Deciding on a cameraman and camera crew to film your video production can throw up some unexpected results. If you google Lighting cameraman in London for instance you get a lot of listings come up.

How can you be sure that you are picking a professional camera operator with experience to insure your film goes without a hitch, and the footage looks great?

Because equipment has come down in price a lot of people can buy a HD camera and call themselves a cameraman. But this does not mean they have any experience. In fact I have worked for a number of companies that have made this mistake, and I was drafted into re-shoot the video for them. A costly mistake. So when you get a quote, if it is very low and sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. The equipment I have, of camera, lights, sound and lens costs over 40k to buy. So the rates I charge reflect this cost as well as public liability insurance i hold.

However there are a lot of cameramen who having paid off the cost of equipment are happy to do deals, and sometimes throw the kit in with the cost of the day rate. I offer standard price packages that are discounted with all my equipment bundled into the shoot. But I always like  to discuss your needs and offer competitive bespoke rates where possible.

Check some of their videos online and what broadcast credits they have. If they film for the BBC then they are required to be of a certain standard. I am hired by Television Crewing companies that are BBC Approved. Filming interviews for BBC Hardtalk and News.