Video Producer's Guide

A common practice throughout the television, corporate, and video production industries is booking freelance video camera crews or videographers. Producers, production companies, and networks rely on video crews to capture footage that is too far away to be captured by a staff crew. Or, they sub-contract entire shoots to the expertise of other DPs (Directors of Photography).

In the case of organizations with staff photographers and equipment, they realize significant cost savings by using local freelance video crews — eliminating travel expenses for flights, rental cars, meals, and hotel stays. A local crew can often complete the same quality work at a fraction of the total cost.

Once an organization has decided to hire a video crew, many questions remain: Where do you need video shot? What quality level is required? What crew members and gear are needed? Are you booking local or portal-to-portal? What about travel expenses, availability, work day length, and rates?

Each of our city guides above answers these questions for a specific market, with local knowledge from producers who have worked there extensively.