ProHD Rentals Partners with Panic Ventures to Support Independent Filmmakers

Burbank, CA, November 26, 2009 --(PR.com)-- When Panic Ventures’ co-directors Daniel Farrands and Andrew Kasch set out to document the history of The Nightmare on Elmstreet series they were challenged with budget constraints that could limit the production value of the project. Enter ProHD Rentals and Bob Bekian, who offered to provide the sound stage and equipment necessary to conduct the interviews on a deferred payment plan.

Because Panic Ventures was fronting the money for the production until the project could be sold, it was essential that the budget remain manageable. Monitoring cash flow became equally as important as landing the key interviews with Nightmare icons like Robert Englund, (aka Freddie), and creator, Wes Craven. Bekian offered Panic a unique deal by deferring all studio expenses until after the project was sold. “I am a huge believer in independent filmmaking,” says Bekian. “But it’s not so easy to get upfront funding anymore. That’s where we come in.” Bekian became a strategic partner with the filmmakers in order to make their budget go farther. “We want to be there to help the little guy,” Bekian continues. “We want to keep production in Los Angeles where it belongs. So I will do what I can to make that happen.”

So far Bekian’s plan has been working. ProHD Rentals has successfully courted several projects to shoot in his studios. Filmmakers have taken notice of his position as their ally and have migrated toward the company for assistance in project completion. Wickham Irwin, ProHD's marketing director explains, “It’s not enough to be just an equipment vendor. We actively seek out filmmakers because we can assist them in fulfilling their vision. That’s what differentiates us from other production facilities.”

Panic Ventures has capitalized on this opportunity, benefiting from this new found relationship. According to Kasch, eighty percent of desired interviewees have responded positively to the project. But scheduling interview sessions can be difficult and costly. Not so with ProHD's arrangement. Now, when a key interview becomes available, Panic already has a stage ready to go. This arrangement may prove invaluable if Panic secures an interview with superstar Johnny Depp, who made his film debut in the original Nightmare on Elm Street. "The word is definitely out to Johnny," explains Farrands, who also directed A Haunting in Connecticut. "Because Johnny is who he is and since he still holds Nightmare up as something he's proud of, we've been told he'll do it if he can."

Never Sleep Again is due to be completed in the spring of 2010. Only then will Panic Ventures and ProHD Rentals know if the strategic partnership has paid off. “There’s no doubt in my mind,” concludes Bekian. “Our program has enabled a lot of smaller productions to complete their projects and get them into the marketplace without breaking the bank. And we get to be part of something bigger than our stage. Everybody wins.”

Yes, everybody wins.

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