Vidcam Rentals, located in Burbank, has been servicing commercials, reality, documentary, and independent feature productions for almost 25 years. Mark Gouldy and Clay Harrison, Vidcam owners and themselves experienced gaffers/key grips, trust Matthews as the grip and lighting support standard they stake the Vidcam name on. From 1 Ton-to-3 Ton, Gouldy and Harrison stock all their grip packages with necessities from Matthews Studio Equipment.
Their relationship with Matthews was seeded 35 years ago. In the ‘90s Gouldy and Harrison ran Half Day Video, a smaller forerunner of today’s Vidcam. Gouldy recalls, “When we started a Half Day Video, we were doing a lot of MTV and talk shows so we needed more equipment. Ed Phillips and Linda Swope at Matthews helped us find the gear we needed and got it to us on time at a special rate. We love Matthews because they really helped us get going.”
One-Stop-Grip-Shop
Vidcam has made a name for itself as a one-stop-shop for small to medium productions. “We specifically supply lots of reality shows from small too big. Vidcam provides the camera, the sound, the grip, and the lighting all together–we have pretty much everything you need to do production right. Plus, we offer a lot of hands-on experience and full customer service.” The most stocked item at Vidcam? Matthews C-stands. The rental house boasts over 140 C-Stands. Each sprinter van 1 Ton package boasts 12 C-Stands, while the newest entry, a 3 Ton grip truck comes with 20.
Along with the meat and potatoes a la carte offerings of a rental house, Vidcam has a four-vehicle fleet, including three sprinter van packages, 1 Ton and 1.5 Ton, plus the new cube truck, a 3-Ton package designed service the next level of production needs.
Stocking the 3-Ton
When it came to outfitting the new cube, Vidcam started with Matthews. “We purchased a brand new F5500 Ford truck, and we customized it to hold all the Matthews equipment,” enthuses Gouldy. From C-Stands, Combo Stands, Baby Stands, Low Boys, Roller Stands, and almost clamp, the Matthews ‘M’ can be found across the truck’s inventory.
A size-three shelf was built for easy organization and access, with additional boxes installed to hold 2’, 4’, 6’, 8’, 12’ and 20’ of 1.25in speed rail for a Dana Dolly, slider, menace arm, etc. The truck comes complete with custom 12’, 8’ and 6’ by frames featuring solid, double and ultra-bounce. Gouldy summarizes, “We pretty much included everything we possibly could to make sure that whoever rents our truck will have everything that they could possibly need if a director throws a fastball at them.” And don’t forget the dirt, there’s even Matthews sandbags on board, to help keep any production stable.
Gouldy knows all about preparing for unexpected production ask. After all, it is not unusual for the staff of Vidcam to themselves be the ones on set improvising a solution. With working grip and electric crew on staff, Vidcam has the ability to send crew if a production requests it. “We have clients that hire us directly to work on their shows, bringing our equipment with us.” That’s why they only stock gear they know they can rely on.
A Lasting Collaboration
After three decades as a staunchly loyal customer, Vidcam has become a supportive partner in return, including helping at tradeshows and events, including Matthews’ 2025 NAB ‘Great Grip-Off Put Put’ themed booth. Vidcam’s own Spencer Dubaich, traveled to Las Vegas to assist in rigging and programing lighting and camera for the booth build. When Matthews moved offices in 2022, Vidcam even moved into one of Matthews’ old buildings on Buena Vista. “We have a real relationship with Matthews–from our location, helping at NAB, and buying their equipment, to counting on the great support from the people at Matthews. We are so comfortable with them, that no one else has a chance to steal us away,” concludes Gouldy.
Check out Vidcam at vidcamhd.com