Hiring a New York Camera Crew
Thinking of Hiring a New York Camera Crew? Whether you’ve worked on video production before or it’s a new process for you, working with a camera crew in New York that has both the skill and preparation for any high-stress environment that could be a part of your video production makes a difference in the outcome of your project.
In film production, there are often opportunities for mistakes when hiring a camera crew and unfortunately, any mistake during this phase will result in a project that could suffer. To help you have a successful New York production project, we’ve put together a list of tips that will make it easy for you to make the right choices when hiring a New York camera crew for your job.
Get a quick quote now!
Get Several Recent References
Anyone can come up with a reference in New York, from Queens to Brooklyn, but you’ll find that when a camera crew has several reliable references, it’s going to make it easy for you to believe in them. Before you make the decision to hire a crew, make sure to check their previous work and don’t settle for less than three references that are relatively recent.
RECENT is important as references from a decade ago won’t give you the peace of mind that you need concerning their talent TODAY. Their experience may be outdated, so make sure these references are not from the distant past before you consider hiring a New York camera crew.
Work With A Local Crew
Why not hire a crew that is local? There are plenty of options in New York, basically anywhere you look. From Harlem to SoHo, there are options and this way, you’re able to speak with local companies that have worked with the crews in the city and you’ll be able to have an understanding of what is needed for New York culture, zoning, and more.
Working with a local New York camera crew helps you have the local insights that make a difference, from local transportation to terrain and so much more. A local camera crew can help you figure out the permit side of things, from Williamsburg to Midtown Manhattan, so you can always have a smooth and successful project when you take your time in hiring a New York camera crew.
Remember, You Will Get Your Money’s Worth
A New York crew that charges pennies may appear appealing to your pocket but when it comes down to quality, it’s just not there. It won’t happen. In video production, the rule of thumb is that you get what you pay for. Sometimes, you can get quality work for a more accessible price when hiring freelancers, but for the most part, you’re bound to get a lot of stress and little results when working with low-budget companies. Set a fair budget and get the quality production you want. Yes, it’s an investment when it comes to hiring a New York camera crew. But, it will always be worth it!
It’s a good time to also make sure you’re working with the right crew members to ensure the project is finished on time. An understaffed project is going to be a challenge and will probably result in low-budget results.
Get Estimates in Writing
In a city like New York, word of mouth or a “you have my word” isn’t much good. You will want to make sure you have estimates in writing, which is what you’ll need if it comes to proving you have a contract (according to the requirements in contract law). You will need to get estimates in writing that clearly define the crew you’ll be hiring, as well as the rates for the hours you’ll be hiring, and union details, depending on the location you will be filming at. Sometimes, location circumstances (such as near Empire State Building, etc.) will dictate if you need a unionized shoot.
Recruit the DP First
Before you decide on anyone for your crew, find the right DP. Always. If you find the best DP for your New York based project, then the rest will fall into place. They will play a huge part in your project being a success, so take care with who you choose for the job. They’ll more than likely have suggestions on who to hire for your crew. This will in turn make it so much easier when hiring a New York camera crew.
Ask for Suggestions
If you’ve already hired a DP or you need someone for your camera crew, ask about recommendations for who you should hire to fill different positions like a 1stAC or a sound guy. They may have preferences on who they like to work with and a team that works well together is everything for a local New York video project. You can ask the crew members you trust for recommendations on who else could fill in the empty spots. This way, you’ll be putting together a team that can ensure success for your New York project, whether you’re filming in the warm summers or the cold, snowy winters. A team you can trust is worth taking your time putting together.
Need help hiring a New York camera crew that can produce your next big project? Give Beverly Boy Productions a call today at 646-448-8787! We have a talented crew ready to film in over 300 places around the world. Wherever you may be, or whatever you may need for your project, you can always trust our team at Beverly Boy Productions!