Simon Schama’s Power of Art , Picasso – TV Production services in Paris Simon Schama on the making of and the story of Picasso’s Guernica
We provided local production services for the BBC
It’s true. In fact, our brains are so big, we all look like walking bobble heads.
Just kidding. Most of our heads are a pretty normal size. However, they’re absolutely jam packed with loads and loads of knowledge and experience of the production industry, and we love to share all of it with our clients.
When a client chooses to collaborate with us, we know that they’re putting a lot of trust in our ability to look after their project properly. To us, that’s a really big deal.
So, it’s only right that we do the best dang job of looking after that project the world’s ever seen. That means being there, every step of the way, with bells on. No matter what.
We actually work a bit like Batman. Just send us a signal, and we’ll come to the rescue.
We know production projects can get pretty pricey. That’s why we’ve made sure our services won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
That doesn’t mean we’ll cut corners, though. Just because you’re not spending a fortune, doesn’t mean our help should be any less quality. That’s not how we roll.
We’re pretty good at shrinking things. Costs, timescales, stress, and most importantly, the negative effects your project could have on the planet.
By providing stellar solutions no matter where your project’s set, we can combat your need to ferry crew all over the place and zap your carbon emissions with our imaginary shrink rays.
Okay, okay. We’ve made that word up. But, you get the jist. ACrew4U’s the name, massive, instant scalability is the game *wink*.
Your project deserves to reach its full potential, and it’s our mission to help you achieve that. Well, one of our missions. We’ve got quite a few.
As you can see – when it comes to production support – we really are quite the superheroes. A huge part of that’s about going above and beyond what’s satisfactory. So, we don’t just provide a bucket load of high-grade help and leave it at that.
It’s our job to make sure you enjoy the whole experience. Creating epic stuff is supposed to be fun, after all. So, just leave it to us to look after the niggly bits. That way, you’ll have loads more time to relish in all of the excitement. Wahoo.
Say hello to ACrew4U’s Creative & Publishing Smartie, me, Sanusha Shamdutt!
Superpowers: Finding excuses to buy anything online all the time!
“I’m the new Multimedia Content Writer/Corporate Journalist at ACrew4U.
Writing and books are in my DNA. If I’m not writing or editing, then I’m publishing. Everyone has a story to be told and shared and nothing gives me greater pleasure than seeing the sparkle in someone’s eye after I’ve worked with them to deliver their blog/article/book baby into the big wide world.”
Fun Q&A:
Are you a dog or a cat person?
I love both! Even though I’m utterly petrified of big dogs!
Top 10 favourite movies?
Pretty Woman, All the Marvel movies, Love Actually, The Notebook, Police Academy, Re/Member, Midnight Runners, Dirty Dancing, Red Dawn (both the original and the remake!), The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants.
What’s the saddest movie scene you’ve watched?
Iron Man dying in Avengers End Game. Sniff!
What’s your favourite series?
All of Us are Dead, Strong Woman Bong Soon Do, Voice, Hawaii Five O, etc.
What food is delicious but a pain to eat?
Pomegranates
What’s the funniest joke you know by heart?
Funnily, I don’t know of any! People tend to say I’m not funny.
If you were given a thousand acres of land that you didn’t need to pay taxes on but couldn’t sell, what would you do with it?
I’d turn it into an off-the-grid sustainable farm and sanctuary for animals that are rescued from factory farms and animal testing facilities.
What wine grape closely matches your personality?
I’m not a wine person, but a wine grape that matches my personality is Carmenere hands down!
If your life were to be narrated, who would you want as the narrator?
Kelly Clarkson, she can turn it into a song!
How do you know that you’re getting old?
Your knees and backstarts to ache, and you discover your grey hairs.
Secret talent that nobody else knows?
If I told you, I’d have to kill you!
Favourite band/artist?
BTS, Seventeen, Taylor Swift, Little Mix
Top bucket list travel destination?
Asia, hands down!
Henloo there i wurk az pooch assistant! i like chasin’ rabbit
Say hello to our operations, Superman and junior project manager Brian Smithdorf!
Superpower: Finding excuses to buy chips and chocolates.
“I’m a Junior Projects Manager. I assist clients with sales quotes, doing admin on confirmed jobs, and invoicing.”
Fun Q&A:
Are you a dog or a cat person?
Dog!
Apple or Android?
Definitely Apple! Android who?
How many cups of tea/coffee do you drink on average per day?
2/3 cups max.
Guilty habits?
Chocolates any day!
Dream car?
T-Cross
Favourite superhero?
It’s obviously the God of thunder, Thor!
Favourite food?
Sea Food/Pizza.
Secret talent that nobody else knows?
Being able to remember things.
Top 10 favourite movies?
John Wick 1, 2, 3 & 4, Avengers, Fast & Furious, Insidious, Hachiko: A Dog’s Story… That’s all, I guess!
How do you know that you’re getting old?
Getting up twice at night to use the toilet, LOL!
Favourite band/artist?
Linkin Park
Favourite sport?
Soccer! Manchester United GGMU supporter in the house!
Top bucket list travel destination?
It has to Germany.
Here at ACREW4U our operations superheroes work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure that everything runs smoothly. And, without them the rest of us would just be a bunch of headless chickens running around.
Let’s meet the our first superhero, or should I say superheroine, “The Wonder Woman of Operations, Sarah Cove!”
Superpowers: “I’ve been with the company for close to 6 years covering everything from budgets and bookings to client relations and production.
“I aim to provide our clients with a friendly human experience tailored to their individual needs, as well as being a listening ear when they need someone to talk to or share war stories with.”
Fun Q&A:
Are you a dog or a cat person?
Dog, paws down!
Top 10 favourite movies?
Human Traffic, Wolf of Wall Street, Requiem for a Dream, Anchorman, The Shawshank Redemption, Trainspotting, Pitch Perfect, Mean Girls, Where the Heart is (a bit out there I know, but it’s about someone having a baby in Walmart and living in the store which sounds bizarre, but it really holds up!), Matilda (I haven’t
watched it in years, but I was obsessed with it as a kid and I can still recite more or less every line).
What’s the saddest movie scene you’ve watched?
Not really a sad one, but I always cry at the end of Pitch Perfect 1, 2 & 3 – don’t judge… They put on such a nice show, it’s very heart-warming… My mates rip me every time for it!
What’s your favourite series?
Anything trashy…
What food is delicious but a pain to eat?
Nachos
What’s the funniest joke you know by heart?
Two aerials meet o a rooftop and fall in love and decide to get married. The wedding was pretty boring, but the reception was amazing.
If you were given a thousand acres of land that you didn’t need to pay taxes on but couldn’t sell, what would you do with it?
A meth lab a la Breaking Bad immediately springs to mind when I think of a lot of land with no taxes, but seeing as that’s illegal, maybe a vineyard…
What wine grape closely matches your personality?
Definitely Zinfandel!
If your life was to be narrated, who would you want as the narrator?
Patrick Stewart
How do you know that you’re getting old?
When you get up to go get something and immediately forget what you were looking for.
Secret talent that nobody else knows?
It wouldn’t be a secret if I told you!
Favourite band/artist?
Fleetwood Mac
Top bucket list travel destination?
Japan
Meet our award winning financial manager, Lara Manton!
“I am a financial smartie who helps businesses with their bookkeeping and improving processes by delivering an A.C.E service.”
Fun Q&A:
Are you a dog or a cat person?
Dog! I have a Coton De Tulear.
Top 10 favourite movies?
Dead Poet’s Society, Dr Zhivago – which, fun fact! I’m named after, The Last Castle, The Godfather, V for Vendetta, Rocketman, Slumdog Millionaire, The Kings Speech, Good Night & Good Luck, Goldeneye
What’s the saddest movie scene you’ve watched?
Bambi’s mum
What’s your favourite series?
Sports Night
What food is delicious but a pain to eat?
Pomegranate
What’s the funniest joke you know by heart?
I’m a numbers person, funny isn’t my forte.
If you were given a thousand acres of land that you didn’t need to pay taxes on but couldn’t sell, what would you do with it?
Build my own golf course!
What wine grape closely matches your personality?
Cabernet Sauvignon
If your life were to be narrated, who would you want as the narrator?
Anne Hathaway
How do you know that you’re getting old?
When everything creaks in the morning.
Secret talent that nobody else knows?
I nearly did my international cricket scoring exams. Multi-coloured pens & everything.
Favourite band/artist?
Josh Groban
Top bucket list travel destination?
Tokyo
Our team at ACrew4U is a mixture of cultures, nationalities, and talents. Individually, we all bring our own strengths, knowledge, and most importantly, our experiences to the table. However, together, we bring to you a service that guarantees excellent results, kindness, a listening ear, and an attitude that promises to always put the client and their needs first.
So, without further ado, let’s meet the “meet the brains behind this whole operation, our friendly founder, Bill Mountain.”
Superpowers: I can make cats’ meow by pointing at them and looking them in the eye, honest!
“I’m the founder and Production Manager of ACrew4U. I set the firm up twenty years ago when I was a lot younger and living in Paris.
In the past, everything was done by me, but now I have a great team to work with who are much better at all the stuff I used to do than I was. So, now I am mainly involved with systems, marketing, and our database as well as dealing with special projects like Top Chef back in 2022, when we did all the production services for a whole season.”
Fun Q&A:
Are you a dog or a cat person?
Officially a dog person, though my next-door neighbour’s cat regularly pops in for some free food, and he seems friendly enough!
Apple or Android?
Android, it’s the same as Apple and it’s cheaper, which is useful for me given my knack for breaking at least one phone a year.
How many cups of tea/coffee do you drink on average per day?
Maybe 2/3 cups max. I “kidnapped” the Nespresso machine from the old office, which gets me going every morning.
Guilty habits?
Bordeaux Wine!
Dream car?
Aston Martin Rapide or Porsche 911, nothing too flashy
Favourite superhero?
Larry David isn’t a superhero.
Favourite food?
I love me a good Beef Bourguignon.
Secret talent that nobody else knows?
I’m actually a pretty good dancer but haven’t shown my moves for many years.
Top 10 favourite movies?
Embarrassingly, I don’t really watch films very much, so these are old ones mostly…
Anchorman, So I Married an Axe Murderer, Austin Powers, Sleeper, The Shining, Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind, Mortdecai (probably one of the stupidest films ever which makes it so brilliant), James Bond Films (with Roger Moore like Moonraker), The Hangover … I am not what you call a sophisticated film viewer.
How do you know that you’re getting old?
Grey hairs!
Favourite band/artist?
Steely Dan
Favourite sport?
I like running a lap of Wimbledon common.
Top bucket list travel destination?
I’ve traveled a lot, but I’ve never been to Jersey. It’s so close, and I’ve always wanted to visit.
Since 2003
Our Graphic Design team are purpose driven and know how to ask the right questions.
What are you asking the reader to do? What impression will they be left with, and will it resonate? What will set this piece apart from the competition? Does it reflect the price point? Is this piece consistent with the brand guidelines and ethos?
Beautiful design is the easy bit. Our designers create exceptional graphic design that work hard for your business.
Since 2003
Our Real Estate Videographers and Photographers capture the best of your real estate in an engaging manner whether you are targeting investors, buyers or tenants. Be the premises domestic or commercial, anywhere in the world.
Showcase your portfolio and assets to show the best of Houses, Apartments, Commercial buildings and Offices. In one city or many!
Since 2003
Drone Videographers capture stunning aerial video and images for a fraction of the costs of helicopter hire.
We film in Ultra-HD 4K video using the latest drone technology. Our drones will deliver smooth fluid shots and adhere to safety rules and regulations.
It is always worth contacting us as soon as possible if you are interested in using drones as it can take some time to get permits in order due to increasing regulations regarding flight patterns.
Our drone videographers can also capture scintillating Indoor Aerial Photography by flying drones indoors in warehouses, studios and office atriums.
Contact us by phone or email to discuss your drone videography needs.
Since 2003
We have the best Corporate Videographers internationally. We have been providing professional videography production services to international businesses and big brands such as Virgin, Google and Microsoft among others. We work to help you engage your target audience and shoot your –
Since 2003
Capture sports and fitness content with the highest standards of production. Our crew have shot sports events and sports related material for broadcast and content / commercials.
We have worked for major brands across factual, corporate and branded content genres and shot footballers, racing drivers, tennis players and many more all across the world. Please get in touch with us about your requirements.
Since 2003
Podcast production is simple with our down-the-line tech. Overseen and edited by a pro audio producer, it’s easy as A.B.C to sound as good as the BBC.
We can help create sound tracks for your films be it via acquiring or creating audio elements using audio production techniques and tools.
Since 2003
Perfect for Exhibitions, corporate events, festivals, and more. We can capture footage today and create pre event promo video, to entice delegates for future events.
Book the very best
Maybe you need an extra or a more complex role filling. Our local producers can plug into a proven network of casting resources locally and involve you remotely in casting sessions if needed. All so you can find the faces that fit your story.
Since 2003
Infographics and Graphic Design help make otherwise dry data fast and easy to follow and like Graphic Design can be used to increase comprehension and credibility whether for motion or still imagery and storytelling.
Since 2003
We have years of experience helping US and International productions spread their wings and add local flavor and interest to their shows. Household names like Kevin Hart, the Kardashians, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Masterchef, Ant and Dec and Gordon Ramsay are but a few of the primetime names we’ve had the honor to associate with.
Get the low down locally
We have helped all manner of strange and not so strange request since 2003. Maybe you need to find the long lost, oldest, best, smartest or scariest. Our producers are past masters at helping you mine the best stories for your project.
House it, move it, feed it
Our local producers will make sure you have a good base camp, and cast, crew and talent are all in the right place and ready to do battle on a full stomach.
The best solution for
We’ve helped multi city projects for household name shows and support multi city projects with a central production and billing contact and generally make sure things are all in order even when it’s full-on international work.
Book clever with
We work with expert partners to sort flights, transfers, hotels, excess baggage, carnets and visas so you can concentrate on producing the best possible show.
Professional & experienced
Camera dept, Grip, Lighting, Hair/Make Up, Production, Costume… You name it, we can supply a good and enthusiastic local crew whether you need an extra helping hand or a turnkey solution.
Avoid admin nightmares
We’ll take care of worker’s comp, local fringes and other administrative necessities, and that you have all the paperwork in order for the network.
Here at all stages
Be it for one or many locations, we have experience of looking after international productions. We’ll manage things with care and consideration and we work transparently and treat every project with the utmost respect.
Find the perfect
Camera, Light, Grip, Unit Base, Props. You name it we will source what you need from the best suppliers locally to save shipping costs.
Local knowledge makes for effective
Be it for a reality show, documentary or any other factual show or film project, our local producers and scouts can work from your brief and find or secure locations as well as getting permits signed sealed and delivered.
Since 2003
Create or improve your videos with compelling editing and post-production.
We have editors worldwide ready to help you craft a story that looks good and makes sens so you get your message across.
Since 2003
Motion graphics are great For Brands are well suited to help them tell their stories.
They’re emotionally captivating and make content easier to comprehend because they don’t require much from the viewer.
They’re also easy to repurpose so you can cut one motion graphic into several 30-second promotional vids, update VO, or turn your existing motion graphics into static infographics.
Since 2003
We can find voiceover artists and we can record remotely as we have our own sound engineers who produce our podcasts. We are globally connected with our clients, producers and talent and can easily link with anyone via the latest online recording studios solutions as well with voices recording from home studios, and local professional studio facilities.
Since 2003
When preparing a marketing campaign, the need to use life-like images and 2&3-D animations for proposals, presentations, and pitches is very useful. We have a great base of great animators and we can of course shoot all the live action content you need to work with it!
Since 2003
Colourists contribute to the mood and look of a film and our will work with the director and director of photography to decide the palette and work to apply LUT settings as well as making the final film more consistent with a final grade.
Since 2003
Webinars and webcasts are online events that are designed to connect presenters with audiences and are now considered essential tools. We can supply a local crew or many crew to port into your systems righty through to managing the platform via control rooms in all regions.
Since 2003
Pre Shoot or Live Stream or pre record to play in as live on the big day. We have crew and green screen studios that you can film your event with , worldwide.
Since 2003
Use a green screen to transform your online event. With huge competition online, you want to make sure your videos are the ones that stand out from the rest, and a green screen help make this happen.
Green screen can replace a portion of an image with a new image like a coloured background with a different setting. Like a virtual background so you can embed different people , filmed in different locations with a uniform background or staging to creatively make your video as unique as possible.
Since 2003
At a time when in-person events are not always an option, creating engaging digital experiences has never been more important, or easy. We will can still deliver a successful event,and convert seminars into interactive webinars, setup digital trade shows and conferences and create a hybrid physical/virtual event.
Since 2003
Social Media Streaming, Online Video Platform streaming and Corporate Webcasting are easy with our well equipped local crew and we can shoot both live and on-demand content and we can deliver high quality and secure webcasts for anything from internal comms to investor relations.
Since 2003
Keynote speaker/public speaker filming can use a variety of ways of filming. From a single camera angle to multiple cameras. We have filmed presentations with three and even up to four cameras. Multiple cameras allow more elaborate shots like slider and crowd reaction shots and make the final edit easier to make as well as being more watchable for your viewer
Since 2003
Typically composed of four or five people, and shot with three or four cameras.
We can capture the raw footage of presenters, wider shots of all the panel members as well as shots of the audience. We can also edit mix these shots for a prerecorded Panel discussion as well as live streaming to a global audience.
Since 2003
Exhibitions, corporate events, festivals, and more can make good use of testimonials and vox – pops for events. We can capture all the content, and create persuasive videos.
Since 2003
We often shoot and edit and create engaging highlight videos and wrap-up videos. We can offer video and photo coverage of keynotes, interviews, and supply raw footage or a fully edited video and photo package as required.
Since 2003
Our global base of vetted photographers will give you the highest quality photographs to showcase your event. From a product launch to big conferences we’ll capture exactly what you need.
Since 2003
Our global base of vetted photographers will give you the highest quality headshots. What’s best is that we can supply people worldwide to cover the right people in your organisation and capture exactly what you need.
Since 2003
Booking a Camera Crew is easy with us. With our global database of the best video crew & DoPs worldwide, all carefully vetted to meet your requirements.
We have the best crew, vetted against a 30 point checklist backed up by a 60 point production process to ensure a good shoot every time.
We make booking crew easy, so you can use the time you save to focus on telling great stories without the pain of administration.
Since 2003
Using common platforms like Skype and Zoom you can record and direct a shot backed up by our video control centre and expert technicians crew for those times when there is not the option to bring in a crew.
Since 2003
Our expert crew will capture VR/360 footage internationally. We’ve a full range of kit: from 8K stereoscopic VR cameras to special audio equipment to capture stunning VR/360 video and stills content. We also offer specialised post production and stitch and master acquired footage for you.
Since 2003
As well as the people to shoot, we have the best people to take a script and turn it into reality with directors and producers remotely and on site to realise your film.
Since 2003
Get round production bottlenecks with our experienced Animators and FX professionals, they can work remotely on or premise for your corporate, content, advertising or broadcast project.
Since 2003
Create video anywhere in the world, whenever you want, in as many places as you want! We’ll easily manage multiple local video shoots led by expert local crew.
Since 2003
Stunning results from drones for video filming or photography. Our drone operators are extremely professional and are familiar with the local regulations in place and fully insured as well as being able to manage the authorisations needed, no matter where it might be.
NB –
Get in touch with us early on in a project as regulations worldwide are tightening up and you often need a good 6 weeks lead time to get authorisation especially in big cities and in sensitive areas like near to airports and military installations.
Since 2003
Do you need a crew right now? We’ve been there thousands of times and we can help. Tell us what you want via the contact form below, and our experienced production team will find you the right person in the right place.
Since 2003
We’ve got the professionals and the experience to do it right. From the first moments we’ll work as an extension of your team to help with the admin and other tedious tasks that can waste so much time!
Since 2003
Using Skype or Zoom chat we can record remotely and monitor quality while you can
give direction to your talent. With one of our professional video technicians in the control room at your service, you’re in good hands!
Since 2003
Using Skype or Zoom chat we can record remotely and monitor quality while you can
give direction to your talent. With one of our professional video technicians in the control room at your service, you’re in good hands!
Since 2003
Our Creative Staffing Support services give you access to a global database of vetted talent. We’ll source, screen and come up with a shortlist of candidates that are a good fit for your open position so you can choose from the cream of the crop.
We help you get your team great people without having to spend ages reading stacks of CV’s and save you time, energy and money.
Since 2003
Managed Services for in house creative teams range from providing a single person right through to an entire team, or adding to your existing team.
After a thorough review of your needs we’ll source, supply and manage a specialist creative team at your location that integrates into your company’s workflow, so that you can devote your energies to creating amazing film, photo and podcasts for your business.
We’re an extension of your team and your dedicated account manager will ensure all runs smoothly as well as sorting the paperwork and payroll for on-site people and contractors.
We allow you to flexibly scale instantly thanks to our vetted database of top creative crew, and we’re always at your side to make sure everything’s running efficiently and productively.
Since 2003
Turbocharge your event coverage, be it pre, during or post event with reliable video and photo crew for virtual and physical events worldwide from ACrew4U
We’re trusted by clients in all sorts of industry sectors, to film, produce, and deliver their virtual events.