Return | Newsletter Back Issues | Previous | Next Above: Lenny Arms with remote camera heads are a hot rental item for Hollywood film studios. Dispatchers reveal hottest rental items North Hollywood, CA--What's hot in the camera support equipment market?  No one knows better than the staff of Chapman LA and Orlando's dispatch offices.  Being confronted with special setups and scheduling equipment on a daily basis is what they do.  Customer satisfaction is a priority amongst the crew at Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment Companies. "Dollies are still the hottest items-especially the PeeWee®," says Tiffany Zeller.  "Making the customer happy is our No. 1 priority, even if it means staying a little late to finish an order." "We offer accessory packages for our dollies because most grips find it is more cost efficient and timesaving to order everything at once.  That way, in case they need a particular accessory, they don't have to place another order," Manager, Patty Castillo, says.  "Ninety per cent of our lease customers order the package, which includes risers, extensions, boards, everything." Chapman's steady line of remote camera bases and arms are growing in popularity and Aleta Perez says the most frequent combinations are the Hybrid or Hy Hy® with Lenny Arms.   "They seem to be the most requested," Perez says.  "Forward Productions (Project 640) used a Sidewinder and Lenny Arm III.  I had to send specially made parts because the cameras they were using were so heavy." Phones frequently ring off the hook.  In fact, with the increasing demand for Chapman's newer products, the dispatchers anticipate more bookings. "All of our equipment is in demand," Dispatch Manager, Patty Castillo, says.   "Many times production will be filmed on rough or sandy terrains.  For these types of shoots, I like to suggest using our mobile cranes, either the Super Nova, Titan II, or Super Apollo.  These mobile cranes are commonly used on beach productions, such as "Baywatch", or on rough terrain, such as that found on a ranch, for filming productions such as "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." "The Olympians are a popular item for football use," Orlando's Anna Zaccardo explains, "but our new Sport ATB's are also becoming a favorite for football coverage during the 95-96 NFL season." "The Zeus is our most popular stage crane because of its extra reach and extra height," Tanya Underwood says. "It is used on a lot of movies.  But motion pictures and TV shows are just the start; music videos, commercials, and live stage productions also use Chapman." "Customer service is what we stress the most," Jennifer Chapman says.   "We try our best to make everyone happy."

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