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BAD CREW NAMES
What constitutes a bad camera crew name? Well, one factor for sure is anything that ends in "CAM," such as Handycam, DVcam, Betacam, & Electricam (a real name folks). In due respect to my old pal Dennis Dillon down in Florida, I never quite understood his selection of Migracam as his company's name. My initial interpretation was that it referred to a shooter who was always battling Migraine headaches. Upon further research, I was informed that, translated from it's Latin roots, the definition of the name is to migrate. So, much like roaming wildebeest in the Serengeti Plain, Dennis and Bonnie travel from one southern town to another in search of a good shoot and a premium table at the finest restaurant.
Without overstating the obvious, the "CAM" thing is terribly hackneyed. Much in the same way the Internet boom launched monikers like cyber, virtual, or "e" this or that (e-mail, e-trading, etc.) these prefixes/suffixes have recently become antiquated. The "CAM" thing has been overdone like a bowl of rigatoni at the Olive Garden...except for one name. Albeit, I am a little uncertain of the spelling, there is a renowned cameraman in Texas named Greg Bater. Can you guess his company's name? Right. Batercam. Hopefully though, he'll never pass the torch to his young son until he matures. I mean who could possibly hire a company with the name Master Batercam?
Punny names are always losers. Here's a listing of some awful names for a production company...
Crews Control
Crew Cuts (formed after the recent ABC lockout)
Crews to Nowhere
My Camera's Too Crewdelicious for You, Baby.
Crewton (Must be a pudgy shooter who eats an extraordinary amounts of salad toppings)
Croupier (You'll be rolling the dice hiring this guy)
Crewdite (Thought your soundman was a little sleepy last time? This shooter is a vegetable!)
Frankly, these names seem like a crewel joke!
Here are a few that you suggested to me several weeks ago...
Van Gogh Audi-Oh!
One-Eyed Jack's Video
"Snap Crackle & Pop" Video & Audio Partners
Dirty Harry's Make My Dub
"Have a Nice Trip" Gaffers
Some less than brilliant ones but better than the average...
Stabile Images: Meant to conjure up images of a smooth and steady picture, but generally leaves you with the thought of a photographer who takes pictures in the winner's circle at the Aqueduct Racetrack.
Low Key Productions: Some claim that this name describes the owners temperament rather than a type of light.
Media Revolution: The only thing that this company has revolutionized is the way that upcoming schedules are delivered to his clients -- other than that the work is standard operating procedure.