film, video equipment & facilities hires

Hire FAQ

Terms and Conditions of Hire can be downloaded here (pdf).

Where is Open Channel located?

We are located at Victoria Harbour, Shed 4 North Wharf Road, Docklands. Our Melways Reference is 2E 7D. Map and transport guide

What hours/days is Open Channel open?

We are open 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, except for public holidays.

If you are running late for hire pickups or short courses, please phone to let us know to expect you!

Please allow for peak hour and City centre traffic in your equipment return plans.

What are the standard definitions for Facilities hire?

    * Day: 24 hours of continuous hire.
    * Weekend: 4pm Friday to 9am Monday.
    * Week: 7 days.

Weekend courses may use equipment and facilities beginning 4pm Friday afternoon. For this reason, some equipment and rooms at Open Channel are reserved for these classes.

Can I make a Facilities Hire Booking and cancel it later?

We are happy to make tentative bookings but they must be confirmed within 48 business hours of the booking required. If someone else requires the gear or suite or studio, you have right of first refusal (and the booking is then considered confirmed). Facilities will make every effort to contact you through the details left with us. If you cannot be contacted, the booking is then offered to those wishing to hire.

Do I need identification to hire gear?

Our insurance policy requires we carry out a 100 Point ID Check before any equipment can be hired. This ID check is carried out once and doesn't need to be repeated until a change of address occurs on your part. On making bookings you will be asked if you have completed ID. We are not covered by insurance if ID is not completed so your understanding is requested if your hire cannot go ahead due to lack of ID.

Qualifying ID must be undamaged (broken or incomplete/old drivers licences etc do NOT qualify), and at least one document/pass/licence must have your current address on it. Household bills are often useful for this. In general, 4 pieces of legitimate ID are sufficient.

How do I pay for hire of equipment and facilities?

In addition to cash, we accept Internet transfer (please enquire for our account/BSB details), cheque, most credit cards.

Can I pass on hired equipment to other people?

Our Facilities Hire Agreement is with the person making the booking, not with third parties. The ID check must relate to the person responsible for the bookings. Any damage, losses, late returns etc relating to the equipment are the responsibility of the person that makes the booking.

If you have more than one person likely to contact us for bookings, please advise us to avoid confusion. We now have a corporate membership rate (allowing up to 5 people to be members) and have systems to address other circumstances.

What if I return hired gear late?

The contact for the booking must ensure the equipment is returned by the time/date indicated on the Hire Contract. Please take a moment to read the terms and conditions on the reverse side of the Hire Agreement, as they contain important information that may affect your hire.

Hire and checking of equipment takes substantial time on the part of Equipment and Facilities staff, and we take this very seriously. Adequate time is always allowed by staff to check equipment before the next booking. Late returns often impact on the next booking and can attract a cancellation fee. Please be considerate of your peers and return on time.

Can someone else pickup/return my hired equipment?

Yes, but they will need to provide identification as above and they must return gear on time. If gear is returned late, you as the hirer will have a late return fee. The person making the booking must outline the terms and responsibilities of the hire to whoever takes the equipment. As the person making the booking, you are responsible for all the equipment whilst away from Open Channel. If damage occurs when the equipment is in the care of your pickup/return crew member, you can both be held responsible.

What is the policy on damaged/lost equipment?

Part of our conditions of hire is that everyone takes adequate care to keep it safe and secure. Equipment is at increased risk whilst left in cars, so please take extra care in this regard. If you damage occurs or a problem arises, please call Open Channel on (03) 8610 9300 - many problems can be resolved with staff help; outside of Office Hours, please ring the number above and leave a message on voicemail. All equipment is checked prior to despatch and any problems noted. If equipment is faulty on return, you are held responsible.

Bear in mind that equipment can be damaged in transit, and it is up to the Equipment and Facilities staff members to determine liability. At all times we try to be fair in this. Even gear that is not used during a hire can be damaged. For this reason we strongly recommend that the person hiring the gear checks it before leaving Open Channel, to their satisfaction.

You must advise if any of the following is likely:

    * any damage or loss occurs
    * you cannot return equipment on time
    * you will be out of communication for any sizable period of time (a day)
    * you wish to take the equipment interstate or internationally
    * you are taking any of the equipment into dangerous locations

If damage does occur, you must not attempt repairs without the permission of the Equipment and Facilities Manager. You might be held responsible for any costs incurred by repairing the damage yourself or by a third party.

Normally, if damage occurs, you are liable for the first $1000 of repairs (unless damage is due to negligence or wilful damage occurs, in which case you may be liable for all costs incurred). Please note: this also applies to any crew you may hire in your production.

It is strongly recommended you take out separate insurance if you are on extended hire, or taking the equipment into country or higher risk areas: this can cover the $1000 excess if damage or loss occurs.
Insurance does not cover gross negligence or wilful damage.

What tape formats can you copy to/from?

    * miniDV
    * DVCam
    * DVCPro 25
    * VHS
    * Betacam SP

How can I make an equipment or facilities booking with Open Channel?

Call (03) 8610 9300 or email hires@openchannel.org.au. Our staff can help you with any equipment or facilities advice.

Can I return hired equipment on Saturday?

Open Channel is not open for the weekend. Weekend hire rates of field production equipment have been discounted (hires are calculated at 1.5 days hire rates for hires that pick up late Friday and return first thing Monday morning). In the case of Long Weekends, we discount further. Please enquire for these reduced hire costs.

What tape formats can I use to edit from?

All edit suites can directly import from Mini DV tapes. If you wish to import material in HDV format please let us know when you make your booking so that we can ensure we have the correct equipment available.

Betacam SP, DV Cam, DVC Pro 25 and VHS format tapes can be digitised to Final Cut Pro by special arrangement.

Where is the most up-to-date information regarding rates?

Our rates page has the most up to date information. If in doubt, or if there is disagreement regarding rates, course dates etc, this is the best source of information. Otherwise, ask any staff member to clarify. We're here to assist you.

Can I hire a tripod by itself?

Normally tripods are hired out as part of a camera kit. If a kit is not hired by Friday midday, the tripods are offered up for hire separately. If a camera is being used as a deck, the tripods are available for hire. Please ask Facilities with regard to availability.

We always strongly recommend that compatibility between our equipment and other gear is checked.