What camera, lighting and editing gear should I verify when buying a video production company?

Start with the list. It should include cameras, lenses, lighting, audio, drones, storage and the edit suite, with a description, an age and a condition for each. Ask which items are owned outright and which are leased or financed, since a lender may hold a claim on them. Compare the list with the company’s asset records.

Then see the gear in person. Ask for demonstrations, check serial numbers and look at wear, repair history and service records. Editing computers deserve attention: confirm they run the software the company uses today, and who holds the licences. Software tied to the owner personally may not move to you. Ask about gear that is not on the company’s books. Owners and freelancers often use personal equipment for company jobs. If the owner’s favourite camera is not part of the sale, you may need to replace it. An independent appraiser can assess the equipment, and your accountant can tell you how it appears in the statements.

Finally, think about replacement. Cameras and editing hardware age quickly, so ask what the company has spent on upgrades and what it expects to need soon.

Key takeaways

• Build a complete list with ownership, age and condition, then check it against serial numbers.
• Find out which items are leased, financed or owned personally by the owner or crew.
• Ask what upgrades are due soon, since gear can age out of use quickly.