2009Steadi-Newbies forum
How to professionally decline client requests to borrow steadicam equipment without operator
17 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Steadicam operation is inseparable from the equipment because rigs are customized to individual operators and mastery requires years of training
- Lending gear to clients creates a negative precedent and signals that the operator's skill is irrelevant to the production
- Equipment loaned without supervision is likely to be treated carelessly and may suffer damage that becomes difficult to document or charge for
- A straightforward refusal without elaborate excuses is the professional approach; overly complex justifications undermine credibility
- Being clear about availability constraints from the start prevents awkward requests, such as specifying weekend-only availability when taking jobs
- Ownership of specialized gear represents significant personal investment and risk that producers would not accept for their own expensive assets
Depends on
- Discussion is from 2009 and may not reflect current rental and insurance practices
- Specific situation involves a beginner operator still months away from owning equipment, making some advice hypothetical
- Participants do not discuss insurance policies in detail or whether insured lending changes the decision