FLETCHER CAMERA & LENSES

2008 A Year in Review
Fletcher Camera Highlights

In a year of economic ups and downs, we are grateful for the continued support of our customers.  Because of these valuable relationships, we have been able to weather the financial uncertainties and would like to share some of our highlights of 2008.

Wishing you and yours the best for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2009.

Film and Television Support

In addition to our traditional annual commercial business, Fletcher set out to diversify our business in 2008 under the leadership of Zoe Borys.  We added key personnel and equipment resources.  Highlights shot throughout the Midwest: 
Complete List of Credits

Community Involvement

Fletcher Camera believes in investing time and resources to make the Midwest an attractive and reliable option for film and television production.  In 2008 we were proud to play a leadership role in this effort:

Fletcher Camera had an active Board Member in the following organizations IPA, AICP, PERA, DCS & IFP and supported the following additional groups:  Moefest, Local 600, SAG, HD Expo, Santa Fe Workshops, and Women in Film.

With a record number of new technologies emerging in 2008, Fletcher Camera actively educated our local crews to ensure the high quality and depth demanded to deliver projects on-time and on-budget.  Topics included Arri D-21 & 416, S.two, DMS, SI-2K, Phantom, AVC-Intra, F35 and Red.

Fletcher also hosted educational visits from the following schools: Flashpoint Academy, Northwestern University, Columbia College and City Colleges of Chicago.

Commitment to Diversity

Donated Camera Package to Chicago filmmaker, Vince Singleton. His film “The Porter”  won the Chase Legacy Film Challenge presented by Blackfilm.com, a contest that allows emerging filmmakers to share their stories about creating and preserving legacy within the African American community More

Sally Fletcher served on the Board of Directors of Free Spirit Media, an organization that provides education, access, and opportunity in media production to under-served urban youth.  Fletcher Camera hosted students three times in 2008 for a Shadow Day as well as matched employees' personal sponsorship to their annual fundraiser. More

Hosted IFP Summer Production Mentoring Program screening and barbeque. The annual IFP program leads Chicago Vocational Career Academy students through the script to screen process of producing a short film and making of documentary.

Donated educational scholarships to various minority members to industry trade events. 

Staff Developments and Highlights
Tom Fletcher invited to join the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) as Associate Member More

Sally Fletcher helped Illinois Production Alliance (IPA) gain passage of the 30% tax incentive to put the Film Community back to work.  More

Zoe Borys represented Fletcher Camera at Camerimage in Poland.  More

Megan Donnelly developed and provided Data Management curriculum to the production community.  More

Jim Summers coordinated the camera package for "A Mother's Promise"  the Barack Obama biography  film shown before his acceptance speech at Democratic National Convention.

Mike Sippel taught Local 600 members Arri D-21 and S.two Digital Filmmaking at Cinematographer's Guild's Mega-Digital Summit in Detroit, MI

Al Collins invited to Angenieux for Advanced Repair and Maintenance lens service training in Lyon, France. Later in the year, Collins also received in-depth Cooke Optics' training along with Mike Sippel at Chicago offices. More

Lorraine Poirier provided valuable firsthand production management experience that help guide Fletcher's production office rentals through an erratic production season.

Elliot Rudman graduates from Fletcher Internship Program and lands at Nolo. More Alumni News

Operational Developments

Opened Fletcher Camera - Detroit hiring Stephen Early, a Local 600 Camera Assistant  More

Fletcher upgraded Arri Digital Camera to a D-21, Fletcher is the sole Arri Digital Camera rental agent in the Midwest (13 states) More

Fletcher added 3-Perforation Cameras (Arri ST, LT, 535 and 235) becoming the first facility in the Midwest to carry 3-Perforation cameras More

Remodeled Production Offices (A & B) as well as added two additional smaller office spaces (C & D) under the guidance of Lorraine Poirier,  a 16 year spot professional.  More

Coming in 2009

January 6^th – Detroit - DAT Workshop @ MacProfessionals Detroit (Fletcher Supported) More

January 7^th – Detroit - Film Loader Workshop (Class is FULL Additional Date to determined) More

January 7^th – Chicago - 2009 Illinois Tax Incentive Workshop  More

February 4^th - Women in Film "Build-A-Skill: UPMs & Line Producers"  @ Fletcher Chicago Last Year's Successful Event with a new group of UPMs, Coordinators and Producers

February 7^th – “No Subtitles Necessary Laszlo & Vilmos” Screening with Director James Chressanthis ASC and Vilmos Zsigmond ASC in attendance.  (Details to Follow Shortly)

February 8^th –  Master Cinematography Lighting Workshop @ Essanay taught by Vilmos Zsigmond ASC and James Chressanthis ASC.  (Details to Follow Shortly)