Cinelease Acquires Quixote's Grip and Lighting Units to Expand Production Services
Cinelease, owned by Louis Dargenzio, has purchased the Grip & Lighting and Pro Supplies divisions from Quixote, a Hudson Pacific company. Quixote will now focus solely on its fleet business, leading to the elimination of about 60 positions. Cinelease plans to grow beyond film and TV into live events and sports, while Quixote reduces its soundstage footprint in Southern California.
Dargenzio's acquisition spree began last August when his firm Zello purchased Cinelease from Herc Rentals, followed by rigging company C&C Studio Services and barricade provider West Coast Fencing. The Quixote assets will now operate under the Cinelease Pro Supplies banner. Quixote's remaining operations center on its fleet business serving Los Angeles and New York with production vehicles.
The deal reflects broader shifts in Southern California's production landscape. Quixote has downsized to a single soundstage at Griffith Park Studios, while Cinelease positions itself for growth beyond traditional entertainment into live events and sports. California's enhanced tax incentives and efforts to reduce regulatory hurdles may help stabilize production activity in the region.
This consolidation could reshape how production services are delivered in Los Angeles, with fewer independent suppliers as larger platforms absorb smaller firms. The elimination of roughly 60 jobs reflects ongoing pressure in the entertainment sector, though Cinelease's expansion into live events and sports may create new opportunities. Workers and production companies may benefit from integrated service offerings, but reduced competition could affect pricing flexibility for smaller productions.