In July, Denny Clairmont announced his retirement. His career and accomplishments are truly one of a kind in our industry. Denny and his brother Terry founded Clairmont camera in 1976, and it became one of the world’s most prestigious movie equipment and camera rental companies, known for its innovation as well as top quality equipment and service. Denny Clairmont is one of the founding members of PERA, the organization that eventually evolved into PERG as part of ESTA.
We asked some of our members for their thoughts on Denny’s legacy. Taken together, his peers show some of the ways Clairmont truly influenced the whole industry, placing a high bar for excellence and innovation, and personifying the forward-looking, engaged, generous character of a professional rental house.
If you have thoughts you would like to share about Denny’s legacy, please send them to PERG Manager, Harry Box.
Denny Clairmont in all sincerity is one-of-a-kind, and has left an indelible impression upon this industry that will stand the test of time.
Denny invested heavily in his employees, fostering an environment where such fantastic developments as the Image Shaker, the Squishy Lens (the list goes on and on) could come to fruition, enhancing his client’s toolset.
All of the awards and kudos Denny has received over the years - be it the special John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation from the Academy or the Bud Stone award the ASC bestowed upon him recently - are a testament to the kind of person he is.
Lastly, you have to give him credit for all the ways he gave back to the community, most especially helping out all of the myriad of students over the years.
Denny Clairmont is truly a class act and we wish him all the very best upon his retirement.
Robert Keslow (Keslow Camera)
When I was at Samuelson Film Services - then the European agents for Panavision - we would often have meetings at the headquarters of Panavision in Los Angeles. However when in town we would always also visit Clairmont Camera to see what innovation Denny was working on and, suitably inspired return to the UK determined to offer a similarly imaginative and bespoke service to our clients.
His passion for thinking outside the conventional product box led to us create unique lenses, accessories and even putting a BNCR mount on a Panaflex (briefly) and I am sure he inspired others around the world to do the same. The tools available to Cinematographers have been enhanced thank to Denny and his team.
Simon Broad (CineMoves)
Over the years, Denny was always there for me to offer advice. Even when we were a small video rental house with a couple of Digi-Betacams, Denny took an appointment and helped guide me into the Digital Cinema business. I am extremely grateful.
I specifically remember arguing with my father about the financial merits of replacing all of our Sony F900 base plates with the Chrosziels version which was much more stable. My father maintained, “If we are not going to rent the camera for a nickel more and our local competitors were not going to make a change, then why should we make that investment?” I remember simply saying, “This is something Denny would do.” My father immediately agreed to make the purchase.
Thomas Fletcher (Fujinon)
Both Denny and Terry Clairmont were always very giving of their time to help anyone solve a problem. Even prior to my having an actual business relationship with Clairmont Camera, both Denny and Terry would help me understand what technically could have gone wrong on a film shoot and hence, I was able to use that information to convince insurance carriers for production companies to pay reshoot claims that otherwise might have been denied. It was the generosity of their spirit, their expertise in their field and their willingness to help others that will remain the greatest gifts that they gave to the industry.
From a PERG perspective Denny was instrumental in reviving our association at a point in time when it could have gone the other way and ended. A special thanks to Denny and Terry for setting the bar of excellence high.
Scott Taylor (Taylor & Taylor Associates)
When you think about the long-lasting history of camera rental houses, it is near impossible to not have Denny Clairmont’s name come to mind. Denny has been a staple in shaping our service industry and has brought a tremendous wealth and knowledge to the world of cinematography. From all of us at Daufenbach Camera, we wish Denny a happy retirement and we thank you for your many years in the business.
Lawrence Daufenbach (Daufenbach Camera)
I think I first met Denny Clairmont at Clairmont Engel in about 1978. I was in LA looking to purchase my first 35mm camera and had been advised that Denny was a good contact to discuss cameras with. And he was!
I finally purchased my first 35mm camera, an ARRI 2C, from Harry Walsh, a retiring Florida DP, in March 1979, and that launched me on the road to being a camera rental house in Seattle, with later shops in Portland and San Francisco.
As I grew Oppenheimer Camera, Denny and his brother Terry were always supportive and helpful. Denny's techs did service work for me and later trained some of my techs. Denny was always giving of time and expertise. We were able to subrent from Clairmont Camera to supplement our inventory as we grew.
Denny was one of us who joined together to established PERA in the very early 1990’s and PERA was great because competitors were able to come together, often at dinner in the early days, working, despite friendly competition, to better our industry.
For almost 40 years I’ve been proud to count Denny as a friend and colleague. The industry has certainly changed, often not for the better, but I know our industry is better for many of the innovations developed at Clairmont Camera. Robert Keslow and company are a fine fit to take on the mantle developed by Denny and Terry, but the industry just won’t be the same without Clairmont Camera.
Marty Oppenheimer (Oppenheimer Camera Products)
