How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Crane?
The use of a camera crane or other high-tech equipment doesn’t come up every day in production so most film producers do not have these types of equipment or tools just laying around the studio. In fact, it’s quite common to rent cranes and other technical equipment for film production, especially when the equipment is only needed on a rare occasion for a half-day film shoot here and there. Renting a crane is actually a big deal, and it can have a pretty big price tag, but how much does it cost to rent a crane really?
If you’re on a tight budget, renting a crane is probably something that you need to ax off your list. It’s not exactly possible on a low-budget, but that hardly means it’s impossible all together! Crane operators typically charge between $50 and $150 per hour, and then you have the price of the crane rental which can vary by the day. Expect to pay at least $3,000 for a large crane for a day.
Cranes Come at a Bargain
The truth is, while crane rental may seem like something that is rather expensive, there is a great bargain that comes in renting a crane. The use of a crane for a shoot adds a level of complexity, and interest, that simply cannot be attained without such equipment. In the end, you may find that your one-day crane rental results in shots that are so incredible that your film is to die for!
In fact, many find that renting a crane literally pays for itself in terms of return on investment when the film is released. People cannot resist those crane shots!
Crane Rental Considerations
Before you rent a crane, consider the location, the actual needs of your production, and how much lift you really must have to get the desired effects. Cranes and jibs have varied lengths that re convertible and easy to adjust. On a much lower cost, a jib provides up to 24 feet of extended camera support for a fraction of the crane rental cost. You can get a jib for about $200 a day or $600 per week — and you don’t need a licensed operator to move it and be present at all times for the production which saves you an additional $50 or more per hour.
If renting a crane or other film equipment it is important to consider the amount of time that you will have it and the cancellation policies for the rental company. Cancellation fees can and will add up if you’re not careful so make sure that you plan accordingly and are well aware of the costs that could come up should you cancel your rental without notice. Try to keep your rental days to a minimum to keep costs low. Especially if you’re renting a full camera crane at a cost of upwards of several thousand dollars per day.
Also, if using a crane it is important to consider the various other equipment needs that may come up for your shoot. Discuss the addition of lighting, sound, and related equipment in this style shoot and consider your various options for both day rate rentals and weekly rentals. You may get a better weekly rate and if you expect to need more than 2 days, a week is usually more affordable.