FAQ's
Crew Booking
Q1: How does booking a crew work?
Q3: Do I pay you or the crew directly?
Q4: Do you have crew in specific locations?
Q5: What types of payment do you accept?
Q6: Why should I book crew through Media Services?
Q7: Won’t it cost more to book through a service than if I book crew on my own?
Q8: How much lead time does Media Services need to book my crew?
Q9: How do I know that I am getting a qualified crew?
Q10: Can I book a partial crew, or even just one technician?
Q11: What kinds of camera gear configurations are available?
Q12: How can I be sure I am satisfied with your service?
Q13: Is there a way for me to see what crew and gear you have available before I book?
Q14: What do I need to provide to become a Media Services booking client?
Q15: What is the contact information and hours of business for Crew Booking?
A1
It’s simple. Just call our office or submit an online crew booking inquiry. We will take all the details on your needs, including dates, locations, crew and format preferences, and issue an estimate for the work. At any point in the process, you’re free to speak with our crew directly to get the highest assurance that they are the right team for the job. Once you sign off on our estimate and payment terms, we confirm your crew. Your crew goes to work. We issue an invoice on actuals and process all payment to crews for you.
Q2
A2
Not exactly. Crew booking is much different then payroll. We will need to issue you a separate, but still a very similar agreement to sign and return.
A3
To help simplify clients with multiple projects in multiple cities, we will handle all payment to the crews for you, as well as invoicing, and negotiating all labor and equipment costs.
A4
We have crews in over 100 countries, and all 50 states. If we don’t have one already, we can most likely find you one.
A5
American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Company Check, Bank Check, and Wire Transfer.
A6
It is the most cost and time efficient way for you to secure a qualified production team and gear most anywhere. We have crews in over 100 countries, and all 50 states; in short, we cover the world. Media Services takes care of the crew screening, project inquiry, crew assignment, billing, and quality control that would otherwise fall completely on your shoulders. We do it every day, 365 days a year, and guarantee your complete satisfaction.
A7
Not necessarily, because Media Services has a long standing relationship with crews that we use on multiple occasions. We are able to get a better rate than the “street rate” many crews charge for a one time call. If you add the cost of your time spent to find, qualify, and coordinate the crew you need on any one project, it’s likely that we are saving you money each time you book crew through us.
A8
That depends on several factors. What is the shoot location? How many crew teams do we have in that area? Do they have the gear that’s required? Are they already booked on other shoots? How are time zones involved? Do we have to “travel” a crew into a remote region? We have been able to book overseas crews within a several hour period, but that totally depends on having the right crew available for the job in a short time frame. So, the more time we have the more options we can give you.
A9
Probably the most important reason to use an agency is to have the assurance of getting a qualified crew. At Media Services, our crews average 15 years of experience and have submitted comprehensive profile information, references, and samples of work for our review. We simply will not assign any crew that does not measure up to your project.
A10
Absolutely, that is one of the hallmarks of our service and it further differentiates Media Services from other crew agencies. We will book crew from a single PA to fully equipped production teams. Your needs come first!
A11
It seems just endless these days with the proliferation of DV and HD formats. Be assured our crews are equipped with the latest camera and recording formats. Many of our crews own their own gear, and when they do not own what clients need, they have the relationships with local rental companies to secure the right gear at competitive prices.
A12
Media Services guarantees that you will be satisfied with every aspect of our service. If something goes wrong due to our error, we will make it right. Our longevity in this business and our extensive client base proves that we enforce this policy and assure our clients are completely satisfied every day on every project.
A13
Yes of course, that is one of the unique features of our service. For a 24/7/365 “macro view” of what crew positions and gear we have in locations around the world, you can enter the crew booking section Here. Simply register and check out our global crew database. When you find we have resources in the place you need to shoot, you can submit an online booking request.
A14
Call 1-888-SHOOTS1 (888-746-6871) (outside of US, dial 508-481-2212), or email Joe Maiella, VP of Sales & Global Crewing at joem@media-services.com. Every client must sign our Crew Booking Services Agreement and provide us with a certificate of insurance illustrating their commercial general liability (and naming our booking company as additional insured) and their auto coverage. While Media Services carries a comprehensive portfolio of liability and Workers’ Compensation coverage, we want to be certain that our clients carry sufficient coverage as well in the event of a crew liability that occurs on a client’s site or under the direction of a client remotely or on location.
A15
Crew Booking is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. You can call the Crew Booking toll free number at 1-888-SHOOTS1 (888-746-6871) (outside the US, dial 508-481-2212) for any questions you may have. For the 24/7 booking requests and emergency hotline you can call 508-983-4921. For general questions you can also email Crew Booking at Booking@Media-Services.com.
