iVisual: The Art Dawgs Resource Guide for Design Media Professionals in Northern California 2009/2010

Image source: RKgrafx, R. Keith Marsalis

Looking for a vintage 1952 jukebox, a 1974 Ted Nugent pinball machine, or a 1984 Ms. Pacman video game to use in your band’s next music video? Need a forensic technical advisor? Or an authentic autopsy/morgue for a scene in your horror film? Wondering how to actualize your wedding day dream of a 1,000-count white dove release? Need bubbles, butterflies, snow, fog, laser-lights, fireworks and/or controlled fire? For whatever reason.

iVisual can help. iVisual, subtitled The Art Dawgs Resource Guide for Design Media Professionals in Northern California 2009/2010, is the The Reel Directory's Bay Area-focused prop supplement. As a 'prop' and services directory for locally produced film and media projects it a valuable addition to The Reel Directory: Northern California's Production Directory, and an alternative to the more LA/NY-centric guides such as The Blu-Book Production Directory and LA 411.

At a slim 144 pages, this first volume was compiled 'by art department professionals for art department professionals' and lists reliable companies familiar with the high pressure atmosphere and tight-deadlines of the media industry. Its introduction acknowledges that this is a fledgling work with the intention of growing over the coming years. To meet that end, its writers call for additional contacts and offer an incentive to companies that provide them. Additionally, to supplement the directory's listings, iVisual has published a prop support telephone line. (415-531-9758).

The directory has the following organization:

Located in the front is a Main Category Index linking broad categories to corresponding page numbers. Examples of these Main Categories are, 'Aircraft', 'Decoratives & Mouldings,' 'Ice Sculptures & Dry Ice,' 'Plants, Silks & Artificial Greenery,' 'Wardrobe,' and 'Wigs, Hair & Hats.' Following is the Subcategory Index which links narrower headings to the broader Main Category headings. For example, if you need caution tape, look under 'Street & Alley Dressings'.

After these two indices are the actual listings, including the company name, address, phone number, related company web site and an overview of each company's services.

The final pages of the directory include the Quick Call Index listing company names and their phone numbers in alphabetical order, as well as an alphabetical list of the personal names and phone numbers of the Bay Area Art Dawgs themselves--Production Designers, Art Directors, Propmasters, Set Decorators and Stylists, all working in the Bay Area.

Note that iVisual is supplement to the Reel Directory and does not have its own bibliographic record in our online catalog. We keep the latest edition at our reference desk under the call number: 791.4 R257 2009/10 SUPPL.