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Need Kit Moved Fast? Why London Film Crews Rely on Professional Movers

On any film production set – especially one on location in London – time is money. Every second counts, and delays can be enormously expensive. This is why production schedules need to be planned so carefully, particularly when it comes to logistics.

Here, we’ll take a look at how professional movers with experience in film production logistics in London could be the ideal choice for your next project.

Why speed is critical when it comes to film production logistics

TV and film productions often run on tight call times, with location permits measured in hours. If you need to close a road, clear the area or shoot at night, every minute will be costing money.

If there’s a delayed delivery of a lighting rig, AV case or vital elements of the set, it can throw the whole schedule into chaos. This may mean paying crew and actors to wait around, as well as shelling out for new permits – or paying penalties for breaching licence terms.

And the longer a production runs for, the more it is likely to cost. You could end up paying between £2,000 and £10,000 per day, with high-end productions costing £100,000 per day or more.

This is why urgency is so important in the TV and film industry. Reshoots, overtime and other costs can mount quickly when there are delays. Planning is also important, to ensure that every last item is delivered to set, moved between locations and handled carefully – so that the production schedule runs smoothly.

Why use professional movers for your next film project?

If you’re working to tight deadlines, with lots of kit, fragile props and expensive equipment – and you can’t afford delays, damage or crew downtime – you may want to consider using professional movers.

DIY transport could be a risk and a false economy, especially when you factor in van hire, insurance and the cost of crew time diverted from filming. And then of course, there’s the risk of damage, or of delays due to a lack of experience with film production logistics in London logistics (i.e. traffic, parking, access, permits, route planning etc.)

Not just any moving company will do, however. It’s important to choose a trusted business like Kiwi Movers which specialises in kit transport for the film industry in the UK. Here are just a few of the reasons why we could be the perfect partner for your next project:

Specialist handling for valuable equipment

Film equipment is often expensive, fragile and sensitive, as well as being difficult to replace. It needs to be handled carefully to avoid damage and ensure it arrives at the next location in full working order.

Professional movers understand how to transport lighting rigs, flight cases, props and AV equipment safely, using the correct loading methods, padding, and securing techniques.

London logistics expertise

You need more than just a delivery postcode to move film kit around London quickly and efficiently. You need someone with insider local knowledge of congestion zones, ULEZ requirements, restricted streets and tight loading windows at studios and filming locations.

This expertise in film production logistics in London ensures that deliveries are carefully planned and on schedule, avoiding access issues that can disrupt even the best-planned shoots.

Fast, reliable and experienced with filming schedules

Film shoots typically run to strict call times, and late equipment can bring an entire set to a standstill. Professional movers are used to early starts, night shoots and last-minute changes. They can deliver kit quickly, while still ensuring careful handling.

This reliability gives production teams complete confidence that equipment will arrive exactly when and where it’s needed.

Support for productions of all sizes

Whether it’s a small indie shoot or a major blockbuster production, working with a film logistics expert like Kiwi Movers can provide flexible support to meet the exact needs of your project. No project is too big or small. Get in touch with our experienced team of commercial movers and logistics specialists to discuss your requirements. Message us or call 020 8877 9682.

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Storage for Film Productions: Where to Keep Gear Between Shoots

When planning logistics for a film shoot, it’s understandable to focus primarily on transport – how you’ll move equipment, props and costumes between locations. But what happens between shoots?

Storage is a crucial consideration when planning a filming project, but it’s often overlooked or organised at the very last minute.

You’ll need somewhere secure and convenient to keep equipment between shoots, where everything can be accessed exactly when you need it. This is especially important for long-running shows, adverts and independent shoots – or any production where shooting happens in stages.

Where (and where not) to keep gear between shoots

It’s not acceptable, safe or very professional to keep expensive equipment in the back of someone’s van, or in your spare bedroom – no matter how low-budget the project. Hired studios can be expensive if just used for storage, and there are safety concerns with many other temporary kit storage locations.

You need to have dedicated storage space where kit is protected, accessible and ready to move at short notice. Ideally, it should be based in London, near to your designated filming locations. The last thing you want is to factor in hours of extra transport into an already complicated production schedule.

Lighting rigs, flight cases, AV equipment, props and set pieces often aren’t needed every day – but they still represent a significant investment. Without proper storage, there’s a serious risk of damage or loss, which can then cause delays when filming resumes.

Film production storage in London – solutions for different production types Long-running TV and streaming shows

It’s really common for TV series and returning productions to film in blocks, with breaks between episodes or locations. With rolling storage already arranged, equipment, costumes and props can be kept safe and ready to use for the next block of filming.

TV ads

Commercial shoots are typically short, so you might think that storage isn’t really a requirement for these. However, it’s worth remembering that adverts often need reshoots or follow-up filming weeks later.

Having access to some dedicated storage can be hugely helpful with this, ensuring continuity between shoots and also saving money on repeated setup costs.

Indie and low-budget productions

If you’re planning a shoot as an independent film-maker, there may not be much money in the budget for a permanent place to store equipment between filming days.

The good news though is that there are plenty of flexible options for film production storage in London, where you can store by the day if you need to. This gives you access to storage when you need it, without expensive overheads or the need to sign up for a longer-term contract.

How Kiwi Movers and Kiwi Storage can help

Here at Kiwi Movers – along with our sister company Kiwi Storage – we offer a joined-up solution designed specifically for productions that need flexibility between shoot days. By combining professional film kit transport with secure local storage, we help production teams manage equipment efficiently throughout the entire shoot cycle. We’ll work closely with your logistics team, or provide our own logistics consultancy services if required.

Our experienced team here at Kiwi Movers will handle the careful collection and redelivery of film equipment, whether it’s lighting rigs, flight cases, AV gear or props.

We have extensive experience working to filming schedules, so we absolutely understand the urgency of call times and the challenges of location access – especially in a city like London.

Between shoots, your equipment will be collected and stored securely with Kiwi Storage in London-based facilities. This means it’ll be on hand and ready for delivery whenever you need it.

Storage terms are flexible, so there’s no problem if you need to make last-minute changes or scale up or down as your project evolves.

You’ll find that by using the same trusted team for both transport and storage, your project should run much more smoothly. You’ll get a reliable service, with expert handling of valuable equipment, secure storage and fast delivery. Plus, clearer accountability and smoother coordination from day one of the shoot. Get in touch with our commercial team here at Kiwi Movers to discuss your needs.

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