Rootclip

While recently holed up at an indy production office in Hollywood, I came across a useful little tool that some of you may be familiar with. It's called LA 411 - it's a web site designed specifically for indexing production company assets like prop houses, costume shops, picture car rentals... you need it, you name it! It's sort of a filmmaker's dream come true!

Of course, the catch is that it's for services mainly located in the Los Angeles area. But that's no reason to despair, if you happen to be based in one of the dozens of places around the United States that aren't Los Angeles. LA411 has a cousin named NY411, which could be far more helpful for many of you. But even if neither coast is terribly accessible, LA411 is just as much fun to browse as it is to use -- and believe me, I've been doing both!

If you do a little site-snooping, you'll find places that supplied vehicles for your favorite car crashes, costumes for your favorite comedies, stages your favorite actors graced, and more. Many companies take pride in some of the productions they've worked on, and checking out all the equipment they have to offer (and sometimes the rental prices) can be interesting and enlightening. I recently discovered where to rent an army tank, should I need one. I also know who to call if I want a Giant Nose Suit now. And people say there's nothing new left on the internet...

If you're feeling bold, you can even give these places a call -- they're staffed by normal people who are willing to give you information, especially if you tell them you're calling from a production company (give them a company name) and are doing research for a movie. There's no harm in window shopping a little, even at the same places Steven Spielberg is hitting up for Indiana Jones V.