Meet The Gaffer #14: Grip Truck Rental

In this episode we explore what it is that you get when you rent a Grip Truck. What is the difference between A La Carte and Pay As Used?

[@meetthegaffer]

Brandon, I'm glad you're enjoying the channel. I've built up my gear over the last 20 years or so, but compared to a lot of other owner operators my inventory is on the small side. It all depends what kinds of jobs you want to work on and what the surrounding production environment can support. That said, anyone can own gear, but having a good personality, the ability to collaborate well, adjust quickly, and understand the business aspects of your craft are all traits that are as important, if not more important than owning gear:-)

[@gdrriley420]

can we get an update to see how its changed now that LEDs are replacing a lot of the small fixtures?

[@meetthegaffer]

Hi Rue, I have an Isuzu NPR-HD with a 13' box. That's a small truck in most markets. It fits me and the jobs I like to work on. If I need a bigger truck, I rent from one of my colleagues. There are so many factors that go into what makes sense for any individual in a given market that I couldn't begin to say what is right for you and your situation. I would start small and grow as the jobs grow. Just having a bunch of gear is no guarantee of work, although it does work for some. I prefer to bite off only what I can chew. That may be too slow for others, but I have no regrets... and as a bonus, I'm still married:-)

[@foresterwin1837]

What size and type of liftgate do you have Luke?

[@meetthegaffer]

It’s a Palfinger. Not sure the exact size. It’s aluminum and can tilt. It can fit two backstage carts side by side and has flip up wheel stops which are wonderful when you work alone. I had the liftgate cut in so that it’s not quite as wide as the box; this allows me to have the gate up and the doors open but not folded back if I need to back into a really narrow driveway and still be able to open the doors and close everything up when I’m done for security. It’s a little thing, but it works well for me:)

[@delanoforbes]

Thanks for sharing Luke ....this channel is very informative !!!!!

[@vincentzavier8109]

I like your videos so much. You are humble and I like your simplicity. God bless you

[@FullTimeOverland]

Great info. Great Videos. Good job Luke! Keep'em coming!!!

[@slideralexa02]

Hi guys, We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@IronFilmVR]

Very interesting coverage of a 2 ton truck! Would love it if you could one day cover an even smaller vehicle? Such as a transit truck, or even just a hiace van loaded up for regular gaffer use.

[@meetthegaffer]

We could definitely cover other people's trucks... thank you for the request!

[@NoahFallis]

Aside from drooling a whole lot at the efficiency of the space (and gear! and truck!), I'm just finishing up my medium sized Ford Transit for MUCH smaller productions, but it still packs a punch. Huge thanks Luke for your generosity with your knowledge. You have no idea how much us newbs appreciate it!

[@meetthegaffer]

Right on, Noah! I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. There is quite a back log of footage that I hope to get out soon. Glad you find the info helpful.

[@EarthFireEnt]

I've just recently found your channel and have been binging through your videos. If I ever shoot in the bay area I will make sure to try you first! Thanks for the videos.

[@meetthegaffer]

I look forward to it:) I’m glad you found this little corner of the internet! All the best in your work.

[@meetthegaffer]

Thank you for watching Delano! Let me know if there is something specific you would like to know more about.

[@Andrelas11]

(Previously Vienna Rocks) Wow Luke, quite an investment in that truck there, can appreciate all the effort in acquiring and organizing gear so that it is easy to track and easy for production to get things on and off. I am currently operating out of a small 1 ton trailer but trying to work my way up to the larger 2 ton grip truck package. This is great stuff.

[@meetthegaffer]

If you know how to weld, more power to you! I don’t, so I worked off the wood slats and built shelving with u-channel:)

[@slideralexa02]

Hi guys We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@hiskishow]

Can you make an episode where you talk about how much the gaffer is an artist vs a technician? How much do you influence the scenes in a movie or a documentary? What is the process of planning? does the dp give you moods and you deliver or do they tell you what to do?

[@jefffitzgerald5396]

I second this!

[@slideralexa02]

Hi guys We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@AlexLopez-iy4by]

Thank you! Very helpful video.

[@meetthegaffer]

Alex López, thank you for taking the time to watch!

[@slideralexa02]

Hi Alex, We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@MrCboggs]

great channel, ,, thanks for sharing

[@slideralexa02]

Hi Curtis, We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@ultrabounce]

neat little truck and very good use of space i gotta say

[@meetthegaffer]

:)

[@slideralexa02]

Hi, We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@grantcadwell3681]

Awesome video! I am trying to watch some of your older content, and am really enjoying it! When it comes to the "Pay as used" model, does production give you a max budget? I could just see it being really hard to be on set and not use some of these larger units, when they could probably achieve the look that you are going for more easily. Maybe that is a call that the DP makes? Would love to hear your thoughts!

[@meetthegaffer]

In a perfect world, production shares their max number with you, but that is not always the case. These days, with LED’s, I find I’m almost always giving some kind of discount to make the numbers work: partially because many people underestimate what will be needed (and the cost) and partially because I want to work with units that give the DP the most flexibility to be creative in a fast and efficient way. An old style Kino might do the job, but I’d rather dial in a Kino Flo Select Freestyle with all it’s capabilities. That choice will cost more money. I find I often need to meet a client half way until they get used to budgeting appropriately for the advantages that new units provide. That may be a gimme on larger shows, not so much in my world. Practically speaking, the pay-as-used model makes sure you have coverage for things a client may have forgotten on their list or surprises that arrive at a given location that no one foresaw. Regular clients take it for granted, but people from out of town totally dig it because they feel taken care of:)

[@grantcadwell3681]

@@meetthegaffer Thank you! This is really helpful.

[@raredreamfootage]

My favorite line: "In the back hamper there is an M18"(!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[@meetthegaffer]

:)

[@slideralexa02]

Hi guys, We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@ruedwyer8510]

What kind of truck do you have? What options, lift gate etc? And, would you recommend the same to someone looking to put together his own truck or is there something better on the market now? Keep the vids coming!

[@slideralexa02]

Hi Rue, We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@patrickouziel]

Would love to see how your truck has grown since all your LED acquisitions!

[@meetthegaffer]

Ha, ha! Yeah, it has transitioned, that’s for sure.

[@slideralexa02]

Hi Patrick, We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@buffalosabres8686]

Hey Luke, Love your videos! I'm looking to light a commercial outside at a baseball field and a player, every shot is fairly tight so I will need at least 3 12x12'x to bounce light around. I was thinking ultra bounce. how does this sound to you?

[@meetthegaffer]

+Buffalo Sabres, Ultra bounces good be good because then you can flip them if you need negative. Hard to know without seeing boards:-)

[@buffalosabres8686]

Thanks Luke I'll see if I can make a video for you to have you judge our setup! We are hiring A grip so we will see how it ends up!

[@bradbragg09]

Hi Luke, Regarding the pay-as-used model, how do you know if the lights were used if you rented the truck out and you weren't on the shoot? Are you reliant on the Best Boy giving you the honest list of what was used? I'm curious of the logistics here.

[@meetthegaffer]

Yes, I only send my gear out with people I trust. Mostly the gear goes out with me. If you have a larger inventory and multiple trucks it's probably better to bill for exactly what goes out with the crew.

[@slideralexa02]

Hi Brad We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@meetthegaffer]

Hi Hiski, You ask some good questions and rather than give you a quick answer here, I'll try to take it on in a future episode. Meanwhile, you might want to check out this interview with a top gaffer in Hollywood: www.aintitcool.com/node/71354

[@bencondell2304]

Hi Luke really loving all your videos. Did you decide to get a truck to overall increase your chances of getting jobs as a gaffer or make a bit of extra money with rental etc? I'm thinking of buying a Mercedes Sprinter van to kit out with a small package for small corporate shoots and try boost my overall chances of landing jobs as I'd be a sort of one stop shop with a small grip/lighting package and I can dp/gaff. Is this a good idea/worth the risk of investment? Any advice on this would be appreciated. Loving the videos!

[@meetthegaffer]

Hi Ben, It totally depends what market you are in, who else is already making gear available, and what your business community can support/is willing to pay for. In some markets it’s a no brainer. Right now, the one man band approach looks like the immediate way forward, but dropping coin on equipment is always a risk, so it’s good to think through best and worst case scenarios. In another vein, it’s nice to be a one stop shop for gear, but it can limit the people who are available to work for you if there are lighting people who own their own gear already, just sayin’. We all own gear so that we can do everything in a pinch, but it’s worth considering how you plan to move forward because once you get on the gear train it can pull you to more and more purchases and before you know it you’re dealing more with gear than camera creativity. It’s just something to consider. That said, you’ll plateau in terms of labor rate pretty soon, so often equipment ownership/rental is the best way to keep your per day rate going up. Lots of decisions!

[@bencondell2304]

@@meetthegaffer Thanks Luke. I'll be sure to consider all that before making any big business moves. Really appreciate that. Thanks!

[@slideralexa02]

Hi Ben, We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@JacobAlan615]

Hey Luke I know its a old video but which model cart is it that you are using for the kinos thanks!

[@meetthegaffer]

It is a cart from Backstage in LAand it is from their reduced size series, built for Sprinters and originally the Japanese market:) I modified mine with an extra tray on the side to carry an Imara, and now a Celeb 850 instead. They will mod it out however you like.

[@slideralexa02]

Hi Jacob, We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@rickynyhoff]

Hi Luke, Thanks so much for this channel. So great to peer into this world. Could you tell me how much a truck like this one would cost to rent for a day? Just the basic Grip truck, minus the cost of the lights. Also, is it common for companies to charge for expendables? Or is that cost factored into the day rate?

[@meetthegaffer]

Ranhoff, currently the truck rents for $300/day + .85/mile + lights which are pay as used. This means you get most of the pre-loaded grip as part of the $300 base price and then you only pay for the lights that you use. The prices for lights and specialty grip items are on my web site. Hope that helps!

[@rickynyhoff]

Thank you for the information. It helps me to get an idea of the market in the US. I'm from the states, but currently based in Hong Kong. We don't have the space for big trucks like these in the city, so typically we have to send the rental house our list, hire a truck and driver to transport the gear, then call the drive back when the day is over. I am starting to take jobs that need me to travel back to the states for shoots, so your info really helps me understand how to plan. Thanks again.

[@meetthegaffer]

Ranhoff, however, as noted in the video, not everyone handles their rental on the pay-as-used model, so it might take some digging to find. In the SF Bay Area there are a few of us, but I can't speak for other cities. Most often you have to provide a detailed list! All the best.

[@rickynyhoff]

Thanks Luke.

[@SoundSpeeding]

@@meetthegaffer damn that sounds cheap! A deal indeed

[@mikeod344]

Hi Luke, great stuff here. I was wondering how much a package like this goes for? Before the lights are added does it fluctuate per project or do you have set prices? Thanks, Mike REPLY

[@meetthegaffer]

Hi Mike, you can find the basics on my website: seerveld.com, but basically it rents for $300/day + .85 mile for truck/grip and the lights are pay as used. Since I did this video the basic package has changed to be mostly LEDs and HMIs and hardly any pre-loaded tungsten. I should update the video! Also, I only send it out with myself or someone I know and trust, not just anyone:)

[@mikeod344]

Hi Luke, I appreciate the quick response. Very nice website, easy to read and I enjoyed the Grip Poetry! Do you not like the tungstens anymore or are you seeing a decline in the clients request for them because of new technology? Also, I see some rental houses give deals for weekend rentals, how do you do that? Is it just still day rates no matter the day(s)? Thanks, Mike

[@meetthegaffer]

Hi Mike, The poetry was written about twenty years ago, but it still seems to be relevant:) Even though I really like the quality of tungsten light, having access to lights that draw a fraction of the amperage, are Kelvin tunable, run cool, don’t need frequent bulb changes, have a built in dimmer and DMX, and may even be WiFi and RGB capable means tungsten units play a lesser role in most set ups I work on. I work on lower budget projects from time to time, usually for people who hire me for regular work as well... but not always:) I don’t have enough equipment to rent stuff out for special rates on weekends, I just go on a per project basis. I provide stuff for friends when they need, and I’m happy to consult or point people to vendors that may be a better fit... it’s all part of the deal:)

[@slideralexa02]

Hi Mike, We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@foresterwin1837]

Howdy! Did you build that c stand / 2 apple family / s30 cart? If so have any pointers?

[@meetthegaffer]

Yes, I did. It’s a bit heavy. In that video it may still have 10” pneumatic wheels, but I swapped those out for 8” hard rubber tires with beefier top bearings. The pneumatics are better for rougher terrain, but b/c most of my work is corporate it works out. Re construction, I thought the bolts would loosen over time and need to be monitored and retightened regularly, but they have stayed tight. It’s just regular u-channel. That and a chop saw and away you go. In a perfect world I would have it reproduced by a welder. Every time I make a move in that direction I get busy and put it off... It does not have a brake, so that would be nice to add.

[@foresterwin1837]

@@meetthegaffer awesome stuff!

[@slideralexa02]

Hi Forest, We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@rudestrudedog]

Are the yellow cases pelican? If so, what number are they? They look cool!

[@meetthegaffer]

It’s an i2720 Stormcase, which is a brand now under the Pelican umbrella, but still a little different.

[@slideralexa02]

Hi, We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@jefffitzgerald5396]

What model cart is that flag/taco cart? I like that all the slots are sized for half crates instead of full crates but I haven’t seen any like that from backstage or studio carts on their websites. Was this a custom request?

[@meetthegaffer]

Custom request! I also asked for a shelf all along the back side to hold the 42”x42” flags and frames. I came from a 1-ton van, so my fixed frames are 42X.

[@jefffitzgerald5396]

@@meetthegaffer Very cool! Did you sell the van for the truck or do you own both and rent them both out?

[@jefffitzgerald5396]

@@meetthegaffer Also....I see a lot of grip trucks with stands mounted on the doors like you have. What are logistical advantages of doing hings this way as opposed to a dedicated cart for the stands? Is it just a matter of maximizing floor space on the truck?

[@meetthegaffer]

I sold the van. Just wanted one vehicle. I sometimes wish I had a small vehicle, but...

[@meetthegaffer]

Totally. More carts, less room. Most of those stands can fit on the rack on one end of the backstage carts. That way you don’t need to push another cart to set. I’m often working with one other person, but often just myself, so I try to minimize carts if possible.

[@CoffeewithCrew]

Hey man, im just wondering in your area a truck like this with the same equipment would cost to rent out for future reference? 🙂🎬

[@meetthegaffer]

$300-350 for truck and included grip. The lights are pay as used. Some charge for mileage and fuel, some just mileage. Because I only have the one truck, I only send it out with myself or a gaffer/grip I know well. Sometimes people want to rent it with their own crew and no one I know... I feel bad, but I turn them on to someone else. I don’t have a shop and shop workers to put things back together when people who don’t know the truck repack it:) And I get a lot of last minute calls for work, so it nice to know the truck is there ready to go if I need it. If I didn’t have enough work, I’m sure I would consider changing that policy:) Hope that helps!

[@TheTechnoPilot]

@@meetthegaffer wow I'm honestly surprised at that cheap of rate, I thought $300 for the truck alone was low, let alone to include yourself. I'm not at all saying that you are under charging for the market, it just at times amazes me how low the market rate is for certain things.

[@meetthegaffer]

TheTechnoPilot, my day rate is not included in the $300-350 number for the truck. The truck + grip is more or less a gateway drug to lighting rental which is additional as units are used. At the moment, the going rate for a competent gaffer in SF is $700/10hrs. Hope that clears things up:)

[@TheTechnoPilot]

@@meetthegaffer hahaha okay good! I was wondering there especially as someone who's spent some time in the Bay and know the price of things!

[@slideralexa02]

Hi, We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@mathewcoulliette2233]

Hi Luke, I like your channel! I have a question: Do you know what a "Taco Cart" is and how did it get that name? Thanks.

[@meetthegaffer]

A taco cart is a cart filled with equipment, usually grip equipment, but not necessarily, that has a lot of the things you’ll need for any set-up: c-stands, apple boxes, sand bags, and often milk crates with Expendables or smaller items like tape, grip chain, extra grip heads, Cardellini clamps, crush tips, a few wedges, and C-47’s. I just figured the name came from the fact that there was a lot to choose from like you might find at a street vendor’s taco cart (food truck). Maybe someone else has a better explanation.

[@mathewcoulliette2233]

@@meetthegaffer Thanks for getting back to me. I had a conversation with someone on a discord channel and he basically said the same thing. I think I want to become a gaffer and build out a grip and electric truck, but I don't see myself ever owning a "Taco Cart". I would rather have separate carts for each item. Like a C-Stand cart, muscle Cart, apple box cart, [(4) families of apple boxes], etc. I do have another question though. I don't know how to store and transport flags. I know I need 3 sizes: 18x24, 2'x3', & 4x4. Some people use a bag for each size. Should I have a flag Cart? Thanks

[@meetthegaffer]

You can get baskets for the smaller flags and add 4x4’s to the back of a taco cart… or build out a cart just for 4x4’s. Usually people start out small and grow. When you are working out of a smaller vehicle you don’t have room for single-purpose carts and need to combine what they hold.

[@mathewcoulliette2233]

@@meetthegaffer You have been very helpful; thanks for your time. I will give the idea of a taco cart some more thought, and consider what I might include or exclude from it.

[@meetthegaffer]

Working on other trucks for a few years gives you an opportunity to figure out where your own preferences lie.

[@anime2121]

Wow, this is expensive. How did you get to this level?

[@meetthegaffer]

I built it up over time. First I had a small Toyota pick up with a camper shell, then I bought a used 1-ton van that I built out with shelves and worked for 18 years, and then finally transitioned to a small 2-ton with a liftgate. If you look back at it, I progressed much more slowly then most owner-operator gaffers do in terms of purchasing vehicles and gear. The upside is that even though my gear collection is quite small, I feel like it’s manageable and hasn’t taken over my life in terms of space, time, and energy... or needing a warehouse and employees. It fits my life and limited skill set:)

[@slideralexa02]

Hi Hisu, We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@rcrvideo7283]

Can you list the names of the carts?

[@meetthegaffer]

Hi RCR Video Marketing Group, the two black carts are modified mini-Backstage carts and the green cart with C-stands is one I made from scratch myself:-)

[@rcrvideo7283]

Thanks! A "How To" on the C-Stand cart could be a hit! ;P

[@meetthegaffer]

Were you thinking of something more involved than episode #4?

[@rcrvideo7283]

I meant an How To make the C-Stand cart. Would love to see how you made the cart and if it's something we could mimic.

[@meetthegaffer]

Ah, got it. I may do one on carts down to road. Thank you for the suggestion!

[@GiuseppeFlandoli]

I love your videos, im a huge fan but i think vlogin while driving is a bit dangerous and irresponsible. Be safe.

[@GiuseppeFlandoli]

still get a like though =)

[@meetthegaffer]

+Giuseppe, Ha, Ha! Thank you for looking out for my safety:-)

[@slideralexa02]

Hi Giusseppe We are a new crew from Ecuador, please We need your opinions about our videos. Thanks 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨