NBC Universal (www.filmmakersdestination.com) announces the re-opening of the Staff & Moulding Shops at Universal Studios to external clients in the entertainment industry and architectural industry including film, television and commercial productions along with related building industries.
The Staff Shop offers Vac-U-Form, mould making, flex moulding, casting, fiberglass, concrete, plastering, sculpture as well as custom fabrication. The Shop was closed to production in the early 1990’s, but continued work on maintaining the facades on the Universal backlot. Andrew Spencer, Shop Foreman, is a 16 year veteran of the Staff Shop. In fact, the Shop is a little bit of a family business. Andrew’s father, Steven Spencer, was with Universal for 35 years and spent 27 of those as Staff Shop department head.
“The process of re-opening the Shop has been exciting,” said Andrew Spencer. “Everything has been saved. We have the original moulds, the original brick skins and more ready for production. Additionally we can create custom orders in a wide range of materials.”
Although the Moulding Shop was acquired from Walt Disney Studios, it is a sort of homecoming. About 10 years ago, Universal’s Moulding Shop was sold to Disney and combined with Disney’s existing operations. This Shop creates fine wood mouldings including doors, window sashes, props, cabinets, hand rail, easements, and custom milling.
“We are happy that we can continue to offer our services to our clients,” said Mark Jensen, manager of the Moulding Shop. “NBC Universal’s commitment to quality is right in line with how we’ve run the Shop from the beginning.”
“The high-level of craftsmanship and the speed that both these shops can deliver is a great asset to production and construction clients,” said Dave Beanes, senior vice-president of NBC Universal Production Services. “We are proud to have their work available to a diverse client base.”
The NBC Universal Staff & Moulding Shops are part of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric and 20%-owned by Vivendi.
