PERG Newsletter: January 2025

     

| PERG News: January 2025 | 

In This Issue:

PERG Updates

RENTAL GUARD, Coffee Breaks, PERG Calendar events, Protocol and more. Read more...

Letter from the PERG Chair

PERG extends our heartfelt support and solidarity to all those who continue to be affected by the devastating situation in California. Read more...

Identity Verification, ESTA Announces Major New Member Benefit

Plaid’s slogan is, “More customers, minus the fraudsters.” Plaid uses a streamlined process that takes only a couple minutes and provides information that can tell you if a new "customer" is a risk. Read more...

Thoughts About PERG in 2025

Now, more than ever, it's vital that the rental industry come together as a community. I am inviting you to join us at our live events at NAB, Cine Gear, and our other events, where we can connect face to face, share insights, and discuss the anticipated return of our industry. Read more...

The Return of Ryan Roman and Other Reasons to Use the QCA

Ryan Roman’s name appears in sixteen different reports on RENTAL GUARD. He is what you might call a regular. Between June 2022 and 2023 Roman tried to hit almost every rental company out there. Read more...

PERG Member Survey

PERG ran a six-question member survey between Jan 7 and Jan 21 for the purpose of getting member input on PERG programing for 2025. There were 38 respondents to the survey. Here’s what we found out. Read more...

EWI Candidates Turn Learned Skills into New Careers
EWI Candidates Turn Learned Skills into New Careers by EWI Coordinator, Alison Cupples, was published in Protocol, Winter 2025. EWI is about to begin its third year providing grants to rental companies and bringing diverse employees into the workforce. Read more...

In Protocol:

• Getting to net zero production: part 1 by Guy Holt
  Given the climate emergency, getting to net zero in the production of entertainment events must be a top priority. Read more in Protocol...

• Getting to net zero production: part 2 by Guy Holt
  In part one of this series, we discovered that it is possible to get to net zero production with battery energy storage systems (BESSs) that can be paralleled to increase capacity and runtime. Read more in Protocol...

BTS Announces New Webinar on Dealing with Substance Use in the Workplace

The Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative announces a new webinar Dealing with Substance Use in the Workplace: Why and How We Should Help. Read more...

PERG Updates

| PERG News: January 2025 |

 

PERG Coffee Break - Sony BURANO Firmware Version 2

February 5th, 10 am Pacific, 11 am Mountain, 12 pm Central, 1 pm Eastern

Join us as Sony gives PERG members a preview of the BURANO’s new firmware coming in March. BURANO Version 2.0 will include additional recording modes, added support for SDI output, proxy recording and more. Sony’s team will share where the BURANO is currently being used, who has tested the firmware, and more.

[REGISTER]

PERG Public Calendar. Did you hear about a PERG a Coffee Break or a training event or user group meeting, but you don’t know when it is? Check the PERG Public Calendar. 

Suggestions. Did you have an idea you’d like to suggest to PERG? We are all ears. Talk to a peer on the PERG Council or shoot Harry an email or post something on the PERG General Slack channel. Want an invitation to join PERG’s Slack channel? Please contact the PERG Manager.

Did you know? Did you know that you get a subscription to Protocol with your PERG membership? Protocol is a unique quarterly publication—a technical journal for professionals in the entertainment technology industry featuring columns and articles on business, technical topics, standards issues, certification developments, trade shows, and PERG programs. This issue of the PERG Newsletter features two excellent stories from Protocol’s Winter issue. Every member should receive a physical copy of the journal. If you aren't, let us know!

RENTAL GUARD. In our recent survey, 21% of PERG members said they are not sure if everyone at their company is receiving alerts who should be. Over the past two years, many rental companies have had personnel changes. Consequently, PERG deleted RENTAL GUARD accounts that bounced emails. Are the appropriate people at your company still receiving RENTAL GUARD alerts? Go to Missingequipment.org to re-register.

Letter from the PERG Chair

| PERG News: January 2025 |

January 14, 2025

To our friends, members, and colleagues in Los Angeles. The City of Dreams. The City of Angels.

PERG extends our heartfelt support and solidarity to all those who continue to be affected by the devastating situation in California. Our thoughts are with each of you—whether you’re dealing with the impact of the fires directly or standing alongside loved ones and neighbors during this challenging time.

We stand with you in solidarity and are ready to offer any assistance we can, whether that’s through resources, support, or simply being there for one another.

We are PERG. We are community. 

Sally Spaderna,
Koerner Camera.
PERG Chair, 2025

Identity Verification, ESTA Announces Major New Member Benefit

| PERG News: January 2025 |

See a Demonstration at PERG Coffee Break
Until now, sophisticated automated identification verification services have been out of reach for many ESTA/PERG members. Plaid is one of the leading services trusted by over 8000 leading brands. ESTA is thrilled to make the service available and affordable to ESTA members by a special arrangement with Plaid that leverages our collective buying power as a trade association. 

PERG will be hosting a Coffee Break demonstration on February 11th. We’ll demonstrate the verification process, show the results that Plaid provides, and describe the on-boarding process for companies that are interested in having their own Plaid dashboard.

February 11th, 10 am PT, 11am Mountain, 12 pm Central, 1 pm Eastern

[REGISTER]

Level-up Your Fraud-Detection Powers
Plaid’s slogan is, “More customers, minus the fraudsters.” Plaid uses a streamlined process that takes only a couple minutes and provides information that can tell you if a new "customer" is a risk. We are hopeful that access to Plaid will greatly enhance new-customer vetting procedures, save staff time, provide greater peace of mind, and help save companies from serious losses due to fraud. If you detect a bad actor, you can share that information via RENTAL GUARD and benefit the entire community.

What Does Plaid Do and How Does it Work?
The Plaid system confirms a customer’s identity information in less than three minutes, while simultaneously analyzing a wide range of risk signals. These include device and IP checks, email checks, phone checks, stolen and synthetic identity risk scoring, network risk checks, and behavioral analytics. 

To verify a customer, your staff generates a link in Plaid that you email or text to the customer. Plaid uses a photo of the customer’s ID and a selfie to check against regulated data sources. Plaid checks whether email and phone number are new, disposable, or associated with a data breach. It detects the use of VPN or Tor for time zone and geolocation mismatch. It looks for fabricated, manipulated, or stolen identity information. And it performs behavioral analysis on things like typing speed, accuracy, and method of data entry to identify behavior typically associated with risky individuals, fraud rings, or bots.

What do I Get and What does in Cost?
When members enroll, they are provided their own easy-to-use Plaid dashboard, co-branded with your company logo along and ESTA's logo. There is an annual fee of $500 for the account, plus a fee per verification (see below). ESTA creates log-in credentials for as many of your employees as you wish so they each can create verification links and check results. You can customize your company's dashboard with the risk rules you want Plaid to use and set to your risk tolerance level to create a consistent go/no-go determination across your company.

You can send the verification link to the customer via your email client or, for a small additional fee, send the links via SMS via ESTA's SMS service provider. ($5/month, billed quarterly with your verification usage billing).

Fixed Fees

• Plaid Account  $500/yr.
• SMS link sending  $5 per month, billed quarterly (Optional)

Per Use Fees (billed quarterly)

• U.S. IDs  $5/verification
• Canada and UK IDs  $6/verification
• IDs frsom all other countries  $8/verification

In a recent RENTAL GUARD report, a Sony Burano was rented and not returned. The paperwork was flawless, the references checked out, the insurance was verified, and the credit card went through. The reason the rental appeared normal was that the person renting the equipment was using a good fake ID of a real person. A Plaid verification would have identified this fraud. The fraudsters would not even have been able to complete the verification. In fact, it is quite likely that when you tell fraudsters that they need to complete an ID verification, that they will never complete it and just disappear from your Friday afternoon.

Thieves have become better and better and personifying producers. Rental companies need more sophisticated tools to root them out. We are very hopeful that Plaid will give them that boost!  

Thoughts About PERG in 2025

| PERG News: January 2025 |

Now, more than ever, it's vital that the rental industry come together as a community. I am inviting you to join us at our live events at NAB, Cine Gear, and our other events, where we can connect face to face, share insights, and discuss the anticipated return of our industry.

PERG events and meetings provide an invaluable opportunity to hear from one another, share experiences, and think about strategies that can help everyone navigate these challenges. Your participation and insights are crucial as we work towards revitalizing our industry.

PERG’s theme for 2025 is community—the central role of professional rental companies within their production communities. If your marketing folks are posting about an industry event you are hosting, training you are providing, a food drive you are holding, or other leadership you are demonstrating, let PERG know. We want to show how rental companies all over the country serve their communities. We have opened a Slack channel dedicated to communicating with our social media director. Let’s connect.

PERG is eager to reflect and amplify the commitment of our members to their communities because we need our production partners to recognize that there is no substitute for professional customer service, technical knowledge, depth of inventory, and ability to source equipment. There is no replacement for the training and knowledge that the community gains from the rental houses. For many years, rental companies have seen market forces increasingly eating away our resources and threatening the profitability and health of rental businesses. Now is the time that producers, UPMs, DPs and crew recognize that we are their partners in production, that we support them, but that we too have suffered hit after hit over the past few years. We need our partnership to have some give and take. Their expectations of us are high, and so are our expectations of ourselves. But it is more than a possibility that if things go on as they are, there will be a decline in service and consolidation in the industry. We are focused on demonstrating the excellence of our members and working with our partners in a spirit of mutual respect. The rental community has a responsibility to find the right business model to meet our needs while maintaining the culture of excellence that is our guiding principle and that our clients depend on. Navigating this is very tricky, but it is what we must do, for our future, and that of the production community.

The Return of Ryan Roman and Other Reasons to Use the QCA

| PERG News: January 2025 |

Ryan Roman’s name appears in sixteen different reports on RENTAL GUARD. He is what you might call a regular. Between June 2022 and 2023 Roman tried to hit almost every rental company out there. Rental companies know his name, they don’t even have to check RENTAL GUARD’s Watch List. It is like a bad joke that is still being retold again and again. “Oh, not that one again!”

Yet Ryan and other criminals are still making the rounds, renting equipment from small rental companies, private owners, and peer-to-peer marketplaces and disappearing with the equipment. 

Our concern is not that PERG members are going to fall for Roman anymore, but that, given layoffs over the past two years, that rental companies may no longer have their staff registered to get RENTAL GUARD alerts for the NEXT Ryan Roman. I have removed a great many names from RENTAL GUARD’s registry over the past six months because the alert emails were bouncing. Later this year, when the industry starts to get busy again, every rental company will want to have all the appropriate people registered to receive alerts, report questionable customers, and (please no) make theft reports if necessary. You do not want to be hassling with registration when you are dealing with all the fallout of an equipment theft, you just want to make the report.

Many rental companies have joined with local networks to communicate fraud information to other houses they are friendly with. That’s great, as far as it goes. However, to make a real impact on theft, we need the whole industry to be aware of identified threats. We need people in New York to know about the guy who just hit a company in LA (or anywhere in between), and vice versa, because he could be at their doorstep tomorrow. The way to do that is by making a Questionable Customer Alert in RENTAL GUARD. 

Theft affects everyone. It affects insurance rates. It affects availability of hard-to-find gear. It makes our industry less profitable. RENTAL GUARD has been successful in enabling companies to avoid fraud, to involve law enforcement, and sometimes to even recover equipment and make arrests. Companies can push back in a meaningful way when we work together. The way to handle theft that involves the least cost and hardship is to avoid it in the first place. Everyone knows, once the equipment is out the door, the chance of recovery drops significantly. For this reason, the Questionable Customer Alert is probably the most important feature of RENTAL GUARD. We urge everyone to use it whenever you reject a client because they seem suspicious.

If you are not a member of PERG, consider joining so you can access the member-only fraud detection features of RENTAL GUARD (among other reasons!).

PERG Member Survey

| PERG News: January 2025 |

PERG ran a six-question member survey between Jan 7 and Jan 21 for the purpose of getting member input on PERG programing for 2025. There were 38 respondents to the survey. Thanks to all those who participated! Your input is essential and appreciated!

Here’s what we found out.

NAB. 45% of people who normally attend NAB plan to attend this year. 26% who normally attend say they will not be there this year.

Cine Gear. 66% of people who normally attend Cine Gear plan to go this year. 13% who normally attend say they will not be there this year.

Coffee Break Ideas. We asked for your ideas for possible PERG Coffee Breaks. Here are some of the ideas we received: 

• Emerging software and A.I. tools, technological advancements for the rental industry, and how the technology will shape the future of rentals
• Cooperation among competition, market consolidation. Strategic alliance professionals. It’s time that rental houses start to merge in order to remain strong in an ever-challenging industry.
• Fighting fraud, fraud trends, and evolution 
• Crew Gear. The eleven-hundred-pound gorilla in the room. Evaporating rental house revenue as a result of third party supplied gear.
• State of production in So. Cal. Effect of fires on production in So. Cal.
• Inventory management systems
• New equipment, technical updates, and technology trends
• Continued Rental Works User Group meetings
• Now when the industry seems to be changing so dramatically, it would be helpful to hear from industry visionaries as to what the road ahead might look like.
• Ensuring film/tv production remains in the US and avoids going abroad for cost or logistic reasons.
• Career change opportunities… within the industry or in order to leave it. AI training and support.
• Current Industry status, news, and ideas
• New battery technology for lighting. Address lifecycle (longevity of product), care, compatibility issues, user training, etc.
• Focus on lighting & grip
• Business practices
• Production Safety
• Healthcare for employees
• Ways that member companies are driving revenue and business health outside of Film/TV
• Insurance and Rental Contracts
• Focus on Camera Gear
• Focus on Lenses
• Employment issues
• What is most important to customers when working with suppliers
• Industry equipment QC processes
• Vetting unknown rental customers techniques 
• How much insurance do rental houses really need 
• Dealing with influx of owner operator equipment and rental house equipment.
• Speakers are not important to us. Just look forward to seeing everyone.
• Equipment manufacturers experts presenting a look "under the hood" as to how to maintain and optimize life expectancy of their offerings.

Plaid. Rate your interest in having access to Plaid Identity Verification service. Overall, 74% if respondents were very interested or extremely interested.

•  32% Extremely interested
•  42% Very interested
•  18% Somewhat interested
•  8% Not at all interested

PERG EWI. If PERG launches a new round of grants in April, how likely is your company be hiring in Q2 and Q3 and to apply to participate in EWI?

• 6 companies say they will apply.
• 10 companies say they are likely to apply.
• 22 companies are not likely or will not apply.

RENTAL GUARD. Are the appropriate people at your company still receiving RENTAL GUARD alerts?

• 21% are not sure if everyone is receiving alerts who should be.
  (Go to Missingequipment.org to re-register.) 
• 66% said the appropriate people are receiving alerts

EWI Candidates Turn Learned Skills into New Careers

| PERG News: January 2025 |

EWI Candidates Turn Learned Skills into New Careers by EWI Coordinator, Alison Cupples, was published in Protocol, Winter 2025. EWI is about to begin its third year providing grants to rental companies and bringing diverse employees into the workforce. Netflix, the program’s sponsor, has committed to continuing the program through 2025. The new round of grants will be launched in April at NAB. Rental companies are encouraged to sign up NOW, if you may be hiring in the 3rd or 4th quarters of 2025 and interested in participating in EWI. 

[Read the article in Protocol.] 

Don't miss an issue! Subscribe to Protocol for free!

BTS Announces New Webinar on Dealing with Substance Use in the Workplace

| PERG News: January 2025 |

The Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative announces a new webinar Dealing with Substance Use in the Workplace: Why and How We Should Help. 

We have all come across a situation where someone you worked with showed clear signs of problematic use of drugs or alcohol in the workplace. Have you wondered why you might want to help – and how you could help? Have you wondered if you have obligations based on your position? This webinar, developed by our Substance Use Task Group, will provide answers to some of these questions and help prepare you to take positive action. 

Substance misuse has reached epidemic proportions in our society and in our industry. If you haven’t already, it’s very likely you will encounter someone with this problem in your workplace – it could be anyone: a co-worker, a manager, someone who reports to you.

• Do you know how to recognize the signs and symptoms?
• Do you know why you should start a conversation with them and how to do so?
• Do you know the resources and treatment options available?

This interactive webinar, developed by industry professionals with lived experience and an addiction specialist, offers tips and tools to assist you in responding to this situation.  

Topics include:

• Why you should help
• What is addiction and how to recognize the signs and symptoms
• Having a conversation with the person you are concerned about
• Following up with treatment options and industry resources
• What if the person doesn’t want to stop?
• Brief overview of union and employer obligations

The webinar will be held on Monday, February 10th at 7pm EST. Please register in advance to be sent the login link at btshelp.org/workplace. 

You can see all the Behind the Scenes resources on alcohol and substance misuse at btshelp.org/substanceuse. 

PERG Newsletter: November 2024

     

| PERG News: November 2024 | 

In This Issue:

Deadline for 2024 EWI Grants
Rental companies wishing to participate in the 2024 PERG EWI program are coming up on the final deadline. Grants will only be available for a few more weeks, until November 29th. Companies are urged to apply by completing a simple online form during the next two weeks. Read more...

EWI Coffee Breaks
One of the ways that PERG supports the training efforts of our members who hire new workers under the EWI is to host educational EWI Coffee Breaks. In this series, industry vendors, manufacturers, and rental companies give presentations on topics that are essential to any employee’s understanding of entertainment technology and the rental industry. Read more...

Register now for Zeiss CinCraft Scenario Camera Tracking System
In our seventh session of Informative PERG EWI Coffee Breaks, we will hear from the team at Zeiss about their new real-time camera tracking system. Read more...

AICP/PERG Oktoberfest Rooftop Celebration
On October 1st the AICP and PERG once again cohosted the annual Oktoberfest Party. Over 120 AICP and PERG members attended the event from all around New York and Brooklyn. Read more...

PERG Rental Works User Group
The next PERG Rental Works User Group meeting starring Melissa Guzman (Implementation Manager at Rental Works) with a fabulous supporting cast of PERG Rental Companies! Read more...

Tiger Commercial & Industrial: Upcoming Auctions
Tiger Commercial & Industrial is hosting a series of upcoming auctions featuring high-quality AV gear, digital equipment, and real estate from renowned names in AV production and event technology. Read more...

Behind the Scenes Wellness Lounge and Shine a Light Campaign Return to LDI 2024
Following on the intense interest shown last year, Behind the Scenes and LDI are pleased to bring back the Wellness Lounge to LDI 2024, December 8-10 in Las Vegas. Read more...

A Limited Number of BTS Holiday Card Packs and Electronic Cards are Still Available!
The 2024 Behind the Scenes Holiday Cards are still available for purchase as card packs and E-cards online at the BTS Boutique. This year’s collection features six different designs created especially for the charity by Ola Kraszpulska, Rick Martin, Robert Mendoza, and Court Watson. Read more...

 

Deadline for 2024 EWI Grants

| PERG News: November 2024 |

Rental companies wishing to participate in the 2024 PERG EWI program are coming up on the final deadline. Grants will only be available for a few more weeks, until November 29th. Companies are urged to apply by completing a simple online form during the next two weeks. Completing the application does not commit you to anything, it is just a necessary preliminary step to get you in the system and, if you want, it can bring EWI Program resources to aid in finding you a suitable new employee. 

Despite slow business, the 2024 EWI Program has been successful in its mission of helping rental companies to hire and train people from diverse backgrounds. The PERG program, which is sponsored by Netflix, pays all employee salary and payroll expenses for the first six months of employment. Participating companies provide the trainees with a diverse range of experiences, working and observing how rental companies serve clients. 

So far this year, four rental companies have stepped up to partner in EWI, ARRI (LA), Becine (LA), Lux Lighting (New York), and Serious Grippage (Albuquerque). At the outset of their employment, trainees are asked to set specific goals for technical skills, soft skills, and networking and define how they will know when they have achieved those goals. As some of our candidates hit their halfway point, they have been hitting many of the goals they set at the beginning and are setting new goals. EWI Coordinator, Alison Cupples, reflects that “watching these candidates achieve their goals ahead of schedule and grow into integral parts of their team at each rental house has been incredibly rewarding. Our industry is built on mentorship and networking which are pillars of the EWI program. Only 3 months in our candidates are connecting with local union leaders, filmmakers, and gaining insight into how and why decisions are made at rental houses and on set.”  As our candidates get involved with planning industry events at their rental houses they see the importance of the rental company’s role within the production community. The new employees have shown that they care about their work and are finding it rewarding to work with their teams.

All the participating companies are very happy with their hires. Trainees report gains weekly. For example, one trainee reported paying attention to the detail of client preferences and understanding how it affects their job. Another trainee prepped a truck for a rental and had the opportunity to jump on set with the same truck the next day giving her hands on experience with exactly why items should be packed in a certain way. Another trainee reports learning all about subrentals one week. She has gotten so good with the gear menus and accessories that she familiarizes other employees and has been assigned the task of processing newly acquired gear into their inventory system, which involves problem solving and reallocating warehouse space. In addition to the valuable experiences at their respective rental houses, the candidates have the opportunity to learn about a new camera in a PERG EWI Coffee Break hosted by Sony, and its specific place in the market. (PERG has hosted seven EWI Coffee Breaks so far with more to come. See EWI Coffee Breaks elsewhere in this Newsletter). 

The program launched at NAB in April. Eight grants allocated for EWI 2024, four or which have been awarded. The lack of production has made it difficult for many companies to think about hiring. Consequently, four grants remain available to PERG members as the award period reaches its end. Companies can still take advantage of the program companies if they move quickly and get their application completed within the next couple weeks and work to hire before December.

EWI Coffee Breaks

| PERG News: November 2024 |

One of the ways that PERG supports the training efforts of our members who hire new workers under the EWI is to host educational EWI Coffee Breaks. In this series, industry vendors, manufacturers, and rental companies give presentations on topics that are essential to any employee’s understanding of entertainment technology and the rental industry. While the series is targeted to employees in the early stages of their careers, the sessions are available to ALL employees of PERG/ESTA members on our YouTube channel. The EWI program is sponsored by Netflix. 

PERG is grateful to everyone who has participated. The ongoing series continues to build a valuable library for use by PERG members into the future. It was particularly exciting to have rental house leadership themselves speaking about their businesses in the two sessions titled Running a Successful Rental Business. It is rare that we get to hear veterans from our part of the industry share their knowledge, experience, and passion for doing what PERG members do. Special thanks go to Anna Mayo (CFO/Owner MP&E Cameras and Lighting), Michael Koerner (Owner Koerner Camera Systems), Sam Gordon and Ryan Halsey (Manager and Owner, respectively, at Serious Grippage & Light Co.) and Hans Gelpke (General Manager at Lux Lighting). The panelists represent very different market types and company types, so the discussion had multiple perspectives. But the real take away was the challenges and concerns that all rental companies share, which they spoke about with equal candor.

If you have thoughts about topics for future educational sessions, please share them with us! Contact perg@esta.org.

Presentations so far:

Running a Successful Rental Company, Part I, The Client Experience

EWI Coordinator, Alison Cupples, moderates a panel of veteran rental house principals including Anna Mayo (CFO/Owner MP&E Cameras and Lighting), Michael Koerner (Owner Koerner Camera Systems), Sam Gordon (Manager of Serious Grippage & Light Co.). They discuss the client's experience from the initial request for a quote through the final invoicing stage. What goes into creating the ultimate client experience aimed at fostering a life-long, faithful client base in your local market? 

Running a Successful Rental Company, Part II, The Equipment Life Cycle

EWI Coordinator, Alison Cupples, moderates a panel of veteran rental house principals including Hans Gelpke (General Manager at Lux Lighting), Michael Koerner (Owner Koerner Camera Systems), Ryan Halsey (Owner of Serious Grippage & Light Co.). They discuss the life cycle of the equipment from the purchasing decision, service, rental, to retirement or sale. How do rental companies make purchasing decisions and how do they maintain the equipment so that it stays in tip-top shape for every rental? 

Top Things to Know about Sony Cinema Cameras

Sony Master Trainer and DP Katie Eleneke and award-winning Director of Photography Michael Pessah, ASC, present a practical orientation and demonstration of Sony digital cinema cameras. Eleneke demonstrates the Sony’s Cinema Line, while Pessah provides practical examples of how he uses their features and his experiences. The presenters discuss the important role rental companies have in supporting productions and their crews.

The Role of the Lens Technician with Matthew Duclos

Matthew Duclos, Master Lens Technician and Engineer at Duclos Lenses, shares his expertise to guide aspiring professionals into the field of cinema lens technician. He covers essential knowledge, technical skills, and career paths, offering insights into lens anatomy, necessary education, and industry trends. This presentation provides a clear and inspiring roadmap to a successful career in cinema lens technology from one of the industry's leading experts.

Introduction to (Lighting Control) Data Types and Technologies with ETC

Lighting Control is a vital part on every film set. Patrick Stewart, Outreach and Training Specialist at ETC, discusses the history of lighting fixture control exploring how and why DMX has become the industry standard. Through this journey we learn how the DMX signal is transported, about basic lighting systems, and how current technologies are developing with an eye to the future.

Introduction to Lighting Controls with ETC

Patrick Stewart, Outreach and Training Specialist at ETC, discusses different types of consoles and their applications giving a deeper understanding of the real-world practices and control philosophies.

Register now for Zeiss CinCraft Scenario Camera Tracking System

| PERG News: November 2024 |

Next meeting: Tuesday November 5, 10 am PT, 11 am, MT, 12 pm CT, and 1 pm ET.

In our seventh session of Informative PERG EWI Coffee Breaks, we will hear from the team at Zeiss about their new real-time camera tracking system. The Zeiss CinCraft Scenario system works in natural environments or on traditional studio film sets with blue or green screens as well as in full virtual studios. The system utilizes natural markers, reflective markers, and digital markers on LED screens to provide camera tracking data for real-time use that is also recorded for use in post-production.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend!

Have you missed one of PERG previous EWI Coffee Breaks?
You can find them here:

• Part I, The Client Experience: https://youtu.be/nPUZZnBHISQ
• Part II, The Equipment Life Cycle: https://youtu.be/zrb4i2ht-bI
• Top Things to Know about Sony Cinema Cameras: https://youtu.be/55z7JSvuVTg
• The Role of the Lens Technician with Matthew Duclos: https://youtu.be/aKQwUfvgPzI
• Introduction to Data Types and Technologies with ETC: https://youtu.be/CX6oeqnaSNU
• Introduction to Lighting Controls with ETC: https://youtu.be/KIF4XBBl5Dc

AICP/PERG Oktoberfest Rooftop Celebration

| PERG News: November 2024 |

On October 1st the AICP and PERG once again cohosted the annual Oktoberfest Party. Over 120 AICP and PERG members attended the event from all around New York and Brooklyn.

The rooftop space was kindly provided by Barbizon. Tobin Neis (Barbizon Director of Marketing) who really enabled PERG to make the event happen, says, “Barbizon Lighting was thrilled to host this year’s PERG/AICP Octoberfest and showcase our NYC Hell’s Kitchen facility. The weather cooperated, so we could utilize our rooftop deck to enhance the Octoberfest feel. We’ve been a big part of the film/video/content creation community and for us to help elevate this event was our pleasure.”

PERG Rental Works User Group

| PERG News: November 2024 |

Next meeting: Tuesday November 12, 10 am PT, 11 am, MT, 12 pm CT, and 1 pm ET.

The next PERG Rental Works User Group meeting starring Melissa Guzman (Implementation Manager at Rental Works) with a fabulous supporting cast of PERG Rental Companies!

Please RSVP if you plan to attend!

If there’s a rental software topic you’d like to bring up for discussion, reach out on Slack via the peer2peer-topic-suggestions. 

Tiger Commercial & Industrial: Upcoming Auctions

| PERG News: November 2024 |

Tiger Commercial & Industrial is hosting a series of upcoming auctions featuring high-quality AV gear, digital equipment, and real estate from renowned names in AV production and event technology. Starting in Van Nuys, CA, on Nov 5 at 10:30am (PT), bidders will have access to over 900 lots of production and rental-ready gear from industry leader PRG, including digital cameras, lenses, projectors, and moving lights from top brands like Arri, Canon, Sony, and Yamaha. Following this, on Nov 13 at 10:30am (PT), in San Rafael, CA this sale will feature over 400 lots of pristine AV gear and studio real estate from Pedersen Media Group, with items ranging from digital cameras, lenses, gear accessories to designer office furniture. The auctions continue in Culver City, CA, on Dec 3 at 10:30am (PT), with more than 500 lots of digital cameras, wireless media, and accessories from Keslow Camera, showcasing brands like Sony, Panasonic, and Arri. Finally, on Dec 5 at 10:30am (PT), the Denver, CO auction offers surplus gear from Greater Than Entertainment’s ongoing operations, featuring LED walls, projectors, moving lights, and speakers. Inspections are available by appointment before each event, with removal by appointment as well. For more details, visit Tiger's website at www.soldtiger.com or reach out at auctions@tigergroup.com or (805) 497-4999.

Behind the Scenes Wellness Lounge and Shine a Light Campaign Return to LDI 2024

| PERG News: November 2024 |

Following on the intense interest shown last year, Behind the Scenes and LDI are pleased to bring back the Wellness Lounge to LDI 2024, December 8-10 in Las Vegas. The Wellness Lounge offers attendees a safe space to learn about mental and physical health through daily presentations, activities, and one-on-one consultations. From picking up tips on self-care to learning about ways to make your workplaces mentally and emotionally healthier, your industry colleagues will offer short presentations throughout the three day show as well as be available to speak privately.   

Join us each morning for coffee followed by “Cup of Coffee Yoga” where no experience, equipment, or special attire is required. We’re also bringing back the popular Overdose Prevention Training courtesy of There is No Hero in Heroin Foundation.  

The presentation topics include the biology of sleep and the impacts of sleep deprivation, how to eat healthier on the road, dealing with substance misuse in the workplace and tips on staying sober at the bar, techniques for finding mind body balance, bystander intervention techniques, navigating mental health in the workplace and strategies for positive change, mental health guides and standards in the entertainment workplace, and mental health tools and resources available to everyone. 

Presenters, who will be available to speak individually with attendees throughout the day, include Jillian Beggs, Luther Bell, David Lincecum, Steven Michelman, Eddie Raymond, Lori Rubinstein, and Kayleigh Truman. Check out the Wellness Lounge schedule and add these special events to your calendars.  

The Overdose Prevention Training covers basic harm reduction principles, basic harm reduction techniques for those with active use, how to identify and respond to an opioid overdose, and how to administer Narcan®. These 20-minute trainings will be held on Sunday and Monday at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. At the end of each free training an Overdose Response kit with 2 Nasal Narcan® doses will be provided to all participants while supplies last.  

Attendees can stop by the lounge anytime and visit the Behind the Scenes team to learn about the Mental Health Initiative’s extensive tools and resources and receive valuable information participants can share with their companies, on the jobsite, or at their union hall. 

On Sunday, December 8 from 7:30-8:30am LDI is hosting the Rise and Shine 5K to benefit the Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative. Join your colleagues for a meaningful stride towards positive mental health and substance use support at the annual 5K Rise and Shine Walk/Run. Lace up your running shoes and be part of a community dedicated to making a difference. Run with purpose, run with heart – every step counts as you come together to support a worthy cause.  

On Tuesday December 10, Steven Michelman will offer a Mental Health First Aid training. This day-long class teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance misuse. It gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support by taking the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations, teaching you how to listen nonjudgmentally and give reassurance, and how to refer a person to appropriate professional support. Upon completing the course you will become a certified Mental Health First Aider, valid for three years. You will need to register for this class in advance. IATSE members may be eligible for reimbursement from the Training Trust Fund. 

BTS and LDI invite all exhibitors and attendees to join our “We’re Shining a Light on Mental Health” campaign to help reduce the stigma and encourage people to speak openly about mental health and substance use issues. The booth staff of exhibitors supporting the campaign will be wearing a “We’re Shining a Light on Mental Health” button and attendees can pick up their own at the Wellness Lounge. Join these exhibitors who have made early pledges to support the campaign: ACT Entertainment, CBI Cables, Chauvet, ETC, GLP, IATSE, iWeiss, Martin by Harmon, Spotrack, TMB, Texas Scenic Company, Vari-Lite, and Vectorworks by contacting shinealight@btshelp.org.    

A Limited Number of BTS Holiday Card Packs and Electronic Cards are Still Available!

| PERG News: November 2024 |

The 2024 Behind the Scenes Holiday Cards are still available for purchase as card packs and E-cards online at the BTS Boutique. This year’s collection features six different designs created especially for the charity by Ola Kraszpulska, Rick Martin, Robert Mendoza, and Court Watson. From designs highlighting the BTS ghostlight to magical winter scenes and everything in between, you’re sure to find a design that’s right for you. 

By purchasing and sending BTS holiday cards you can help to spread the word about the charity and let your recipients know you support the vital work Behind the Scenes is doing in the Entertainment Technology industry. 

 

Electronic card orders will be taken until December 13th and orders for card packs will be taken only while limited supplies last.  View and order cards at www.behindthescenescharity.org/holidaycards.