The London kit-hire industry is experiencing a sudden increase in work due to the Iraq war, with several companies seeing a rise in orders, writes Sam Espensen.
Mark Sloper of The 400 Company in Shepherd's Bush told Broadcasthe has two full kits in the Middle East with the BBC and NBC. It looks like the broadcasters are to extend their hire from six weeks to 12. He added that there's also been more spending by news programmes such as Newsnight, which are hiring two camera crews instead of the usual one for reports, as increased public interest is leading to higher production values.
VMI in NW2 has seen an increase in orders for laptop editing equipment and Beta SX. MD Barry Bassett commented that despite his personal politics, "if you don't look after your clients someone else will". And at Video Europe in Wandsworth, manager Steve Smith has seen a rise in dry hire, especially NTSC equipment.
However he admitted he's "fortunate that our business is so diverse", as other work is dropping off. And other hire outfits have suffered as a result of the conflict: Bill Morrey at The Cruet Company (also in Wandsworth) revealed: "It's the reverse for us. We supply much more specialised kit than the news boys are interested in. We also find our corporate clients are less likely to shoot when things are uncertain."
At The 400 Company Sloper normally has at least one corporate shoot daily, but that has also slacked off: "Companies are focusing attentions elsewhere. So far there's been a balance between an increase in work and a loss of work, but there's a rumour that no one's making programmes, which seems to be true," he said.
The effect of the war on production has not been felt yet, but kit-hire specialists are reporting ripples. Mark Puffett, hire manager of Aimimage in NW1, revealed that some clients are delaying paying their bills as they are waiting for money from broadcasters, which in turn are loath to greenlight commissions until the true price of the war is known.
Managing director of W1's Gearhouse Eamonn Dowdall said it was "inevitable that as more money is put into the war it will affect spend. But broadcasters should wise up to the fact that the world needs a balanced spread of programming. Viewers may switch off if the amount of war coverage stays the same."
No comments yet