On Tuesday, April 28 over 160 members of the AICP and PERG celebrated the Los Angeles production community at the annual co-hosted Spring Mixer. The event, which was held at Versatile Stages near Culver City in Los Angeles, brings together Executive Producers, Heads of Production, producers, and production staff from some of the finest commercial production companies in the world rave it up with the leadership teams from rental companies that support their productions. Bianca Halpern (Otto Nemenz) enthused, “This event is a unique opportunity where production companies can meet their vendors and vice versa. Camaraderie is formed and Virtual relationships become real!” The annual event has become a welcome opportunity to relax and strengthen personal relationships between production, vendors, and professional services companies that are the behind-the-scenes backbone to production.
Sean Moody, Head of Production at Biscuit and AICP West Board President remarked, “The Spring Mixer is always a great opportunity for the behind the scenes people in our industry to come together and toast to the amazing work we do together, which feels all the more important when the work in town ebbs and flows. We’re all so often just talking via email and phone calls and not often seeing each other face to face, so getting to meet and put a face to the name of the person at a production company that has called a hundred times to put your stage on hold or the sales rep at the rental house who always helps you with your equipment order, for example, is always a fulfilling experience and helps build a better advertising industry community in Los Angeles.”
Sean French and Michael Dos Santos, partners in Versatile stages, transformed the photo studio space with Mayan art and festive Cinco de Mayo decorations. Guests tucked into delicious tacos and clowned in the photo booth (gobeyondthebooth.com). Paul Royalty (Litegear and PERG Council Member) assumed the role of master of ceremonies. Before beginning the drawing of raffle prizes, he spoke to the assembled group about the role of the AICP and PERG in strengthening the production infrastructure with important initiatives like the AICP/PERG Terms & Conditions, the recent AICP Town Hall with PERG, and events like this one. His words advanced PERG’s 2026 theme, “Support Your Local Rental House,” which was the branded message displayed on pins, pens, and display screens at the event.
Some terrific raffle prizes—Dodgers tickets, dinner at Musso and Franks, cheese and wine gift bags, even lighting products-- were presented by PERG and AICP associate members: Inner Circle (distributor of Astera in the US), Need Financial Services, Otto Nemenz, Sher Gelb, Chubb, California Rent-a-Car.
The event was sponsored by PERG’s annual sponsors Applied Entertainment and Sports, Arri, NFP, Sony, and Taylor & Taylor and by event sponsors Bloom Hochberg & Co., California Rent-a-Car, Chubb, Roll Credits, Sher Gelb, Tiger Group and Versatile Stages. In addition, Band Pro bought the beer, and liquor was sponsored by Hendricks Gin.