Developing Strategic Partnerships to Make Indie Production Possible

June 10, 2010 - PRLog -- Paul Rodriguez had an idea that he wanted to pitch to MTV’s Latin channel tr3‘s, but he needed a sizzle reel to illustrate the feel of the show.  The familiar challenge for all show developers soon became apparent to Rodriguez when he had to consider how much financial risk he was willing to take before the idea was even sold.
   Enter ProHD Rentals, a digital equipment, full service facility, which worked collaboratively with Rodriguez and his producers to make the demo possible.  Bob Bekian, president of ProHD Rentals, explains, “Our objective is to do everything in our power to facilitate the filmmaker.  By creating a one-stop facility we have the flexibility and diversity to suit any production demands.”
   The idea of vendor and client collaborating is nothing new, but the proactive nature of ProHD’s philosophy is gaining a lot of attention.  “There are so many story tellers out there that lack the financial means to make their vision possible,” says Bekian.  “We just want to provide them with every opportunity available to make that dream a reality.  We want to help them get their stories told.”  In the case of ProHD Rentals, the idea of working with filmmakers is succeeding.  
   Several independent projects have been made possible as a result of ProHD working closely with producers to manage their budgets.  Last fall ProHD Rentals and their sister company Loyal Studios joined forces with Panic Ventures to assist Daniel Farrands on his latest documentary, “Never Sleep Again:  The Elm Street Legacy.”  
   Distribution for the project would not be financed until the project was completed, which left Farrands financially challenged during production.  ProHD got involved and deferred their rental fees until after the documentary was sold.  With the financial burden lifted, Panic Ventures was able to be more flexible with their shooting schedule in order to accommodate busy schedules of interviewees, such as Wes Craven and Robert Englund.  The documentary was successfully sold for distribution and ProHD was paid in full.
   Funding for independent projects has become so difficult in the past year that filmmakers are coming up short on budgets.  ProHD Rentals views this type of challenge as an opportunity.  “Yes, we are in it for the money.  This is a business after all,” reiterates Bekian.  “But if we can ease some of the burden put upon producers and work collaboratively to find a solution to their fiscal challenges, then we will.  As a multi-service, single source vendor we can save producers time and money.”  
   The new business collaborative ProHD Rentals offers worked for Rodriguez.  Not only did MTV order a pilot based on the sizzle reel, but they also ordered eight episodes to get the show started, which were all produced at Loyal Studios and using ProHD equipment.

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ABOUT ProHD Rentals - The company is located at 2201 N. Hollywood Way in Burbank, California. The company is a digital equipment rental house that deals primarily with all formats of digital video cameras. For more information, call (818) 450-1115 or visit www.prohdrentals.com.