Video Production in San Francisco presents many challenges. For starters, it’s a logistical nightmare. Busy streets. Extremely limited parking. Not to mention challenging weather. To make matters worse, security has been a big concern over the last several years. Too many stories of camera’s being stolen on film sets or people being followed home to get their camera gear. In this article we’ll discuss the different kinds of security as well as the few options, whether armed or unarmed? How many guards do you need? In this article we’ll show you how to hire security for San Francisco video production.

When do you Need to Hire Security in San Francisco?

This is the question we get asked most often. When clients from out of town see this line item on a budget, we often get asked about it. Do you really need security to film in San Francisco? The answer to this question is almost always “Yes!” Anytime you are permitting a location in San Francisco or shooting with any sort of a setup, it’s almost imperative that you consider security. Not only do you want your crew to feel safe, but you want to put up your best efforts to keep your camera equipment safe. After all, cameras and lenses we shoot on are anywhere from a few thousand dollars up into the 100’s of thousands of dollars.

Do you Need Armed/Unarmed Security or Off Duty Cop?

At first this question didn’t make make much sense to us. Would an armed security guard really be able to fire a weapon? The short answer is “yes”. After talking to a security company who provided services on one of our recent sets. They are legally allowed to fire anytime someone on set has their personal safety at risk. That means if a potential robber pulls out a weapon, it’s okay. However if they do not present a weapon, the security guard must use their non lethal option. Pepper Spray or similar. This isn’t to say that an unarmed guard doesn’t carry a non lethal weapon as well, but they don’t carry a gun. However they still provide a deterrent and let potential robbers know that this production is taking safety seriously. The last option is an off duty Cop. They can carry a weapon and fire it as well. Likely the provide the biggest deterrent. But of course is subjective.

How Much Does Security Cost?

The rates vary by company, but the last time we hired security we were quoted $75/hr for unarmed guards. $100/hr for armed guards and $150/hr for off duty cops. If you are wondering how to hire security for San Francisco video production you’ve probably already thought of the costs.

How Many Guards do you Need?

Most companies have a four hour minimum and the guards need a single break during that time. This means that likely it’s smart to have to in case of anything happening during one of their breaks. Depending on the size of your set you might consider additional. Are you blocking down a street with multiple entrances to your set? Perhaps you could have a guard at each entrance? Do you need your camera or lighting vehicles watched? Sure a production assistant could do this, but likely don’t provide the same deterrent that a guard does.

Summary

Thanks for reading our article on how to hire security for San Francisco Video Production. We hope you understand how easy it is! There are many companies that offer this service and are happy to make your shoot go smoothly!

Here’s a list of Security companies providing security to film sets in SF.

Aegis, Bannerman, Gaurds to Go,

Looking for a professional San Francisco Video Production Company? We take on set safety very seriously. Contact us today to learn more.