ShareGrid, the Company Changing the Way We Rent Gear, Just Opened in NYC

ShareGrid New York City
The peer-to-peer renting revolution is spreading.

Earlier this year, we wrote about ShareGrid, an LA-based startup that is looking to bring the process of renting filmmaking equipment into the 21st century. At the time, the company was still in a private beta, only available to a handful of filmmakers in LA. Since then, ShareGrid has expanded in that market, and now has over 2100 active users and $23 million in inventory. On October 1st, ShareGrid took the next step in its inevitable expansion, and has opened in another massive filmmaking market, New York City.

Here are a few screenshots of the gear that is already available to rent in NYC:

ShareGrid New York City Listings
ShareGrid NYC Amira Listing
ShareGrid NYC Sony FS7 Listing
In case you need a refresher on ShareGrid, it's easiest to think of it as a variation on the business model of Airbnb, except instead of housing, users are renting filmmaking gear to and from one another. What makes ShareGrid special, however, are its built-in safety mechanisms, which serve to remove most of the risk involved with renting expensive equipment to complete strangers. Not only does ShareGrid have multiple streamlined production insurance options (which we talked about in our original article), but the site also has ratings and reviews of renters and owners. If an owner doesn't feel comfortable renting to someone (or vice versa) based on their past transactions, they are not obligated to do so.

Here's the ShareGrid introductory video, which was produced entirely with equipment rented from the platform.

If you're an LA or NYC-based filmmaker, and you'd like to give ShareGrid a shot, head on over to their site and apply for an invite. No word yet on when ShareGrid will expand to other cities, but we'll keep you updated.     

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Your Comment

8 Comments

Love the concept behind this and really supports the community as a whole. Having access to the gear near us (or for travel gigs) has the potential to increase everyone's production value. Hope they open up San Diego next!

October 9, 2015 at 3:03PM

6
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Tim Ryan
Filmmaker
253

Hey Tim! While you're waiting, CameraLends.com is active in San Francisco and over 500 other cities across the country.

October 12, 2015 at 8:30AM

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Adam Derewecki
CameraLends Founder
81

I've been using the crap out of this service in LA since NFS's first article. The site still has some quirks, but overall it's amazing and the prices can't be beat.

October 9, 2015 at 5:34PM

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Benjamin Lebeau
Cinematographer, Colorist, Editor
331

Totally agree. Had my first "real" directorial shoot earlier this year (meaning everyone got paid, and it wasn't just me and friends), and ShareGrid basically made it possible for me to have all the pro gear I needed for less than $500. Would not have been possible through a rental house.

October 9, 2015 at 11:48PM

8
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No love for cameralends and kitsplit? They've both been in nyc for almost a year and are the exact same business model.

October 10, 2015 at 8:24PM, Edited October 10, 8:24PM

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Mhs
1

Along these lines is there a similar app/website for a) locations? Or another way to say it; Air BNB for locations? and b) for props like cars, clothes, appliances, typewriters, etc?

October 11, 2015 at 5:42PM

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Wish we had this in Holland, that would be amazing!
This idea will help a lot of either students or for low budget films.

Love it!

October 13, 2015 at 7:12AM

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Robin Hofstra
Editor
74

It's a good idea. I recently rented my camera to the Discovery Channel show Alaskan Bush People. I made some much needed money for my movie project but was a bit nervous about sending my camera out into the rain and the mud. It worked out fine and they took really good care of it but I still had lots of paranoia. I think if your equipment can somehow be covered under rental damage insurance then it would be okay.

October 14, 2015 at 1:36PM

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Anton Doiron
Creator/Filmmaker
1094