A weblog about theatrical drapery and stage curtains for Production Managers, Set Designers, Custom Drapery Resellers, and local/school/church Productions
We here at Rent What? Inc. try to stay on the forefront of technology in order to provide our clients with the best, most innovative service. In light of that, we have developed a QR Code for our website, which we’ve attached to all of our pipe and drape hardware, hampers, dressing rooms, and other rented goods.
All you have to do is download a free app on your smartphone which is called a “scanner” or “QR reader”, which gives you the ability to literally “take a picture” of these funny looking squares filled with what looks like random dots. However, once you scan it (even on your computer moniter—go ahead and give it a try!), all of our company’s vital information pops up on your phone. You can see our website, address, email, phone number, and even GPS location which can be used in any mapping program your phone has. You can then save us on your master Contact list, which is a great way for our clients to have all of our information at the tip of their fingertips in case they are out on an install and need some assistance from us.
We strive to stay ahead of the game here at Rent What? Inc., and utilizing new technology has proven to be a great way for us to do that.
We are so proud to be selected by DiversityBusiness.com as a 2012 “Top Business.” We were one of just 2,500 companies selected from more than 1.2 million privately held businesses that completed surveys.
This award is granted to businesses that demonstrate dedication, hard work, and stimulation of economic growth in the United States. Pretty exciting to know that we have been recognized alongside such amazing companies as Dell and IBM!
You may remember that, a couple of years ago, I posted about the Metal Mesh drapes that we made for The Decemberists. Through the brilliance of lighting designer Anne Militello, the metal mesh took on the appearance of any amazing Impressionistic oil painting. Well, Anne is also Head of the Lighting Design Program at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), so when Anne approached Megan to be a guest speaker to a Lighting Lab class, Megan was excited to participate.
Though the focus of the class is on theatrical lighting, it is important that lighting designers be familiar with the many types of stage drapes, as the style and fabric of drapery can impact and be impacted by the lighting design. Megan began the session by explaining the various types of stage curtains, from Grand Drapes to Backdrops, from Austrians to Tab Curtains, utilizing a Power Point presentation to show the students specific examples of each type of drape. Here’s one of the slides that was included in the presentation:
But the session was more than just a lecture. After the Power Point presentation, the session became even more interactive. Megan brought large samples of a number of different theatrical fabrics, including Cambio, Glimmerine, Poly Silk, Sharkstooth Scrim, and Metal Mesh. Using the lighting lab equipment, students were able to able to try out a variety of lighting designs and techniques on the various fabrics, to get hands-on experience on how each fabric is transformed by lighting.
All in all, it was a great evening – Megan really enjoyed teaching and interacting with all the talented and creative students.
Recently, Megan was approached by Nadia Shahin, Volunteer Coordinator for NFTE Greater Los Angeles. If you aren’t familiar with NFTE, it stands for “Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship.” Started in New York City in 1987, the organization’s mission is to “provide programs that inspire young people from low-income communities to stay in school, to recognize business opportunities and to plan for successful futures.” The organization now has more than ten program offices throughout the United States, as well as additional partner programs throughout the U.S. and the world.
Megan was asked to speak to a class of approximately 25 students, grades 6th to 8th, in the NFTE class of Elizabeth Clayton-Bennett at Davis Middle School in Compton, CA, right here in our neighborhood, about Megan’s experiences as an entrepreneur. Megan began the presentation by telling the students about how she got started as an entrepreneur at the age of 19, sewing at her kitchen table, and then over the years grew the business to the Sew What? Inc. that it is today (and added a second company, Rent What? Inc.). She also brought in Kimberly Lee, Sew What? Account Manager, to speak briefly about her own experiences as an entrepreneur graphic artist and web designer.
Following the presentations, Megan made the session interactive by encouraging the students to brainstorm ways to turn everyday objects into business opportunities. Using Sew What? tee shirts as props, she asked the students to think of ways that the shirts could be modified into a sellable item (other than a tee shirt). The students came up with some terrific ideas, including a purse, dog clothes, and a book cover, and for each student who came up with an idea, the student received a tee shirt to keep.
Megan really enjoyed meeting and speaking with the students – it means a lot to her to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs!
We recently learned about a video on You Tube that is just amazing. This is an original song and video written and produced by someone in the UK who is a big fan of John Rios’ artwork.
All of us here at Sew What? and Rent What? are big fans of John’s, and so proud that he has joined our team, and we know that there are a lot of other fans out there. But this song and video are really special. Check it out – it is funny, catchy, and a true celebration of John and his incredible talent.
I can’t believe that Thanksgiving is here again. 2011 seems to have just flown by, and soon it will be Hanukkah and Christmas and Kwanzaa. Not to mention New Years Eve and then the start of 2012.
It is hard to believe, but we have published over 300 posts and in just a few months (March 2012), we will celebrate the third anniversary of this blog. It is exciting to see the blog grow. This year I welcomed two new blog contributors – John Rios of Sew What? and Marianne Lopez of Rent What? It is great to have the new perspective and wealth of knowledge that each of them contributes to this blog. Thanks for joining me in the blogosphere, John and Marianne!
But without you, the readers of this blog, all of it would be in vain. In that spirit, I would like to thank you, the readers, for your support. Hope you are all enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving!
We’ve recently heard the devastating news that a roadie who has been on countless tours over the years with such bands as The Police is having a health crisis that we thought we’d bring some needed attention to. Dokie (Brian Milne) began having health issues a few months ago. These issues came to a head while he was touring with Lenny Kravitz in France in mid October. He was taken to a local hospital, where he learned of major damage to his kidney, and the doctor recommended removal of the kidney upon Dokie’s return to the United States. Shortly thereafter, Dokie arrived in the United States, where he saw a doctor in San Francisco who diagnosed a cancerous tumor. The doctor scheduled surgery for early November, but a pre-op CAT Scan revealed the cancer had spread to his lungs, liver, and possibly brain. As a result, surgery was cancelled. A biopsy was then done on the liver, which revealed the cancer is indeed in his liver, lungs, and bones. Dokie’s health is diminishing rapidly, but he is not giving up and neither are his family and friends.
At this point chemotherapy is such a long shot that Dokie and his loved ones see their only hope in other methods of treatment. However, the cost for such treatment is estimated at about $50,000.
Dokie has an amazing girlfriend, Jessica Barsotti, who has been is one of the key persons in making sure Dokie is cared for. As an attorney, Jessica is coordinating donation efforts. She has a PayPal account available for those who wish to donate online.
If anyone would like to send a check, it can be send to the following address:
Jessica R. Barsotti
Law Office of Jessica R. Barsotti
5032 Woodminster Lane
Oakland, CA 94620
tel 510-530-4078
fax 510-530-4725
It saddens us to report on such a tragic event, but we know how many people have been touched over the years by Dokie, and so we thought it important to spread the news. Please forward this onto anyone you think of that can help. If you can’t afford to donate money, then please send positive thoughts.
Megan Duckett, President of Sew What? and Rent What?, was honored recently to be asked to speak on a panel of Inc 5000 small business owners. If you aren’t familier with Inc 500 / 5000, it is a list of the top 500 and top 5,000 fastest growing small businesses in the United States, and Sew What? has been named to the list for each of the last several years.
At the event, Megan joined with several other small business owners to talk about how we have not only survived the current economic client, but actually continued to grow. Not only did Megan enjoy the opportunity to participate, but she found it enlighting to listen to her fellow speakers and pick up ideas from them as well.
Want to learn more about Inc 500 / 5000? Click here.
I recently designed the new backdrop for Michelle Branch for her 2011/2012 tour. I was approached by her creative team with the idea of putting together an eclectic stack of vintage amplifiers. The first task was to acquire images of vintage amps so that I could create a believable piece of art. As luck would have it, a music store that carries vintage amps was just ten miles away (Back Stage Music, Lake Orion) and they were willing to let me come a shoot all the pictures I needed.
The backdrop turned out fantastic. Michelle liked it so much she invited me to her show, when they came through town, just to meet me and thank me for my work. No higher praise in my book.
