At Hippo Carts, we design and build film and TV production carts that genuinely support the way crews work on set. Whether you're in the grip department, lighting (gaffer), camera crew, or art department, we understand that no two roles, or workflows, are ever the same.
That’s exactly why we offer both bespoke production carts and a range of standard film carts.
Built From Real Film Set Experience
Our founder, Alex, has worked on film and TV sets and has seen first-hand how inefficient setups can slow down production and cost money.
From poorly organised camera carts to overloaded lighting carts and impractical grip trolleys, these inefficiencies impact every department, from gaffers and grips to art department teams and camera operators.
That real-world experience is what drives Hippo Carts.
Costa Coffee Advert
Alex built a robot for the Costa Coffee Adverts and operated it during filming.
Man vs Robot
An American pilot tv show. Alex assisted in operating the robots during filming.
Why Bespoke Production Carts Matter
Standard film equipment carts are useful and widely used across the industry. But they aren’t always designed for your exact workflow.
Our custom film carts and bespoke production trolleys are built specifically around:
- Your equipment (camera kits, lighting gear, grip equipment, art department tools)
- Your on-set workflow
- Your setup and pack-down time
- Your transport and location needs
No two crew members, whether in camera, grip, electrical, or art departments, work the same way.
With our bespoke service, we create organised, efficient cart systems tailored to you, helping you:
- Move faster on set
- Stay organised under pressure
- Reduce setup and pack down time
- Save production costs in the long run (whether this is through less breakages, losses, (as we all know you loose at least one piece of kit on every set or time)
Designed & Built In-House for Film Production
At Hippo Carts, everything is designed and built in-house.
Alex brings expertise in:
- CAD design for production carts
- Engineering and fabrication
- Robotics and mechanical systems
- 3D printing for custom components
This allows us to create high performance film carts and TV production trolleys that solve real on-set problems, without relying on generic, mass produced designs.
CAD
Designing Bespoke carts in house
Fabrication
Building in house
Solving Common On-Set Problems Across Departments
Working closely with crews across film and television production, we’ve helped solve challenges faced by multiple departments, including:
- Grip carts that store flags and smaller kit together
- Lighting carts that remain compact and agile on busy sets
- Camera carts designed for fast access and efficient workflow
- Production carts that can roll smoothly over cables and uneven terrain
- Integrated charging systems allowing all equipment to run from a single power source
These solutions are built from real feedback from gaffers, grips, camera operators, and art department teams.
Standard Film & TV Production Carts – Designed From Real Bespoke Solutions
Alongside our bespoke service, we offer a range of standard film and TV production carts available through our shop, but these are far from generic.
Every cart in our standard range is born from a bespoke idea.
They originate from real challenges brought to us by crew working across camera, grip, lighting (gaffer), and art departments. Through our bespoke projects, we continuously solve on-set problems, and when we see patterns in what crews need, those solutions evolve into our standard carts.
This means our standard production carts are not off the shelf designs. They are:
- Developed from real on-set problems
- Refined through bespoke builds
- Proven in working production environments
- Designed to improve workflow, not just carry equipment
We don’t believe in pushing out mass produced, generic carts that don’t serve a purpose.
We work directly with crews to design film carts and production trolleys that are actually needed, equipment that improves efficiency, organisation, and movement on set.
Astera Charging Cart
Designed to hold 40 Astera tubes and allow for charging
Tip and Go Cart
Designed to tip back for agility
Built With Purpose
Each cart in our standard range is:
- Designed using real on-set experience
- Built to solve common production challenges
So while these carts are ready to purchase, they carry the same thinking and problem, solving approach as our bespoke builds.
Designed For You
At Hippo Carts, everything starts with the same principle:
We design for you, not for mass production.
Our standard carts are simply the most common solutions we’ve developed alongside crews like you.
If your workflow fits one of those solutions, a standard cart is a perfect, reliable choice.
If not, that’s where bespoke comes in.
A Family Run Business Supporting Film Crews
Hippo Carts is a small, family run business building film production carts in the UK.
We don’t mass produce.
Instead, we:
- Build carts to order
- Keep overheads low
- Focus on quality and durability
This allows us to offer high-quality bespoke carts and production trolleys at competitive prices, passing those savings directly on to film crews.
Family business
Alex and Briony Marler
Alexander Marler
Founder of Hippo Carts and the talent behind the bespoke service.
The Bottom Line
There’s no one size fits all solution in film and TV production.
Whether you need a custom camera cart, a bespoke lighting trolley, a grip cart, or a standard production cart, Hippo Carts is here to support every department on set.
Because when your equipment is organised, mobile, and efficient, your entire production runs smoother.