BACKUP EQUIPMENT
by Edwin J. Somers, CAS

I would like to make the argument that you should have back up equipment on your next shoot. When it comes to having equipment serviced, from a financial standpoint it makes sense to be able to avoid the rush charge, and from a repair stand point it also makes sense, because the repair technician can do a better job, if he is not working against a deadline. The equipment we regularly use in this industry is incredibly dependable. However accidents happen, and some things do wear out, like Pots, Jacks and Switches.
When I worked at Universal Studios as a Production Mixer, even on the back lot where we were only maybe 5 minutes from the Sound Shop and replacement equipment, we always had spares of everything. The reason was to eliminate down time due to equipment problems.

When I left Universal Studios and went independent I begged, borrowed, stole, and rented enough sound equipment so that I had at least one spare of everything. The reason was, even though I could blame the equipment or I could blame the Rental House, or I could blame my boom man for an equipment problem, and the producer would seem understanding and sympathetic, he would really blame me for the problem and I would not be called when he did his next project.

When I suggest backups to people they often respond that they are not getting enough rental income or salary to afford backups or spares, and I disagree with that. I am not saying that you should have 2 top of the line items in each category, I am saying that the backup could be an older or simpler item that would get you by until the primary item is repaired.

For example, your mixing panel. You don't need to have a $3,500 backup mixing panel sitting on the shelf. You can get by with an older Shure FP-32 or the like while your equipment is in the shop.

If you haven't done so already, you may want to begin accumulating a collection of backup equipment. Remember, backup equipment is not an expense; it's an investment in your business and the best and most cost-effective insurance policy you can buy.

One last point, when it comes to spares, most rental houses will deeply discount equipment that is going out as backups, when you have rented the primary equipment from them, and that includes our rental department as well.

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