PRODUCTION ROOM: MANBROS PRODUCTIONS (KIT HIRE)

Due to budget restrictions, we aren't able to rent out the Canon C100. However, I asked Victoria is she could allow me to try and find a way to get the camera for the production as I felt it was best for me to shoot on and it would benefit the production more. From Creative Skillset I found A Director of Photography will also be in charge of choosing the equipment used for the production and work closely with the Producer to ensure the choice of kit fits within their allotted budget.
(Information gained from: http://creativeskillset.org/creative_industries/film/job_roles/759_director_of_photography)

I contacted a few rental houses to see if there was a cheaper option than what I found from Fatlama.com but unfortunately nothing was cheaper than around £100 per day which we don't have the budget for. I tried contacting the Film Production course at UCA Farnham to see if we were able to borrow one from their technical store but I had no luck here either. I've met DOP's and film makers such as Farren Blackburn, Lee Thomas, George Burt and Sam Creamer who all go to certain kit hire houses but also who borrow kit from friends and companies. Sam Creamer borrows UCA kit as he's also a Graduate Technical Assistant and has a good relationship with the course. Lee has often borrowed lighting from friends and Lighting Directors that he's worked with before and George Burt has a friend who he borrows an Arri Alexa Mini from. DOP's having good relationships isn't unheard off in fact I would argue it's expected with the job as well.

I year or so ago I worked with a Creative Director called Ben Mann who has his own production company 'Mann Bros Productions'. Ben and I worked on a short film a while ago and have kept in contact since. I've spoken to Ben previously about filming and asked some advice myself on getting work so contacted him to discuss whether or not we could arrange a kit hire with his company.

After some discussions with Ben I arranged that we could borrow a Canon C100. We spoke a few times and arranged a deal which wouldn't effect our budget, more of a favour on my half which will come back up later but he explained that we're welcome to use the camera for all our shoots as long as enough time is given. A contact was also written up for this deal which I signed and handed back over to Victoria.