VER rentals’ new McCook branch to serve the region

When LA-based VER (Video Equipment Rentals) opens a 94,000-sf. ft. branch in Southwest suburban McCook in November, the Chicago film industry will boast its largest film and AV equipment rental facility to date.

Construction has begun on VER’s massive, single story warehouse and office facility it’s leasing at 8401 W. 47th St. in the McCook enterprise zone, less than a mile from the I-55 interchange.

The new branch will provide camera, audio, fiber, lighting, rigging and LED media servers and will have four camera prep bays and onsite engineering services.

The VER Camera facility will open the same time as the office in 5,000-sq. ft. of all-new, dedicated space for camera prep, lens calibration and around-the-clock experienced technicians.

With the new facility, VER plans to increase its production equipment services offering in the Midwest. “Its location will be easily accessible to all of our shows and clients” says LA-based Casey Starr, VER’s national manager Television and Cinema Sales.

Last month, VER began equipping cameras for Dick Wolf NBC Universal series “Chicago PD,” “Chicago Med” and “Chicago Justice” filming at Cinespace Studios. It’s also working with Fox TV’s “APB” series at Cinespace providing “advanced enhanced environment,” that uses LED technology that provides dynamic lighting of talent and set.

The Chicago branch will open with an immediate staff of 40 to 50, led by Ericka Frederick, National Sales Executive, who is well-known and respected throughout the Midwest for her many years of service at Kodak.

The number of staff could easily reach 150 when the McCook facility is running at full capacity. An expanded support team includes frequent visits to Chicago by LA-based Vince Pace, Executive Director of Camera and Scott Dale, Director of Motion Imaging.

When renovation is completed, the new branch will be identical to the state-of-the-art facilities VER has erected in 33 facilities worldwide, including offices in New York, LA, Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans, and other locations.