PERA Presents “Hands-On Chicago”

On March 8 and 9, the Production Equipment Rental Association (PERA)will host a Midwest regional trade show, “Hands-OnChicago,” at the Essanay Studio, in Chicago.

The event will feature more than two-dozen leading productionequipment suppliers, showing their latest gear in an informal yetinformative, hands-on setting. The current list of likely exhibitorsincludes: Angenieux, American Grip, Arriflex (both camera andlighting), Barbizon Chicago, Canon Broadcast, Cartoni, Coptervision,Filmair, Fletcher Chicago, Fujinon, Giraffe Crane, Innovision Optics,K5600, Kino Flo, Lee Filters, Lightning Strikes, Lowel, MSE MatthewsStudio Equipment, O’Connor, Panavision Chicago, Picture Factory,Power Gems, Rosco, Scorpio, Sony Electronics, SMS Productions, andTechnocrane.

Local 600, the International Cinematographers Guild, will host apanel discussion entitled "New Technologies: Hard Questions," moderatedby Chicago native Steven Poster, President of the ASC. Panelists willinclude Local 600 President George Dibie, ASC, Pete Biagi, TedLichtenheld, Alan Thatcher, Rusty Burrell, Gary Katz, Ben Adams, andJeffrey Blake. The panel discussion will begin at 10am on March 9.

Hands-On Chicago will provide an opportunity for the regionalcommunity to see some of the most current equipment used in featurefilm, television, and commercial production. Each vendor will haverepresentatives to demonstrate the equipment and answer questions. Someof the vendors plan to hold seminars on specific pieces ofequipment.

The trade show will open on Friday, March 8, from 3pm until 8pm andon Saturday, March 9, from 10am until 4pm. Admission is free toqualified members of the industry and to qualified students. EssanayStudio is located at 1346 North Branch St., Chicago. You can registerat www.pera.ws in the Hands-On Chicago section or via email toeclare@pera.ws.