Answers
Frequently asked questions.
Booking, crew, insurance, capabilities, and everything else productions ask us before they lock a water day.
12 Questions
Everything productions ask us
What is the Basilisk?+
The Basilisk is a Chameleon 3 (CH3M) Multipurpose Production Vessel operated by Terrific Watercraft Films, based in Miami, Florida. It reconfigures between camera arm boat, marine drone control unit, and underwater film command on a single hull.
What is a Multipurpose Production Vessel (MPV)?+
A Multipurpose Production Vessel is a marine platform engineered from the hull up to serve multiple filmmaking roles. Instead of chartering three separate boats — picture boat, drone unit, underwater team — an MPV consolidates all three into one purpose-built vessel with one crew.
Where is the Basilisk based?+
The Basilisk's home port is Miami, Florida (25.7617° N · 80.1918° W). It operates daily in Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach, Government Cut, the Port of Miami approach, and the Florida Keys, and trailers or mobilizes anywhere in the world for productions.
How do I book the Basilisk?+
Send your shoot dates, location, and creative brief through the contact form on this site, email bookings@terrificwatercraftfilms.com, or call +1 (786) 286-5894. We respond to production inquiries within 24 hours.
What is included in a Basilisk day rate?+
A standard day includes the vessel, licensed captain, camera arm operator, DIT / VTR technician, Ultraarm crane with Motocrane stabilized head, Wave Central wireless video, Cyanview live grading, and the on-board DIT Dark Room. Add-ons include drone crews, underwater teams, and the mobile command trailer.
Do you provide the camera package?+
The Basilisk is a vessel and rig platform, not a camera rental. We work seamlessly with client-supplied camera packages and coordinate with Miami-area rental houses. Cameras mount to the Motocrane remote head on the Ultraarm jib.
What is the Flat Water Guarantee?+
If our captain determines your scheduled shoot window is unsafe or unshootable due to weather or sea state, we reschedule at no additional day rate. You do not eat a wasted water day because the ocean did not cooperate.
How many crew ride onboard?+
The Basilisk carries a captain, a camera arm operator, and a DIT / VTR technician in the Dark Room as its standard on-water crew. Additional crew — drone pilots, underwater operators, gaffers, director, DP — ride depending on configuration and shoot brief.
Is the Basilisk insured?+
Yes. Terrific Watercraft Films carries commercial marine and production liability coverage. Certificates of insurance and additional-insured endorsements are issued on request per production.
Can you shoot at night?+
Yes. The Basilisk operates day and night, with USCG-compliant lighting for navigation and blackout-capable lighting for on-camera work. Night water calls require additional coordination for permitting and safety.
Do you work with international productions?+
Yes. We service productions in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and mobilize internationally with full logistics support. Miami is a hub for Latin American and European crews shooting hero water content.
What kind of shoots is the Basilisk built for?+
Feature films and series with marine sequences, commercials (automotive, marine, spirits, fashion), sports and marine documentaries, music videos, and live broadcast events. Any production where the water day cannot fail.
Where can I rent a camera boat in Miami?+
Terrific Watercraft Films rents the Basilisk, a crewed camera boat based in Miami with a stabilized Ultraarm crane, Motocrane head, licensed captain and on-board DIT dark room. It works Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach, Haulover and the Florida Keys. Book at bookings@terrificwatercraftfilms.com or (786) 286-5894.
What is the difference between a camera boat and a picture boat?+
On most productions the terms are used interchangeably for the vessel carrying the camera; some crews use picture boat for the vessel seen on screen. The Basilisk works as the camera platform — running alongside with a stabilized crane — and can also lead drone and underwater units from the same hull.
Do you travel outside Florida?+
Yes. The Basilisk is based in South Florida and can be deployed to any water-accessible location in the United States, with logistics handled by the Terrific Watercraft Films team.
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