Dear Friends,I'm so happy to announce that we're back! Our sales and service team are at work 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday. And we are happy to serve all of your grip equipment needs-from product orders and technical questions, to service and replacement parts. Need us? Please call, email or contact us on social media. We're here to help!We've ramped up manufacturing and enhanced our stocking capabilities with increased warehouse space, now stocked with thousands of different products ready for your production needs. If we don't have what you need on the shelf, our in-house manufacturing can get it done in a matter of days or weeks depending on the gear.Plus, we're taking safety precautions in everything we do. We've installed dividers, placed sanitizing stations around the factory, issued personal protective equipment and spaced workers out to comply with CDC guidelines. Additionally, we've trained and appointed a Covid-19 compliance officer to help ensure that both staff and customers are as safe as possible. Speaking of safety, you might want to check out our new Sheet Adapter Kit. lt's great for building custom dividers to protect against virus transmission onset, plus it comes in handy when you least expect it for utilizing standard grip equipment. And, please don't forget to check out the latest tools and tips from Matthews University. We're adding content each week.Stay safe! Stay healthy! Stay positive!

FilmLA resumed coordination of film permits starting on Monday, June 15. Please see our latest Production Alert and growing list of areas reopening to filming.

As we reopen, in order to allow time for government review and community notification, the earliest available filming date for low-complexity shoots will be Friday, June 19.

By order of state and local authorities, on-location filming was shut down in the City and County of Los Angeles from March 20 through June 11, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On June 5, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that counties throughout the state could begin reopening to film, television and commercial production starting on June 12.

A modified health order from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health followed on June 12, authorizing filming to resume.

The LA County health protocols applicable to film production are now available from the County's website. These protocols must be agreed to as a condition of film permit release.

Governor Newsom's decision followed the June 1 release of new Health and Safety Guidelines, prepared by the Industry Wide Labor Management Safety Committee (IWLMSC) Task Force. These guidelines serve as a resource to the industry. You may access those Safety Guidelines here.

Some states are starting to re-open their businesses while California is expected to follow suit starting May 9^th and will be following the four stages (and we are not talking sound stages) as outlined by Governor Newsom and his administration:• Stage 1 (where we started) is making sure essential workers are consistently safe in their work environments. • Stage 2 (starting May 9^th) would allow lower-risk businesses and public spaces to re-open with modifications to allow for distancing. This means factories, more-spaced out work stations and non-grocery retail stores with curbside pickup. • Stage 3 is for higher risk business like hair salons, gyms, movie theaters and sporting events without fans. • Stage 4 would allow concerts, conventions and sporting events with fans to re-open.So, how will all of this affect YOUR business' operation or Production Company going forward? Depending upon which stage your business falls under, your day-to-day operation may continue to function remotely for a while longer or may need to start planning on how to operate "under one roof" while keeping employees safe. Besides being affected by the stage time-frame (since these are sequential - stage 3 & 4 could be months away), there are other factors that might hinder your business' efficiency. Let's look at ways on how the premier technology rental company serving the entertainment industry, eTech Rentals, can help you overcome these additional challenges so you can operate productively and effectively until business returns to the "new normal".Can't Find Latest Mobile TechnologyIt has widely been reported that the virus outbreak in China has affected technology manufacturing sectors including phones to laptops, iPads to gaming consoles. This could be a problem if you and your team need the latest and greatest tech equipment especially if you are working on a high-end graphics project or FX editing. One way to overcome this challenge is to consider renting technology equipment, and eTech Rentals, the leading technology rental company in Los Angeles, can get you the technology you need.eTech Rentals offers the newest MacPro for rent at competitive rates, and can deliver same-day in Los Angeles. If your production team has a hodge-podge of mobile technology, why not get your staff the same models on a short-term basis? We rent laptops, and our rental inventory is stocked with the same make and model with bulk rate pricing. Of course, if you are planning on setting up a new production company for your latest project, eTech Rentals can assist with that too! We know the entertainment business and have partnered with many production companies and are experienced in setting up production office equipment rentals. eTech Rentals will make sure that the technology you need is set-up and ready to go when and where you need it. Missing Essential Home Office EquipmentAs your staff has finally adjusted to their remote office environment, have they expressed frustration about having poor WiFi or needing a piece of equipment that isn't available at their home? If so, there are some easy fixes to these annoyances. To improve connectivity at home/remote office, rent 5G wifi for your staff. eTech Rentals, a wireless internet rental provider, carries the newest 5g hotspot product, that offers incredibly fast internet speeds with quicker uploads/downloads and no buffering. Now, that's a way to improve employee productivity!Does your accounting or legal team need to physically print documents and they don't want to use their own personal printer? eTech Rentals has printer rentals available today and ready to deliver in Los Angeles. So, don't wait another day to take care of this for your staff and get it off their To Do list!Rescheduling of Events/Film FestivalsWe know that many global events were cancelled due to COVID-19. But what if you want to showcase a short-film or animated film to a select group in the next couple of months? One possible solution is to host a virtual meeting or film festival. By creating a live streaming event, you can create a unique online experience for film-goers. Not sure how to put on a virtual event in Los Angeles? eTech Rentals is now offering video streaming services. Learn more about video conferencing rentals and ask us about our live-streaming solution which provides a safe alternative to in-person events.Planning for the Next Phases with Technology RentalseTech Rentals can help you plan your next steps as California starts the process of re-opening for business. We have a large portfolio of name-brand technology rentals in stock and ready to deliver, same day in Los Angeles. If needed, we can custom configure our gear to your company standard and remotely manage, if you want.In addition, we are committed to the health and safety of our employees and customers. eTech Rentals offers the newest technology in top condition, and rigorously cleans all equipment upon return and prior to delivery to your location. We also have a contact-free delivery option.Give eTech Rentals a call today at 877-738-3246 or email us at rentals@etechrentals.com to learn more about our rental products that can help your business or production company continue to operate efficiently and productively.Contact Details:eTech Rentalswww.etechrentals.com(p): 877-738-3246(e): Rentals@etechrentals.com

Renowned Visual Effects industry veteran Helena Packer, currently marking her 30th anniversary year working within the VFX arena, is currently working to enhance the next era of the visual effects field by developing new tools which will utilize the powerful advancements in digital technologies offered by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Packer explains how her new AI path came into play: In 2018, Raja Koduri, Chief Architect at Intel, approached her, asking if she would like to consult with Intel on the company's research and development of AI. For Packer, it felt like a natural fit, as she has been working to bridge technology with art throughout her entire career. During the past two years, Packer has had the opportunity to collaborate with some of the best minds currently working in AI, including Jason Yang, Co-Founder & CTO at Dgene.Packer, who sits on the Executive Committee of AMPAS, and also serves as Chair of the Diversity Committee for AMPAS' VFX Branch, is presently seeking new ways to make content creation easier and more gratifying through the incorporation of AI. "On the professional level, there is, at the moment, a huge surge in content production," Packer says. "AI offers a way to experiment and iterate that the VFX pipeline currently in existence doesn't --because of time and money. On the consumer level, there has also been a huge surge as well. Three hundred hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute! New AI tools will surely give consumers new ways by which to expand their creativity."As part of her research, Packer has traveled all over the world, and has seen first-hand how storytelling is both universal and a basic human form of expression. "In Malaysia, I saw women in hijabs making movies with their iPhones, and in India, people told me that filmmaking was in their blood," she says. "I learned that since the first cave paintings, human beings have been trying to leave their mark and tell their stories through whatever medium has been available to them during their era."Packer cites as her inspiration a quote from President John Quincy Adams: "I am a warrior, so that my son may be a merchant, so that his son may be a poet." "I hope AI will follow this trajectory and will easily allow people to express themselves with a new suite of digital AI tools. Imagine being able to create new, never before seen environments based on one's own life experiences and imagination. The possibilities are truly limitless!" Packer concludes.Raja Koduri, Intel's Chief Architect and Senior Vice President, said, "I first met Helena during the production of Indian VFX blockbusters 'Baahubali' and 'Baahubali 2.' She was recommended as one of the top VFX supervisors and leaders in Hollywood, and well versed in working across global teams. More recently, I had an opportunity to collaborate with her again as we began exploring ways to leverage AI technology to help accelerate VFX and content creation. Helena's breadth and depth in the VFX pipeline, and her quick grasp of the technology involved, played a huge role in helping us understand and develop roadmaps by which to accelerate the integration of AI into production pipelines. Helena is a rare blend of leaders - one who understands art, people, business and technology. Hollywood is fortunate to have her."Adds Dr. Jason Yang, Co-Founder/CTO at DGene, "For those of us coming into film-making from a technological point of view, it is imperative to have a visual artist of Helena's stature join in our quest to research and develop new AI tools that can be easily understood and integrated into the visual effects pipeline. Helena has the VFX chops down to a science, and has always been curious about the next 'new thing' that is coming down the digital highway. Her help in our goal of digitizing the world using new AI software will be invaluable not only to DGene, but to the entire entertainment industry."Regarding Packer's work with AI, four-time Oscar winning VFX industry veteran Richard Edlund, who has served as a Governor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS), is chairman of their Visual Effects Branch since its inception, and for twelve years was founder and chairman of the Academy's Scientific & Technical Awards Committee, said, "I've known Helena Packer for 29 years, and she has consistently proven herself to be a unique voice within the visual effects arena. She has tremendous skills, both creatively and technologically, and understands how to tell a story through the use of imagery. I'm confident that she will become an important asset in the development of the burgeoning artificial intelligence industry, helping to make those new digital tools available to storytellers everywhere."ABOUT HELENA PACKERHelena Packer is currently celebrating the 30th anniversary of her work within the visual effects industry. During the course of her highly successful career, she has garnered numerous major industry awards, contributing unique and acclaimed visual effects to dozens of feature films, episodic TV series, commercials, and music videos. Packer, who sits on the Executive Committee of AMPAS, also serves as Chair of the Diversity Committee for AMPAS' VFX Branch.Beginning her VFX career in 1990 as a Visual Effects Artist for the hit TV series "Twin Peaks," Packer worked for the next nine years as a Digital Compositor with such top companies as R!OT Santa Monica ("The Last of the Mohicans"), Helena EFX - her own banner - ("Tank Girl," "House on Haunted Hill," "What's the Worst That Can Happen?", "Joe and Max," and "Young MacGyver,"); and Boss Film ("Air Force One"); while also contributing VFX work to commercials for Coca-Cola, Sunkist, Hyundai and Miller Beer.In l999, Packer launched Whodoo EFX, providing a creative environment in which clients and artists alike could work together to develop new and exciting visual effects for a wide range of projects. The company was comprised of a pool of highly successful and award-winning professionals, with Packer serving as president and Visual Effects Supervisor./figcaption>Whodoo EFX contributed VFX to "The Singing Detective,' "X2: X-Men United," "The Stepford Wives," "Failure to Launch," "Anamorph," and Charlie Wilson's War," to name just some notable film and TV projects.In 2011, Packer teamed with VFX icon Richard Edlund to launch duMonde Visual Effects, a post-production studio based in New Orleans. DuMonde provided services such as visual-effects supervision, 3D matte painting, compositing and on-set coordination of visual effects. Among DuMonde's feature film projects was the hit SONY feature film "21 Jump Street," and the action/comedy feature "Barely Lethal."/figcaption>In 2017, Packer joined forces with director Kevin Donovan to produce a variety of VR/AR, independent films, documentaries, select TV projects including limited series, and commercials. The duo produced a live action/CG PSA featuring global superstar Jackie Chan and three animated CG pangolin mammals - the PSA promoted protection of the endangered pangolin species on behalf of the international animal advocacy group WildAid and The Nature Conservancy Group. Packer and Donovan also produced 10 additional PSAs for WildAid, including spots featuring talking elephants and rhinos. Among these PSAs were those starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Cameron, and "Transformers" star Josh Duhamel.As an independent Visual Effects Supervisor, Packer has additionally worked on the TV series "Crossbones," "Quantico," "Ice Fantasy" and "Legion," and on feature films including "The Last Face," "Pitch Perfect," "Grudge Match," "Bullet to the Head," and "Benji," among many others.

BEVERLY HILLS, Ca. - April 15, 2020 - Gibraltar Security Services, an all-Veteran security firm, in partnership with Helinet Aviation Services, recently announced its CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION Program, and has taken action by providing Infrastructure Protection for businesses operating within Critical Infrastructure sectors, where food, energy, transportation, communications & other providers' 'resiliency' is exceptionally vulnerable during the COVID-19 lockdown."Our alliance is implementing worksite-protection & risk management strategies designed for keeping Critical Infrastructure operating 24-7, to prevent small-businesses, hospitals & quarantined families from suffering utility service interruptions or lacking access to supplies & provisions," said Gibraltar President Gregory Harrison.Allison Rakun, SVP of Marketing & Business Development for Helinet, stated, "given the exponential development and use of commercial UAS (drone) technologies, we understand the new and evolving security risks emerging-our partnership views 360-Degree Physical Security protection from a Fourth-Dimensional perspective; our day/night, all-weather surveillance 'eyes in the sky' gives Gibraltar's 'boots on the ground' a three dimensionional worksite picture, in addition to the Fourth-Dimension of time from Early Warning detection."Mr. Harrison added "our use of UAS/Counter-UAS, fixed & rotary winged assets-with integrated real-time video & communications linked to our ground security-expands the geospatial envelope of our customers' physical security."Gibraltar is utilizing aerial assets as early-warning detection for maximizing valuable time necessary to:• Give local law enforcement advance warning, for their timely response;• Prevent all targeted threats from physically harming Critical Infrastructure worksites, and;• Ensure our communities receive uninterrupted utility service & access to food during quarantine.ABOUT GIBRALTAR SECURITY SERVICES:From boots to suits® Gibraltar Security Services is 100% Veteran owned & operated. As a forward-looking private security firm, Gibraltar specializes in providing niche solutions, evolving our military success from 'tactical to practical,' by employing former Intelligence Analysts, Navy SEALs, Marine Recon Snipers, Green Beret, Combat Medics & other elite Special Operations veterans, to deliver our highest form of customer service through integrity & cost-efficiency with military precision. We provide our services to critical-infrastructure; Fortune 500 executives; California State & U.S. Government Agencies, and; the entertainment industry. Follow us for 'all things security' at: https://gibraltarsecurityservice.comABOUT HELINET AVIATION:Helinet Aviation Services is a diversified helicopter transportation and service provider located at Los Angeles' Van Nuys Airport. With over 30 years in business, the company has earned a highly trusted and widely respected reputation for its exceptional pilots, unparalleled service, and an outstanding safety record. Helinet serves the following markets: airborne law enforcement, electronic news gathering, motion picture, television and commercial production, emergency medical services including patient and organ transport, and VIP charter. Its mission is, and has always been, to be Southern California's preferred carrier for safe, responsive and reliable rotor wing services. For more information: http://www.helinet.comMEDIA OUTREACH:GIBRALTAR SECURITY SERVICES424.335.7775 | 833.OUR.DUTYMedia@GibraltarSecurityService.ComHELINET AVIATION SERVICES818.902.0229Info@Helinet.Com

What started out as a morale builder for furloughed employees has evolved into our COVID19 national call-to-action program in support of first responders, the most vulnerable, our employees, and the public at large. The campaign urges everyone to communicate the practice of social distancing to one another rather than rely solely on the pleas of government and health care officials.We've created items that enable the communication. Social distancing has saved lives. Now is not the time to let up. If you'd like to join the cause, go to www.DistanceIsResistance.com to learn more. Twenty five percent of proceeds go to GlobalGiving's Coronavirus Relief Fund. Thank you for your support and stay safe!

The Hula Post team gave an inside look into the Hula Post Burbank faculties, including a recently upgraded audio and finishing suites, installed and designed by the Key Code Media team."For 25 years, Hula Post has provided exceptional equipment rental services to the post production and broadcast communities We offer a huge rental inventory of editorial and finishing systems, storage solutions and support gear. We also have creative facilities available in Burbank and West LA - providing production teams spacious rooms, turnkey editorial suites, kitchen, and meeting spaces. All supported by the Hula Post 24/7 technical team," commented Hula Post CEO, Denine Nio.Denine Nio gave us a tour of both Burbank creative campuses, just a short drive from each other. Both offices contained long decorated hallways, full of meeting spaces, audio edit suites, and video edit suites. Whiteboards on the wall were filled with television production notes and deadlines, used to keep the current production team using the space- on track with their episode deadlines and promo schedule.Hula Post is most known for its traditional rental business, they have recently experienced a large demand in all three creative space locations. While the spaces can be completely customized for each production, the typical creative space includes a computer (with pre-installed editing software), audio mixer, speakers, and furniture. Shared storage is also available for productions that require collaborative non-linear editorial.Denine then handed us over to Michael Moncreiff, SVP Business Development, to give us an inside look at their latest flagship rooms- a Dolby Atmos-ready audio suite and HDR-ready finishing suite.HDR-Ready Color Finishing SuiteThe new Hula Post color suite was built with streaming platform requirements in mind. Colorists have the tools ready to master, package, and deliver in Dolby Vision, HDR10, and SDR formats required by major streaming platforms. The suite is highly appointed with new equipment, workstations, and monitors- giving colorists a DaVinci Resolve 4K system with a 5.1 Audio experience."The new color suite is designed for all 4K, SDR or HDR Color Correction deliverables. We primarily use Resolve as a conforming tool, but the system is also setup to run both Avid and Adobe as well. For a typical customer, we're taking the finished sequence from Resolve and dropping the timeline into Avid symphony for graphics, titling and effects work" mentioned Hula Post SVP Business Development, Michael MoncreiffUnder the curtain of the custom, Argosy Studio console is a powerful HP Z8 Workstation with a PNY Quadro M6000 Graphic Card. A mounted LG 65" OLED 4K HDR TV is setup as a client reference monitors, while a calibrated Sony BVM and HP DreamColor Z32x are used by the colorist for finishing. On the desk, a Wacom Tablet and Color panel gives the colorist the tactile tools necessary.The entire room was finished off with sound treatment and a 5.1 Genelec speaker system, controlled by a tableside mixer. The suite, just like many other suites in the facility, was designed, qualified, and installed by the Key Code Media engineering team.Sound Finishing SuiteThe new Hula Post sound finishing suite didn't cut any corners, installing a Pro Tools HDX 5.1 system- that can quickly upgrade to Dolby Atmos, when the next project requires it. An Avid S6 Modular Control Surface installed in a custom Argosy console serves as the heart and brains of the room. This is one of two audio suites Hula Post offers at their Burbank location."Our latest audio suite is a lot larger than the other rooms in our facility. We designed it to not only accommodate the episodic customers that use our facility, but also for creators working on feature films. With the larger room, we went with a larger Avid S6 mix board- this opens the doors to 5.1, 7.1 and eventually Dolby Atmos projects. We're ready for the future demand being pushed by some of the larger streaming providers!" Michael commented with a wink and nod.The Key Code Media engineering team, led by Robert Van Kuran and Christel Velasco, connected, installed, labeled, and tested all audio and video systems throughout the room. The system included a half-rack quiet blower, which housed a racked Mac Pro, Avid HD I/O, and Furman Power Conditioner. Genelec 5.1 Audio Monitors surround the room, giving both the audio engineer and clients, sitting at the nearby leather coach, the tools they need to get the perfect mix.A Warehouse of EquipmentWhile the primary focus of the tour was to see the new creative spaces, the Hula team had us make one last stop at their bread-and-butter warehouse. The warehouse is used to bench and prep video and audio suite equipment before it is delivered to customers' locations.Episodic television, unscripted/reality shows, and feature film productions require the flexibility to scale up-and-down depending on the size or stage of any given project. The Hula team has a fleet of editorial and finishing HP Workstations and Apple Mac Pros ready at anytime for productions located throughout California and anywhere in the country. Each system is connected with the necessary reference monitors, speakers, mixers, and furniture- customized based on the production's needs.SummaryThe Hula Post and Key Code Media team complement each other well. For the past 19 years, Key Code Media has considered Hula Post a great customer and partner in the industry.Recently, as part of strategic expansion in building creative facilities for productions, Hula Post turned to Key Code Media to provide equipment, wiring, and installation for a Da Vinci Resolve 4K Finishing Suite with 5.1 monitoring, and a Pro Tools HDX with 6.1 monitoring audio suite. The integration included over 50-line items of products and services, including Avid Pro Tools, and Avid S6 Console, HP-Workstations, Apple Mac Pros, Argosy furniture, Genelec monitors, Blackmagic Resolve, and a variety of converters and cables that connected it all together.keycodemedia.comBURBANK (HQ): 818-303-3900CHICAGO: 224-231-4866DALLAS: 972-248-7905DETROIT: 866-KEY-CODEDENVER: 303-649-9600IRVINE: 949-757-0303NEW YORK: 212-697-1002SAN FRANCISCO: 628-280-2422SEATTLE: 206-728-4000

Held in the heart of Salt Lake at Creative Guild Studio" Woodbury Film Festival celebrates bold visions and powerful voices. Power doesn't always arrive through unflinching determination with loud exclamations. Sometimes it sneaks up on you through subtle but vibrant nuance meticulously woven into the fabric of a narrative-- hidden but visible, silent but bright. "In our first year, our winning feature film went on to get distribution and will be hitting theaters near you! In 2020 we weren't sure how we were going to top the first, but we did it! Director of the festival, Dezi Barr fell in-love with the short Docudrama "Misfit M." That brings life to Marylin Monroe words which had been written months, weeks, and days before her untimely death. Co-Director Chris Adler's favorite was the winning Feature Film "Highline". This documentary follows 5 friends on their journey in the Utah Uintas. It's engaging, gorgeous and makes you want to drop everything for 10 days and hit the trails. To our surprise, we had several wonderful student short films and struggled to award them. We ultimately landed on "A Horsey Name" which will have you in stitches while admiring the beautiful cinematography. In Dezi's words "It felt like I was watching a truly professionally-done film and was even more thrilled to learn it was backed by a female director"Use this code for your special submitter discount: WFF21CHBVisit https://filmfreeway.com/WoodburyFilmFestival or scan this QR Code

Action Picture Cars is an old company with a new name. Howard Brown and Sons Auto Sales, Inc. has been a successful auto sales company for more than thirty years. Action Picture Cars is our new studio rental company. Howard Brown and Sons has been renting picture cars for years and we are now making it our business. We personally own hundreds of cars that fill the needs of many different production companies. We supply vehicles for film, television, commercials, print advertising, videos and much more. We have a wide range of vehicles to choose from. We have show quality period piece vehicles as well as rough and damaged vehicles. We hav eboth late and early model vehicles. Our specialty is damaged vehicles of all years, from Ferraris to Focuses you'll find a large inventory to choose from. We also specialize in matching those damaged vehicles with whole, undamaged vehicles for before and after shots. Our business is located in Sun Valley, California and is only minutes away from most major studios.Action Picture Cars has tow trucks and trailers for all of your transportation needs but, most importantly, we want your business and we will make your rental experience a pleasant one. Owning our cars makes it easy for us to be flexible on our rental prices which, in turn, keeps us very competitive.For references, please don't hesitate to call, as our list is very long. You can see some examples of where our vehicles have been used on the Seen In page. Action Picture Cars truly looks forward to doing business with you in the future.Action Picture Cars can be reached at: 818-767-2355or by e-mail at: rent@actionpicturecars.comactionpicturecars.com