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The shop's read

Field Notes.

Gear, technique, spotlights on the local scene, and what's happening at the shop. Written by the crew, the gaffers, and the producers who run the days. No ghostwritten SEO sludge.

5 MIN

How to Hire Crew You've Never Met Before

Hiring crew you've never worked with before doesn't have to be stressful. You just need to know what to look for, what to ask, and what to pay attention to when the answers come back. Here's how to do it with confidence.

7 MIN

Gimbal, Tripod, or Handheld? How to Choose the Right Camera Support for Your Shot

Camera support might not be the most glamorous part of production planning, but it's one of the decisions that shapes how your final video actually feels — maybe more than any other single gear choice you'll make.

7 MIN

What to Expect on Your First Day Renting Gear

Here's everything you need to know before your first pickup so you can walk in feeling confident and walk out ready to shoot.

6 MIN

Where Do You Find Great Crew? (Hint: We Know a Place)

Finding quality crew and reliable gear on demand is one of the most consistently tricky parts of producing video content especially if you're newer to the industry, working in a market you don't know well, or just scaling up faster than your rolodex can keep up with. The good news? There's a better way to do it.

6 MIN

Crewing When You Need It

Let's be honest — when most people think about a film or video shoot, they picture a camera and maybe someone yelling "action." But behind every great piece of content is a whole squad of talented, slightly sleep-deprived humans who each have a very specific (and very important) job to do. If you've ever looked at a call sheet and thought "what on earth is a best boy electric?" — don't worry, you're in good company. Here's a friendly introduction to the core crew roles that make any production actually happen.

5 MIN

What Makes Shooting in the Mountain West Different (And How to Plan for It)

Shooting in the Mountain West isn't like shooting anywhere else. The landscape is breathtaking from red rock canyons, alpine meadows, salt flats that stretch forever and clients often come to us wanting to take full advantage of it. What they don't always anticipate is just how differently a production has to be planned and executed here compared to a shoot in a major metro market on either coast. This region rewards preparation. It also punishes the teams that show up without it.

4 MIN

The Difference Between a 1-Ton and 3-Ton Package (And How to Know Which One You Need)

If you've ever gotten a quote for a grip and lighting package and seen "1-ton" or "3-ton" listed without much explanation, you're not alone. It's one of the more common questions we get from producers and clients who are putting together a budget for the first time. Here's what it actually means and how to figure out which one your job needs.

4 MIN

Looking for a Camera? The Canon C400 Is in Our Gear Room

The Canon C400 has been around for a while. Now it's making the rounds out of our gear room. We added it to the shelf because we kept getting asked about it. After running it on a few jobs, we understood why. Here's the breakdown of what it is, what it does well, and who should be renting it.

5 MIN

Looking for Lighting? The Aputure Storm Series Is in Our Gear Room

Rent the STORM 1200X, STORM 700X, STORM 400X today! All three are on the shelf right now. Here's what they actually do and when to reach for each one.

5 min

How to Light a Music Video Indoors: 5 Looks to Try (and Where to Shoot Them in SLC)

Not every music video needs a warehouse and a fog machine. Whether you're going for stylized drama or stripped-down intimacy, lighting is the key to elevating your visuals.

5 min

How to Prep for a Shoot: A Producer's Checklist

Even the most cinematic vision will fall apart if the logistics aren't dialed. Whether you're filming a branded interview, a short narrative, or a music video, prepping for a studio shoot takes more than just booking the space.

5 min

How to Get a Film Permit in Utah (and When You Actually Need One)

Utah is known for being a film-friendly state, with a wide range of locations and relatively streamlined permitting processes.

4 min

Salt Lake City's Hidden Filming Gems (Besides the Mountains)

Utah's mountains are a well-known backdrop for film and commercial projects — and for good reason. The Wasatch Range offers striking visuals that rival locations in Colorado and the Pacific Northwest.

4 min

If You Missed It: On-Set Workflows for DIT, Data Management & Video Assist Workshop

The session was a deep dive into three of the most critical (and often misunderstood) roles on a modern film or TV set: the DIT, the Data Manager, and Video Assist.

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