Film Production Generator Rental for Film, TV and Commercial Shoots

Film Production Generator Rental in Houston and the Gulf Coast

Location shoots rarely have usable house power, and the power that is there is seldom enough for a lighting package. A rental generator gives the gaffer stable power, delivered where the set needs it, so the shoot is not limited by building circuits or by what a location owner will allow. Stag supports productions in Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Pasadena, Baytown, Pearland, The Woodlands, Conroe, Texas City, League City and nearby communities, and we ship nationwide for productions working outside Texas.

Our team works with producers, location managers, gaffers and best boys to review the lighting plan, choose the right size, and deliver and set the unit before call time.

What a Film Set Generator Powers

Set Power for Lighting and Cameras

Lighting is usually the largest load on set. LED panels and fixtures, large HMIs, practicals, cameras, monitors, video village and DIT carts all draw from the same source. LED fixtures and camera electronics are sensitive to voltage swings, so the generator must be sized with headroom and kept under steady load, rather than pushed close to its limit when a big light strikes.

Base Camp Power

Base camp often needs as much power as the set: production offices, hair and makeup trailers, wardrobe, talent trailers, honeywagons, catering and craft services, plus air conditioning on Houston summer days. Many productions run a separate generator for base camp so trailer and AC loads never affect the lights on set.

Commercials, Music Videos and Live Broadcasts

Short shoots need fast setup and a clean wrap. For one-day commercials, a single towable unit with cable and a distro panel is often all that is required. Live broadcasts and multi-camera TV shows add continuous operation and backup power to the plan.

Quiet Generators and Clean Power on Set

Sound is the reason productions care about generator noise. Dialogue recording suffers when a generator is too close, so ask our team about sound-attenuated, enclosed units for your location. Placement matters as much as the unit: park the generator as far from set as the cable run allows, put trucks or buildings between the unit and the microphones, and point the exhaust away from set and crew. A quiet, low decibel generator protects audio recording quality and keeps sound from calling for retakes.

For clean power, keep load balanced across phases, avoid running the generator at very light load for long periods, and separate set power from base camp. These steps help keep voltage and frequency stable for cameras, LED lighting and sensitive electronics.

Sizing Temporary Power for a Production

Start from the gaffer’s lighting plot and the base camp list. Add the running load of each fixture, camera package, trailer and AC unit, then add starting loads and a safety buffer of roughly 20% to 25% above peak. Your rental needs will change from day to day as the set moves, so we recommend sizing for the heaviest scene, not the average. Also plan fuel: run time on a full tank depends on tank size and load, so schedule refueling around the shooting day and never let a unit run dry mid-take. Compare unit specs on our generator sizes page or send us your specifications for review.

Cable, Distribution Panels and Backup Power

Getting power from the generator to set safely takes more than a unit. Stag rents cable, distribution panels, spider boxes, transformers and transfer switches through our power distribution rentals, including transfer switch rental for stages and studios that need backup power on standby. Proper distribution splits power safely across set, video village and base camp, and helps keep the setup in line with NEC requirements for temporary power.

Check whether your film permit covers generator placement at each location, since some cities and property owners require approval. Towable units also need a suitable truck and a driver who meets towing and licensing rules, or Stag can handle delivery and pickup.

Long Term Rentals and Emergency Response

Episodic series and features shooting for weeks can use single, double or triple shift billing to match the schedule, with the convenience of one supplier for generators and distribution. The same fleet backs up construction sites, hospitals and other industries during outages, and our hurricane contingency power plan helps Gulf Coast businesses and studios stay ready during storm season. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, half of every year, and storms can knock out grid power for days or weeks.

Reliable Power: Why Productions Choose Stag

• Diesel-only fleet, 20kW to 2,000kW: towable and containerized units for any production size.
• Load-bank tested: every unit is tested before dispatch for dependable power on set. Load bank testing applies a set load for a specified duration to confirm full rated output and expose potential failures, the same method NFPA 110 uses for emergency power systems.
• Fast delivery and 24/7 support: from our Dickinson, Texas yard, with nationwide shipping.
• Flexible billing: single, double and triple shift options for efficiency on any schedule.

We offer a variety of unit sizes that are ideal for the entertainment industry, and our team helps customers at every step, from reviewing the inventory to having crews in the field ready to operate. Contact us early in prep, since availability is subject to demand during storm season and busy production months.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to rent a generator for a film shoot?

Cost depends on generator size, rental length, shift billing, distribution equipment, fuel and delivery location. Request a quote with your lighting plan and shoot dates for exact pricing.

What size generator do I need for a film set?

Total the lighting, camera and base camp loads, add starting loads and a 20% to 25% buffer. Small commercial shoots often run on 50 to 150kW, while large film productions can need 300kW or more.

What is the 80% rule for generators?

It means keeping continuous load at about 80% of the generator’s rated output, which leaves room for lights striking and motors starting.

Can a diesel generator run 24 hours a day?

Yes. Industrial diesel generators are built for continuous operation with refueling and routine checks, which suits overnight shoots and long term productions.

Is it cheaper to buy or rent a generator for production?

For most productions renting is the better option, since you avoid purchase, storage, maintenance and testing costs and can change unit size as each project changes.

Request a Quote for Your Production

Ready to power your next shoot? Call 1-844-STAG-PWR or request an industrial generator quote and our team will assist with sizing, delivery and setup.