A picture car agency does for cars what a casting director does for actors. It reads the scene, works out what the car has to say about the character, the year and the place, and then finds the car that says it. CarSeen does not own a rental fleet. We cast from private owners, collectors and specialists, which means the choice starts from the story rather than from what happens to be in a yard.
That matters on screen. A detective's tired saloon, a family's first estate and a villain's hero car each need a different car, in a different condition. An agency can look across many owners to find the one that fits, check it, and coordinate it on the day.
A car film agency versus a hire company
A traditional hire company rents out cars it owns. That can be quick when the fleet has what you need, but the choice ends at the edge of the fleet. An owner-sourced agency works differently: it searches across many owners and collectors, so the range is wider and each car is chosen for the scene.
The trade-off is coordination. Every owner has their own car, their own habits and their own rules about how it can be used. Part of an agency's job is to handle that for you: confirming dates, agreeing who drives and passing on practical notes before the car arrives. For questions to ask any supplier, see choosing a picture car hire company.
How a car filming agency casts a car
- Read the brief. The scene, the year, the location, the character and how the car will be used.
- Search the catalogue and owners. We look for cars that fit the look and the practical needs of the shoot.
- Send a shortlist. Usually within forty-eight hours, with photos and notes on each car.
- Confirm and coordinate. Once a car is chosen, the production arranges insurance and we confirm the date, call time and on-set rules with the owner.
For the full process, see how it works.
Who we work with
CarSeen is a UK picture-car casting brokerage. Our team have worked with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC, Channel 4, Paramount, Apple TV, Meta, Google, Disney+, and Discovery. See credits.
Day to day, briefs come from producers, production managers, location managers, art departments, advertising agencies, stylists and music video producers. Whether the job is one car for a photoshoot or a full period street for a drama, the brief works the same way.
A car brand filming agency for automotive shoots
Brands sometimes look for a car filming company when they need an automotive film made. We are not a production company: we supply the cars and work alongside the production company or agency that shoots the film. That might mean sourcing a heritage model from a brand's past, a competitor-free street around a hero car, or period cars that frame a new product.
If you are planning a commercial, see cars for commercials for the practical points, from clearances and badges to how the car is used on the day.
Consulting on larger productions
On larger productions a hire list alone is not enough. We can consult with the creative team before the first booking, reading the script and the period so every vehicle earns its place in frame, then source against that plan. See consulting.
Cars from the catalogue
A spread of real catalogue cars across the types productions ask for most. Every listing can be briefed, and availability is confirmed when you send your requirements.
Why CarSeen
- 2,500+ cars in the catalogue
- Based in Shoreditch, London, sourcing from owners across the UK
- Our team have worked with productions for film, TV and advertising — see our credits
- How we protect owners: owner-submitted listings use the owner's own photos with plates covered, and never show names, addresses or registrations
FAQ
What does a picture car agency do?
A picture car agency casts cars for the screen. Rather than renting out its own fleet, it finds the right car for a scene from owners and collectors, checks it, and coordinates it with the production.
How is an agency different from a hire company?
A hire company usually rents cars it owns. An agency like CarSeen sources from many private owners and collectors, so the choice is wider and each car is cast for the scene rather than picked from a fixed fleet.
Are you a car filming company?
No. We supply and coordinate the cars; we do not film them. For brand and automotive shoots we work alongside the production company or agency that makes the film.
Who arranges insurance?
Once a car is chosen, the production arranges picture-car insurance naming the owner. The exact cover is confirmed for each job.
How quickly will we get options?
We come back with a shortlist, usually within forty-eight hours, with photos and practical notes on each car.
Do you work outside London?
Yes. We are based in London and cast cars for productions across the UK.
Casting a car?