Laurel Canyon Stages News

WEIGHTY NEWS--LITERALLY!

2011-08-30T09:23:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone.

I hope you are all surviving this heat and humidity with appropriate L.A. coolness. But we can count our blessings; LCS extends heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery to all those on the East Coast who suffered through the onslaught of Hurricane Irene.

Okay, onto the heavy news. Just over a week ago, a production shot an enormous high-speed set up on our Stage A. Admittedly, we were a bit nervous to green light the rental as the gaffer and DP wanted to hang multiple 10Ks, 15 5Ks, extra distro and cabling from our grid. Last year, we extended the grid from our two-walled green screen out over the rest of the stage. The old cyc grid is not equipped to hang an abundance of weight, but the new old could probably support a truck. Well, this proved to be the big weight test. The multitude of lights and cabling was hung, and the grid supported all the equipment including a huge two-curtain green screen. Suffice to say that Stage A is well hung.

Among our many ongoing and planned upgrades, we will be replacing the lighting grid directly above our green screen and replacing it with a heavy-duty one that will be as big-boy as our newer grid.

Hey, check out "John Stamos Guide to Cuddling" on the College Humor website. John Stamos and his good bud Bob Saget were chewing up the scenery in one CH's latest comedy sketches. Hilarious, but I laughed until my sides ached when I watched the behind-the-scenes materials. Check it out, you won't be disappointed.

Well thrill-seekers, that's it for now. More news is just around the corner...

Regards,
Mary Claypool, Rental Manager

2011-08-17T09:43:00.000-07:00

Hi gang!

I know, I know, I've been remiss in keeping you all up to date on the latest and greatest goings-on here at LCS. For that, I sincerely apologize. But in my defense, this year has been slammin' busy--the busiest year our stages have had yet. I just haven't had the time sit down and write. There is much to tell.

Throughout the month of June and part of July, we had the pleasure of renting to a top-notch team of filmmakers who shot on our spaceship sets. The director, an A-level visual effects wiz with his own company, set out to make a sci-fi film featuring both his directing and visual effects skills. His talents combined with those of his crew are sure to turn out a fantastic product. We were treated to a viewing of a few short uncut scenes, and the footage looks amazing. Due to non-disclosure, that's all I can say for now.

The rest of July and August were/are/will be packed with an eclectic variety of productions. Last month, a production shot a huge rock video on our green screen featuring the Grammy-nominated singer and instrumentalist, Skylar Grey. Then last week on the same stage, we experienced the wonderful world of Disney via Choo-Choo Soul, a great song and dance show for kids. Again, our stages were bursting at the seams with talent and professionals on this shoot. The performers--both adult and child--were astounding. Aside from acting, singing, and dancing, the two male and female leads (Genevieve Goings and D.C. Abramson) deserved Acadamy Awards in the category of Stamina and Upbeat Attitudes. What pros! Long hours, hot lights, and endless set-ups did not even put a dent in their spirits or wilt their smiles. Walt would be proud.

Just yesterday we had one of the cutest and most fun shoots ever to grace our stage. While I'm not allowed to mention the production name yet, I can say that the 20 stars of the shoot were absolutely purrrrfect. They were are cats! Yes, well-trained adorable kitties doing clever, funny, and downright astounding things. Watch for photos on our website in the near future.

Today, one of our favorite return clients is shooting a commercial; this weekend a very interesting high-speed camera project; next week we have inserts and added shots for a horror film; then our old friends at College Humor are back to close out the month. September and October are going to be filling up with... well, you'll read about that in my next blog.

Building update: We are pleased to announce the replacement of our old overhead elephant doors on Stage A. We now have two new beautiful motorized roll-up doors. They not only open and close with the smoothness of fine silk, they have improved our temperature and sound insulation on the stage. We are gradually, but steadily, making improvements to meet the needs of our clients.

Whew, that's quite a bit. More to come. Until then, happy trails!

Regards,
Mary Claypool, Rental Manager

SUMMER DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!

2011-06-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,

Yes, the dog days of summer are finally upon us. Why not let your production beat the heat in our air conditioned stages? Plus, we can help you stop sweating over those burning budgets with a 5% summer discount* off our base stage rates and equipment rentals throughout July and August. Now that's cool.

Another thing that's cool is the GearNex geared camera head. This award-winning, highly acclaimed precision head can make all the difference on your next shoot. As an authorized GearNex dealer, we invite you to call us and make an appointment to come by try one out. You'll be impressed.

In other news, our sci-fi spaceship sets have never been busier. Thanks to the overwhelming response from the throngs who read our humble little blog, we have postponed indefinitely the demolition and removal of these versatile sets. In fact, they have been undergoing a slow but steady refurbishing, and they are looking great. As long as there is a demand, we hope to continue offering them. Again, thanks for your support.

Also, LCS is proud to welcome its two new employees: Patrick Mason and Angus Hall. After earning a B.A. in Business at Cal Poly Pomona, Patrick found himself stage managing at his alma mater. He went on to be a stage hand at the Wiltern Theatre, then served as a master electrician at The Grove in Upland, Calfornia, as well as various other theatrical venues. Angus, a part-time professional videographer and editor, holds a B.A. in Media Arts from Cal State Long Beach. Angus applies his many skills and talents as our head of marketing. LCS is happy to have them aboard!

Never been to LCS before? Call or email us to schedule a tour, we'd love to show you around. And have a cup o' Joe on us--it's always fresh and free.

Regards,
Mary Claypool, Rental Manager

*This discount cannot be used in combination with other promotional offers or discounts.

MAY DAYS DISCOUNT

2011-05-05T11:43:00.000-07:00

Salutations from LCS.

So far, this year has been bustling and productive with LCS renting to a variety of exciting, talented-laden productions. New and returning customers have graced our stages with projects large and small, and to all of you, we send out a big thank you for choosing Laurel Canyon Stages for your stage rental needs.

To show our appreciation, LCS is offering a discount to renters who book their rentals with us throughout the month of May. We are offering a 10% discount* off of our base stage rate AND we'll throw in our basic 3-ton grip package absolutely FREE! Prime days are still available, so don't wait. Contact us today, and book your shoot at LCS.

Be sure to check back for more updates!

Regards,

Mary Claypool, Rental Manager

*This discount cannot be combined with student discount.

NEWS FROM THE FRONT (OFFICE, THAT IS)

2011-03-21T13:57:00.000-07:00

Howdy one and all:

We're bringing you the latest LCS news that's fit to print.

Laughter's in the air, because we've had a slew of comedy productions renting our facility lately. Just what the world needs right now, a good chuckle. We're glad our stages can be part of the comedic relief.

Pardon our dust! Our Stage B restroom remodel is well under way. The interior has been gutted, the concrete poured, and a bigger, better restroom facility will soon be in. After we complete work on that, a welcome addition of a new kitchenette area will be built adjacent to the new restroom.

Attention Digital Cinema Society members and students! We are continuing our DCS 10% discount off base stage rental rates through the end of May, 2011. We also offer student discounts on stage and equipment rental--please contact our office for additional information.

GearNex announcements: Keep in mind that LCS is offering FREE PRACTICE TIME on our GearNex geared camera head. If you'd like to get some hands-on experience on this superbly machined head, please contact our office at (818) 768-8935 or email mary@lcstages.com to schedule an appointment.

If you are thinking about purchasing/leasing a GearNex head, a $250 manufacturer's rebate will be issued to all approved lease applicants. In addition, GearNex accessories are discounted at 5% off.

CineToys, the creators of the GearNex head, will be featuring their award-winning camera head at NAB next month at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Stop by and catch up on the latest GearNex news.

Well, time for a nice hot mug o' Joe. If you're in the neighborhood, stop in and join us for a cup. The coffee is always fresh and free.

Regards,
Mary Claypool, Rental Manager

GEARNEX NEWS AND LCS REMODEL

2011-03-08T16:16:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody:

LCS would like to thank all of you who attended last Saturday's GearNex seminar. We had a great turnout with a diverse group of attendees ranging from industry professionals to aspiring student filmmakers. Veteran camera operator Michael Frediani offered industry insight drawn from his own experiences, as well as instruction and hands-on instruction on the GearNex geared camera head. Thanks also go out to Bret Allen and Joe Mendoza of CineToys for providing us with the opportunity to feature their GearNex head.

For those who would like to try out the GearNex camera head or just get some more practice time under your belt, LCS invites you to call us to schedule a FREE HAND-ON SESSION with our GearNex head at our facility. Sessions are based on availability and are by appointment only. To schedule a session, please contact our office at (818) 768-8935 or via e-mail: mary@lcstages.com.

Heads up! Quite literally, our Stage B spaceship set restroom has been ripped up and torn out to the 2'x4's. The restroom is being expanded, plus an enclosed kitchenette area will be installed. These and more amenities are currently in progress at LCS, because our goal is to meet and exceed the stage rental needs of our clients.

On a lighter note, check out the latest on-line webisode of "College Humor," who recently shot some hilarious material on our spaceship sets. You can't miss our sets in their Star Wars-esque spoof.

Keep your eyes peeled on our blog for more news and updates.

Regards,
Mary Claypool, Rental Manger

* FREE SATURDAY SEMINAR -- DON'T MISS OUT! *

2011-02-28T13:17:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone:

This is just a reminder that we are hosting a FREE GearNex seminar this Saturday, March 5, 2011 at our facility from 10am to 2:30pm.

This precision-machined camera geared head is created by CineToys, and they will have a GearNex technician here to teach a hands-on class in the use of the head. Class size is limited to 18, but there are still openings. Call us at (818) 768-8935 or email to mary@lcstages.com today to reserve your spot.

See you there!

* GEARNEX SEMINAR *

2011-02-18T12:34:00.000-08:00

Salutations from LCS

We have some exciting news to announce: LCS will be hosting a GearNex seminar on Saturday, March 5, 2011 from 10am to 2:30pm. This seminar is FREE, but seating is VERY LIMITED to ensure small class size and personalized instruction. Learn how to use a geared head, what the differences are between a geared head and a fluid head, and much more. Attendees who complete the course will receive a certification in GearNex usage. This precision camera head, created by CineToys, LLC, was a winner at last year's NAB show. Reserve your spot today! RSVP to Mary at (818) 768-8935 or by e-mail: mary@lcstages.com.

On other fronts, LCS has had a run of fun rentals so far this year. Priceline shot another comically kitsch commercial on our greenscreen stage starring the wonderful William Shatner. Coincidentally, a few weeks later, Michael Dorn who portrayed Worf, the unflappable Klingon officer on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Bob Picardo, the ship's doctor from Star Trek: Voyager graced our stages. It was a regular Star Fleet reunion.

Recently, the talented cast and crew of College Humor were here shooting some side-splitting sketches for some of their upcoming webisodes, and last month, a group of film students from Biola University shot a fantastic short on our spaceship sets for a school project. Our clients really run the gamut, and that's what keep things interesting around here.

Just a reminder that we are still offering a 10% discount off our base stage rentals to Digital Cinema Society member. For more information about the DCS and membership, you can visit their website at digitalcinemasociety.org. LCS also offers student discounts (proof of student status required).

That's it for now, but be sure to check back regularly for updates. And if you're in the neighborhood, stop in for a fresh cup o' joe.

Regards,

Mary Claypool, Rental Manager

LCS DISCOUNTS AND PERKS

2011-01-26T10:05:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody.

So far, the new year has been picking up steam, and we expect 2011 to be our best year ever. We're sending out positive vibes that this will be a banner annum for all of you, too.

In support of the Digital Cinema Society--an outstanding organization dedicated to educating and informing the entertainment community about digital technology within its industry--we are continuing our 2010 20% rental discount offer until the end of January. After that, we will continue to support DCS members by offering 10% off our base stage rentals, as well as equipment.

Students, take notice--LCS currently offers discounts on its base stage rentals and equipment for your productions. Proof of student status and a letter from your school or instructor must be presented at time of booking. Please call us for further details.

For those producers, grips, and gaffers who are looking for a rental stage but already have equipment for their productions, you will be delighted to learn that LCS offers a B.Y.O.G. option--bring your own gear! That's right, we offer you a choice. You can rent lighting and grip equipment from us, or you can bring in your own without restriction. We have ample parking to accommodate trucks and two large roll-up doors for easy stage access. Such a deal!!!

Keep your eyes open for future posts. And don't forget... our coffee is always fresh and free.

Mary Claypool, Rental Manager

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-01-07T16:02:00.000-08:00

Hail and salutations!

The new year is here and well underway. We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and that 2011 is an excellent one for us all.

A lot of new and familiar faces came by the LCS  booth at the December Showbiz Expo in Los Angeles. We shared a booth with Pittsburgh Paint, our green screen and all-purpose stage paint supplier, and we had a great turnout.  We held a random drawing for a chance to win a $100 Nordstrom gift card, and the winner was Bill Linsman of Los Angeles. Congrats, Bill!

This coming year holds much in store for our stages. A slew of more improvements and amenities are in the works, including plans for more lighting, camera, and entertainment technology seminars. As an authorized dealer for GearNex, we will be holding a seminar on the operation of their phenomenal camera heads. The instructional session will be taught by a GearNex tech who is expert in the use of these fluid heads. The date for this exciting event has not yet been set, so check back with us for further developments.

Many of you have been asking if we still have our renown spaceship sets. The answer is a resounding "yes." Our plans to remove them have been postponed indefinitely, but nothing lasts forever. If you have a sci-fi space script gathering dust in your closet, time to pull it out and consider renting our sets.

Keep an eye on our website for more news from LCS, where the coffee is always fresh and free!

   Regards,
   Mary Claypool, Rental Manager

SPACESHIP SETS STILL STANDING!

2010-11-16T11:57:00.000-08:00

Greetings from LCS:

Due to overwhelming response to our last blog posting announcing the imminent end of our Stage B spaceship sets, we have postponed removal of the sets. The phone was ringing off the hook--apparently everyone in town suddenly needed a spacey sci-fi setting. As a result, we will oblige our clients and keep the sets standing through the end of January, and possibly through the end of February, depending on the demand.

We are still planning to install a white cyc on Stage B eventually, including other amenities such as a kitchenette, upstairs production offices, and more.

LCS is also offering a discount through the end of this year to members of the Digital Cinema Society--20% off our base stage rentals.

That's it for now, but check back for more updates. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Regards,
Mary Claypool, Rental Manager

* BEAT THE HEAT SUMMER DISCOUNT *

2010-09-02T10:01:00.000-07:00

Hi folks,

Hot out there, isn't it? Well, we can help you out with our cool summer deal. Throughout the month of September, Laurel Canyon Stages is offering a 10% discount off all rentals. And that's not just off a few services, that's off the bottom line cost of your entire rental! Talk about savings! Call us crazy, but definitely call us!

The last few months were jammed-packed with rentals. Apologies to those of you who we had to turn away, but please don't forget about us. We still love you.

And here's the big news: After many years of faithful service, our standing science fiction spaceship sets will be going into retirement. Yes, it's true. We have decided to remove the sets and build a white screen to meet the ongoing demand for blanc backgrounds. The sets are not scheduled for removal until October or possibly November, so if you've been itching to shoot that sci-fi/thriller/underwater/space music video/alien autopsy project, now is the time before it's too late.

For those of you who are Digital Cinema Society members, keep in mind that Laurel Canyon Stages is extending a 20% discount to you (this promotion cannot be combined with other offers).

Stay tuned for more news and updates. Stay cool!

Mary Claypool, Administration Mike Walsh, Operations Manager

Celebrating our new arrival!

2010-07-27T11:14:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody!

We are thrilled to announce our new arrival: A beautiful bouncing GearNex camera head! Actually, there is no bouncing--quite the contrary. The precision movement on this gorgeous piece of equipment is as smooth as the proverbial baby's behind. We're eager to show it off, so come check it out. As an authorized GearNex dealer, we are selling these heads out of our on-site expendable store, plus we plan to schedule GearNex demonstrations and seminars at our facility toward the end of the year. Keep an eye on our blogs for information on these and other upcoming events.

Upgrade update: Our overhead lighting grid on Stage A has been expanded! It now measures over 50' X 100', which covers the green screen and most of the stage floor area. Plus, due to popular demand, we have added directors chairs and new lightweight, 6' folding tables to our rental inventory. We try our darndest to meet the stage rental needs of our clients, so when you talk, we listen. Your feedback is always welcome, because we take suggestions and comments into serious consideration.

Well, gotta go. It's busy, busy, busy right now. Catch you later.

Mary Claypool, Administration Mike Walsh, Operations Manager

WE ARE EXPENDABLE (STORE, THAT IS!)

2010-07-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

It's been a while since our last blog, and much has happened around LCS in that time.

Aside from our on-going facelift and a steady stream of rentals, we are pleased to announce the grand opening of our new on-site expendable store. We now offer a range of commonly-used stage supplies such as adhesives, batteries, black wrap foil, gels, rope, work gloves, electric meters, and a lot more, including office and janitorial supplies. No more on-set delays because your grip is out of clothes pins; spare your poor production assistant from scouring the city in search of coffee cups and WD-40 at 1am Sunday morning; tell your AD or coordinator not to worry--we stock plenty of paperclips, staples, and scissors.

We have also been listening to suggestions and comments from some of our clients who are independent filmmakers and DSLR content providers. In order to meet their specific production needs, we will be carrying camera and grip gear/equipment from Modern Studio Equipment and lighting kits from Cinemills.

The bottom line is we are here to provide your production with an excellent stage experience and to offer freedom from inconveniences that detract from accomplishing your film, photo, or video project. If you've never been to our stages, we invite you to schedule a tour. If you haven't been here in a while, you'll be impressed by all the upgrades. And remember... our coffee is always fresh, tasty, and free.

Mary Claypool, Administration Mike Walsh, Operations Manager

2010-06-10T10:18:00.000-07:00

Greetings one and all.

Things are busy, busy, busy around here--not only with upgrades and renovations, but productions have been pounding at our doors. Let's hope it's a sign that the economy is picking up.

The other day, the popular web series "The Guild" shot some game-world footage on our green screen stage. What a delightful, fun, and talented bunch. We can't reveal any plot spoilers about what they where shooting, but judging from what we got to see, it's no surprise why the show is a huge hit.

Last month, Immigrant Films shot a brilliant interstitial that will be shown on the Jumbotron screens at the soccer World Cup in South Africa. They brought in a ton of dirt, repainted our cyclorama to resemble an African savannah, and dressed the dirt foreground with foliage. The set looked amazing, as did the costumes and props.

A slew of commercials have been pouring in, as well as music videos, promos, and even full-length indies. Each production is unique, but some are more so than others. Like the time the Challenger Space Center shot on our spaceship sets for a Korean theme park attraction. Dr. William Gutch, the DP, is also a rocket scientist (no joke!), and he trained in photography in case he had to hop onto the space shuttle at a moment's notice in order to capture footage of cosmic phenomena. I doubt there's an on-line course for that.

The History Channel shot on our spaceship sets, too. According to the producer, it was an alien re-enactment. "You mean 'dramatization?'" I asked. He looked at me and slowly said, "Ri-i-i-ght..." Hmmm... Does he hold inside knowledge about Area 51?

I am an Animal Planet fan, and I was thrilled when they taped several episodes here. My favorite was the Animal Planet Christmas special. It was a regular Noah's Arc on our Stage A green screen: A camel, elephant, llama, dogs, monkeys--all kinds of critters. I recall that the wolves stood stock still in their kennels and stared intently at the squirrels and other small creatures. They eventually had to be moved outside, because they made their furry co-stars too nervous to perform. I also recall that we had to include a special "clean-up clause" for that particular rental.

We realize that each production has its own individual and specific needs. Our goal is to be flexible for our clients and to offer an excellent and self-sufficient environment in which to achieve their production goals. Come by and see what we have to offer. The tour is free and so is the coffee.

Best regards,

Mary Claypool, Administration Michael Walsh, Operations Manager

* LCS UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT *

2010-06-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Laurel Canyon Stages! The big news is that our stages are undergoing major changes in the way of renovation, equipment upgrades, and stage management. LCS is now able to offer clients a wide array of lighting, electrical, and grip equipment, as well as industrial lifts (forklifts, scissors lifts, cherry pickers, etc.).

In addition, we are proud to announce that Laurel Canyon Stages has become an authorized dealer of the GearNex camera gear head from CineToys, LLC. The innovative precision device was recognized at this year's NAB event in Las Vegas, winning the Best of Show Videy Award for Videography.

Plus, we are meeting the needs of our clients by not only offering flexible equipment packages, but a new full-service expendable supply store is in the works. Need gels, tape, sash cord, and other goodies for your crew at the last minute? We'll have it. Come on in!

Keep your eyes peeled for our new postings, updates, and upcoming specials.