvx for a day" I paid him the check.
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lol

Spartacus said:
I was asked to do 2nd unit on a music vid, I should bring both of our HVXs, but insurence only covers use by myself or my partner, no others allowed, so I said no and they rentedthe second one out from a rental place...
The DP treated the cam like sh*t, putting it everywhere he liked on the mostly wet floor, sometimes tipping the cam over to the side - let´s just say I wont rent out ever...
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yea see that's the kind of sh*t i'm talking about right there that makes the whole thing not worth it and changes my mind whenever i consider it, lol.
 
My camera doesn't leave my house without me. Yes I have business insurance for it, but I am NOT a rental house. I've seen how rental equipment is treated.
 
I rent the gear out all the time. I don't own any camera (besides beat-up DVX100 i got 4 years ago). I know the people i'm renting from, they are getting money on their unused gear and i can tell the producers that i can get them gear for 50% less then rental places -- so we are all happy. I do the same with lights and grip stuff. Because i'm working with individuals we alway threat the gear really well.
 
I have a hardtime renting mine out, due to many people's aversions to P2 technology. I'm wary of it going somewhere without me. I've gone and operated on a few things where they had a DP and they wanted my gear, I've also gaffed a few.

I lucked out recently and have been field editing HD web content that focuses on a different presidential Candidate in each spot. They are renting my HVX and P2 cards and I come with my laptop to log footage and edit at the end of the day. I get $2000 for the one day shoot/edit (though theres usually a day of travel on each end) - luckily if the day goes over 12 hours a flat overtime fee kicks in. It's nice because everyone takes care of my stuff and I'm there.

It's been so nice, it makes me even more hesitant to let it go without me!
 
Only once was my camera ever on set without me being there to operate it. I told them I wouldn't do it unless there was an Insurance Policy covering all of my gear. They got the insurance policy, and I got paid without having to show up.
 
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