Sometimes I wonder whether we reach everyone that COULD be our customer or not. If you're a still photographer and you've never rented from us i have to ask "WHY NOT"! We carry a full line of many of the things that you need every day and we have resources to get you many of the other things that we don't have. I guarantee that you'll love the service you get here and you'll like the price too! Check out what it would cost to have one of our talented pool of freelnace technicians bring a truck out to your next job. I'll bet it's a LOT less than you think and you'll be getting an expert with the gear along for the job as well. We can be your photo lighting rental source as well as we do film lighting rental and video lighting rental. Did I mention that we're the only place in town that has Black/White Foamcore IN STOCK, a full line of expendables (tape,gel,diffusion), production support items (heaters, tables, chairs, tents), and new equipment for sale as well? We're truly evolving into a one-stop-shop for everything you need! Come by and see us any time.
Another new light!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 by
Derek Hammer
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Go here to see pictures and demos of our new Triolet http://www.chimeralighting.com/dspProduct.asp?productid=299
Facebook Bound!!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 by
Alyssa Davis
Yes, we have done it!! Film and Video lighting rental is now on Facebook. This will give us the opportunity to give you, our clients and friends quick updates to those who become a fan. Please log onto your Facebook page and Search Hammer Lighting & Grip, click "Become a Fan" and you are in!!
We will be able to give you the latest updates on new gear, as well as linking our blog to our page as well. You will also get the opportunity to see some of our work with the pictures and videos that I will be uploading.
We will be able to give you the latest updates on new gear, as well as linking our blog to our page as well. You will also get the opportunity to see some of our work with the pictures and videos that I will be uploading.
New Phone System!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 by
Julie Kusher
The day has finally come! We are having a new phone system installed at Hammer Lighting and Grip today and it is brilliant! This will improve all aspects of communication at our lighting rental house. We will be a quicker and more efficient team. When you call, you'll be able to immediately connect with the person you need to speak with. You can go directly to Sean if you have a question about a piece of gear on a truck that he is loading for you. Or, you can hit Derek's extension if you have already been working with him about an upcoming job. Or, you can dial Alyssa if you need to schedule a truck or if you have questions about the type of insurance you need. Finally, you can punch my number to speak about purchasing new or used equipment. These extensions will ring us at our desk and on our cell phones simultaneously. Therefore, we will always be available for your lighting and grip rental needs!
Communcations?
Monday, November 23, 2009 by
Derek Hammer
"We're in the communications business right?" Words often heard when communications break down on set and it's somewhat true. "Well, for a bunch of people in the communcations business....", yet another phrase we often hear.
Over the last few weeks, Alyssa Davis, our office manager, and I, have been examining the way we communicate with our customers here at Hammer Lighting & Grip. In respect to economic conditions of the recent past we've been hobbling along on a 20 year old phone system that was in the building when I bought it. We've all recognized its limitations and have been frustrated by them. We both feel like we'd like for you, our lighting and grip customers, to be able to reach us faster and easier. So, now, 2 1/2 years later we're embarking on the journey to replace our whole phone system. We have partnered with Cincinnati Bell to set up a cutting-edge commucations platform that will help get you to a real person faster when you call for your next lighting rental need. In the coming weeks we'll be making dramatic changes. When you call us for your next generator rental, grip truck, or for one of our camera dollies you'll first hear an auto-attendant. That auto-attendant will allow you to select which of us you'd like to talk to. Your call will be routed to that person's desk and company mobile phone simutaneously making (317)547-4747 the only number you'll ever need to call. Forget everyone's mobile numbers, forget having to call back, this will be the easiest and fastest way for us to serve you! I'll be further updating here soon as we bring this exciting new system online!
Over the last few weeks, Alyssa Davis, our office manager, and I, have been examining the way we communicate with our customers here at Hammer Lighting & Grip. In respect to economic conditions of the recent past we've been hobbling along on a 20 year old phone system that was in the building when I bought it. We've all recognized its limitations and have been frustrated by them. We both feel like we'd like for you, our lighting and grip customers, to be able to reach us faster and easier. So, now, 2 1/2 years later we're embarking on the journey to replace our whole phone system. We have partnered with Cincinnati Bell to set up a cutting-edge commucations platform that will help get you to a real person faster when you call for your next lighting rental need. In the coming weeks we'll be making dramatic changes. When you call us for your next generator rental, grip truck, or for one of our camera dollies you'll first hear an auto-attendant. That auto-attendant will allow you to select which of us you'd like to talk to. Your call will be routed to that person's desk and company mobile phone simutaneously making (317)547-4747 the only number you'll ever need to call. Forget everyone's mobile numbers, forget having to call back, this will be the easiest and fastest way for us to serve you! I'll be further updating here soon as we bring this exciting new system online!
DOT, DOT, DOT
Tuesday, October 6, 2009 by
Derek Hammer
One of the necessary evils of operating a lighting and grip company is complying with the laws governing "heavy" trucks. I'll spend a total of more than 4 hours of my day today working on this one issue. I'm training two drivers today. Many people don't understand that almost any "commercial" truck (used in business) is required to comply with federal DOT regulations. Even pickup trucks and vans often qualify. Failure to comply can result in heavy fines and the potential for open-ended lawsuits should there be a traffic accident. This is why we cant let just anybody take a truck on their next rental. The freelancers that drive our trucks are trained professionals. They know how to drive a grip truck safely and how to comply with the regulations so that the truck can actually make it to the job. In Indiana we are the lighting a grip rental company that looks out for YOU. It's our job to know the laws, not yours. Just another added benefit you get from renting from the most buttoned up lighting and grip rental facility in the Midwest!
Winter Is Almost HERE!!
Thursday, October 1, 2009 by
Julie Kusher
Prepare yourself for the 20 degree days by renting the winter essentials from your favorite Indiana Lighting and Grip Rental House! We have 10'x10' and 10'x20' EZ-Up tents available for you! When requested, they come with sides to keep that cold wind at bay. You could also keep warm with our portable heaters! They are 18,000 BTU heaters that are safe to use indoors and come with 16 ounce propane tanks. Each tank lasts 3 hours and is very easy to change.
If these heaters aren't enough for you, we also have the Salamander! This beast could melt the abominable snowman in seconds! It is a 155,000 BTU propane heater that will be sure to keep your clients and crew warm in any conditions!
We feel that as a Midwest lighting and grip company, we must provide the best options for keeping you warm in the winter! Don't forget the hot chocolate!
If these heaters aren't enough for you, we also have the Salamander! This beast could melt the abominable snowman in seconds! It is a 155,000 BTU propane heater that will be sure to keep your clients and crew warm in any conditions!
We feel that as a Midwest lighting and grip company, we must provide the best options for keeping you warm in the winter! Don't forget the hot chocolate!
Motorola VHF Radios
Friday, September 25, 2009 by
Julie Kusher
Many people don't know this but along with all of the other lighting and grip rental equipment we provide, we also have Motorola GP300 VHF radios available. As a Midwest lighting and grip rental company, we stock a good amount of these and their accessories. With the rental of this radio, you have the choice of headsets, ear buds, speaker mics, and holsters available for you at no extra cost! (Most lighting rental companies charge extra for this!)
Another item in our inventory that people often forget about is the bullhorn! Why is this item so obsolete now? Do you not need to get the attention of the crew anymore? Don't let some dazed and confused grip walk through the shot... use the bullhorn to announce "ROLLING!"
For questions about either of these items, call Hammer Lighting & Grip at (317) 547-4747!
Another item in our inventory that people often forget about is the bullhorn! Why is this item so obsolete now? Do you not need to get the attention of the crew anymore? Don't let some dazed and confused grip walk through the shot... use the bullhorn to announce "ROLLING!"
For questions about either of these items, call Hammer Lighting & Grip at (317) 547-4747!
Here we grow again!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009 by
Derek Hammer
The staff here at Hammer Lighting and Grip has been busy over the last few weeks reorganizing the warehouse. With so much new equipment in the last two years we've found ourselves out of floor space so it was time to clean house, condense, and go UP. We bought a vintage 1974 Clark forklift (she's the same age as me) and rearranged our racking system. Julie has put all of the grip equipment in an awesome bin system that organizes each item into its own separate labeled (of course) bin. Sean rearranged some of the other lighting and grip equipment onto the shelves. We put our overflow stock up high and we made a lot of extra floor space. That means that all of our trucks still fit inside this Winter which means that we'll have fewer worries about trucks starting on cold mornings which means that we are the Midwest lighting and grip rental company thats looking out for YOU. It also means the many jobs that require lots of cable or other large heavy things can be loaded by forklift, keeping costs down here, which keeps costs down for you.
The Mega Master
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 by
Julie Kusher
The lighting rental equipment here at Hammer Lighting and Grip is constantly changing. It is my job to make sure that we have every bit of information on the items coming in and out of our rental inventory at our fingertips at all times. I created what I enjoy calling the "Mega Master Inventory List" many, many months ago. However, I cannot seem to complete this project. We keep finding more rental gear to add to it. I never realized how much lighting and grip equipment you must have to run a rental house like this. Even just today I found a few pieces of grip equipment in our warehouse that was not on this list. There are so many things that have been custom made or ordered for certain productions that nobody even knows about! My goal is to provide our customers with all of the information on these pieces so they can take advantage of the specialty items that exist right here in Indianapolis!
Please call us at 317-547-GRIP if there is something in particular you are looking for or visit our website at www.hammergrip.tv! Check back often because as I said before, it is constantly being updated!
Please call us at 317-547-GRIP if there is something in particular you are looking for or visit our website at www.hammergrip.tv! Check back often because as I said before, it is constantly being updated!
Load
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 by
Derek Hammer
Our job here at Hammer Lighting and Grip is often about maintaining and improving our rental inventory. Sometimes in the process we learn something new or find a great resource. Grip equipment is rare and often doesnt come with a manual. Lighting rental isnt included in the "For Dummies" book series. I was working today to order some parts to fix some damaged Cardellini clamps and ran across this page. Take a look.
Keep it moving!
Monday, April 20, 2009 by
Julie Kusher
In my mind, the worst thing a lighting rental house could do is stop the ebb and flow of gear. Here at Hammer Lighting & Grip, we are always buying and selling rental equipment. We have already replaced 3 grip trucks and 2 generators in our 11 years in business. This is especially important with HMI's. The technology is so new that we must keep buying and selling HMI's so that we are constantly improving the quality of our inventory. Manufacturers are always making changes to their lights. For example, Kino Flo improved the design on their backplates. They have changed the 4 push pins design into a easier and safer twist lock backplate. This is a great improvement and we will soon be switching all of our heads and backplates to the new design but it will cost us about $300 per light!
Although these improvements can be expensive, we think they are very important to maintaining our top of the line lighting and grip equipment.
Although these improvements can be expensive, we think they are very important to maintaining our top of the line lighting and grip equipment.
A Spring walk
Thursday, March 26, 2009 by
Derek Hammer
Midwest winters can take a toll on a lighting and grip rental company. I was out taking a stroll after lunch today to assess the impact of this winter on our grounds. We fared pretty well aside from a few landscaping tasks. As I was walking along I noticed a crawdad who was apparently just waking from a long winter nap. I picked him up and noticed that he was missing a claw. As I examined the claw I realized how much some of our grip equipment looks like that claw and how strong both can be. Pound for pound, that little crayfish is probably way stronger than any grip clamp. However, it's hard to get a truck load of crayfish to work and they small far worse than a bunch of grips (hard to believe, i know). So, your only consolation is to call us. We have grip trucks from 1 ton to 5 ton and a couple in between. They're loaded with clamps, pipe, wood, and a whole lot of other goodies just waiting to hang, clamp, span, dangle, or suspend anything on your next job. Think of us as the "do anything that anyone else on the crew can't" guys. Yes we're grips. No, we don't smell like crayfish.
So many things, so little breath
Thursday, January 22, 2009 by
Derek Hammer
One of my recent frustrations, turned motivation, is that I often see our clients working too hard or spending too much to accomplish a task for which we often already have an easier and cheaper solution in our vast inventory of lighting and grip equipment. Hammer Lighting and Grip has all of the usual stuff youd expect to find at a lighting rental house, but, we also have all sorts of specialty items for rent that you might not think of us for. If you're a producer, you might need chairs, tables, heaters, fans, coolers, tents, or some other rather mundane item to keep your clients and crew happy. If you're a Key Grip maybe you didnt know that we have tons of specialty rigging (more than any other lighing and grip company in the Midwest). If you're a DP traveling in from ahother part of the country maybe you want to rent a tripod, anton Bauer batteries or a monitor from us to avoid some travel expenses (it's good, clean, newer gear) If you're a Gaffer maybe you didnt know that we have lights that don't even have a name for shooting high speed tabletop shots. The point is, we've worked very hard to get as much of our equipment as possible onto the website (www.hammergrip.tv) but it's impossible to get every item on it and we realize that you don't have all day to sit around and look at our web site either. So, ask, we'll help.
New 5 Ton
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 by
Derek Hammer
Last Friday we took delivery of our new 5 Ton grip truck. Over the next couple of weeks I'll be writing about the trials and tribulations of building this new truck from the ground up. It's a process I've been working on since late August. Our new 5 Ton grip truck will be very different from what you've seen in the past. It's cargo box is 2 feet longer, 1 foot taller and 6 inches wider. While the box is taller, the new air-ride suspension makes it only a few inches taller than the old 5 ton. We'll be ading some cool new features like a much larger lift gate, onboard air hose reel (great for on-set maintenance, art dept, cleaning, etc) all new integrated LED lighting, and more. This new truck will take lighting rental to a whole new level. Check back often for more updates about the newest addition to the inventory at Hammer Lighing and Grip!
Bags of Shot
Friday, November 7, 2008 by
Julie Kusher
There comes a time in every company's life that you have to break down and do a little inventory. For this Midwest Lighting and Grip Rental company, the time is now.
I began this thrilling task by counting all of the shot bags on the grip trucks and in the warehouse. I was amazed to discover that Hammer Lighting and Grip possesses approximately $18,400 worth of 25 pound shot bags! So you're thinking we must have thousands of bags then, right? Nope. We only have 197!
The cost to get 5 thousand pounds of bagged shot to Indianapolis from LA will bury you. We come across this problem too often. Buying and selling grip equipment as an Indiana lighting and grip rental company is much more difficult than as a Los Angeles rental house. We must ship everything and everything we must ship weighs a ton.
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