Rocky Point-based Filmwerks has a foothold in the events and entertainment industry.
So when COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, began to spread and mass gatherings started being canceled worldwide, the pandemic put a stop to many upcoming projects for the company, said Michael Satrazemis, president of Filmwerks LLC.
Filmwerks builds sets and provides an array of other services and equipment for the broadcast, events and entertainment industry. But during the pandemic, the company has registered as a disaster vendor with 46 states in the U.S. for regional, state and federal disaster relief, with organizations such as FEMA, American Red Cross, U.S. Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security.
The year was heavy with events on Filmwerks’ books, but while working the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, a large PGA Tour golf event, Filmwerks felt the impact of the pandemic after the tour pulled the plug after the first round of play for the remainder of the tournament in March. That was the first big hit for the company, Satrazemis said, which already had people and gear on-site.
“One by one, even without the phone calls, we could see what was beginning to occur once the virus had really spread,” Satrazemis said. “We started watching the news. We knew that large, mass gatherings were probably going to be precluded everywhere in the world. And our core business is providing the infrastructure for mass gatherings.”
While the company has maintained business so far with limited event work and builds some sets internally, some hard decisions could be made in the future, he said.
To bring in more business and to fill facility needs during the current crisis, Filmwerks is now marketing a couple of unique conceptual options for disaster response.
One option is a temporary hard-walled, multi-story structure that can be built in any size up to 20,000 square feet. The structure includes power and temperature-controlled infrastructure, such as HVAC options. Crews could also be provided to build, service and maintain the structure.
The first such building was used last summer as a computer center and production offices for the broadcast of a U.S. Open tennis event, Satrazemis said.
The company has a big inventory of the material needed to build the buildings and is now marketing the structures as an alternative option for hospitals, medical test centers, office spaces and quarantine space. The structures are a steel construction with high wind and capacity loads, Satrazemis said.
The company has put the word out and sent pictures to various government and hospital agencies, including New Hanover Regional Medical Center. But Filmwerks has not yet had any buys for disaster relief.
“I’m certainly hoping it doesn’t go on and hope it peaks and nobody needs this. But as it goes on, we have a structure, a very viable structure, that could be used to augment into a hospital or in whatever capacity,” Satrazemis said.
Filmwerks has designed and built the structures in Rocky Point.
The firm has also modeled another one of its disaster response options after a temporary hospital set up at the Javits Center in New York City, he said.
The company has mocked up a stadium type-scenario for its wall dividers with power distribution, that could link together in any configuration, with options also for a ceiling. The interior and exterior are made for easy cleaning and disinfecting. The wall structures could be used for offices, bedrooms or hospital rooms, he said.
Both disaster facility options are customizable.
“There just seems to be a potential need for controlled environments for people to work in with this virus,” Satrazemis said. “And we have that kind of space. We can create that kind of environment.”
Filmwerks LLC
589 Carver Drive, Rocky Point
No. of employees: 150
Year founded: 2002
Products made locally: Filmwerks has started to market its temporary building and spacedividing structures for COVID-19 relief needs. The firm typically builds structures for temporary film and TV sets, staging and concert; scenic and set manufacturing; installation of TV sports and news sets; and electrical power for film, television and live concert production.
Products distribution: Worldwide
What made the company decide to make goods locally? Michael Satrazemis: “We have been able to grow as a result of exceptional work ethic and craftsmanship in this area. As we have grown into an international business we have opened other sites around the country, but Wilmington remains our HQ for all operations, mainly because of the talent that is here. Much of our equipment is very specialized and not readily available in the marketplace; therefore, we manufacture or modify here in our Rocky Point facility.”
What has changed since the COVID-19 crisis? Satrazemis: “Lack of work in our field. [We’re] now converting our products and skills to aid in virus pandemic.”
What’s next? Satrazemis: “We will continue to attempt a meaningful role in this medical emergency. We will resume our place in concert and TV production. We will look to diversify into other segments of the market that can utilize our manufacturing capability.”
