SHARING PSA FOR ALL CUSTOMERS AND RENTAL HOUSES! I contacted my rep at Studio Depot for a set of 10' speed rail which I was able to purchase at a discounted price. I was initially very satisfied with the order and requested that it be fulfilled. I provided my FedEx account number to the representative and authorized him to charge the account for the shipping. However, the representative failed to inform me of the shipping charges before completing the order. After days of waiting, I figured the order was sitting in the shipping cue since I was never provided a shipping cost or tracking number. The shipment arrived out of the blue; and about a week later, I was hit with a $1,507 charge from FedEx which I initially figured was fraud. Come to find out, there was either negligence in the measuring of the package, or ignorance of courtesy, that resulted in an automatic "Ground Unauthorized Package Charge" from FedEx in the amount of $1,250. That meant that the total cost to ship the item without the extra charge was $257, which in and of itself should be reason enough to inform me that the shipping would cost more than the item itself. Nevertheless, were I made aware of any such shipping cost, I would have happily driven from our location in Santa Barbara to LA to pick it up myself. Hell, I'd even bike there. Since then, I have reached out, pleading for a resolution, and the issue has simply been neglected. LONG STORY SHORT: IF YOU ARE PURCHASING ITEMS THROUGH SALES REPS AT THIS COMPANY, explicitly request that they inform you of the shipping charges especially for larger items. I certainly hope that this company increases its transparency with its customers in the future. Don't waste your time or money here. I still hope to see this resolved. read more

This place is pretty sweet. I have mixed feelings about the new location, it's a bit more industrial but the inside is more crowded. The floors aren't carpeted & product is kinda just crammed together. However that def won't stop me from coming here. Just like the older location better that's all! Yes they are a bit pricey, but there's not really a huge market for film equipment. Today's trip I scored some black A Clamps. I know it sounds pretty goofy to get excited about a clamp, but at the same time it's fun to collect smaller items that don't cost an arm & a leg for your studio! Plus, it saves me the hassle from having to spray paint all the clamps anyway! Also I got 20% off my purchase, not sure why, but yay! I will always come back here when I can. The only shitty part is they are open on weekdays only :(. read more

This place, as a retail operation, is a complete joke. First, they confirmed my new magliner was at the store, ready for pickup....I drove 1.5 hours, to discover they've put my cart on a random delivery truck...completely wasted my time and energy....and I had to wait around my office all day just in case the delivery guy showed up...complete cluster. Since I drove all the way up there, I figured I'd pick up some supplies from their storefront....big mistake. I bought two dimmers for roughly $100 apiece (1000 watt) and stuck them in my kit, not needing them for four months...finally I plug them in and BOTH of them turned out to be duds....literally never worked!!! At all!!! I called the management and they were nice but according to policy, they cannot take returns on electrical gear, even if it's never been used....I would understand if I'd used them but they're spotless, brand new and un-used.. Upon visual inspection, you can tell they've never seen a set. Management basically they told me I was out of luck and are giving me the name of a repair guy which I have to pay for.... I feel like there is an honor code in this city and they are breaking it....and as a retailer for industry people Studio Depot should stand behind their products. I simply don't trust them anymore. Needless to say, I will never shop there again. I will also urge my friends and associates to shop elsewhere. There's simply no excuse for a retailer not standing behind the products they sell. read more

Came here on a run and needed five items. I'd called around and found some other stores that had two or three of what I needed, but none had all five. Walked in, handed the guy behind the counter my list and he immediately began pulling all the expendables I'd been asked to get. Meanwhile, another helpful employee got the velcro strips I needed. "Hard side or soft?", he asked. I wasn't sure since no one specified. "I'll just give you both. They're cheap enough anyway.", he replied. Killer service, vast selection and easy parking. read more

Skip it. Not worth you time or money. This store is over priced and the service sucks. You can walk the whole store and no one but the security guard will acknowledge you walked in. There are so many other stores in Los Angeles and on the internet that it makes no sense to use this Hollywood dinosaur. The return policy is just as bad. I bought Lee gels one day and tried to return them the next day. Was told that I couldn't because they didn't know where they had been. Even Kodak will take film back in that short amount of time. We're talking gels here not film. If they decide that you have some thing that they will take back you are hit with a 20% restocking fee. Give me a break. read more

This is another good place to buy stuff if you're in the movie industry. They have stuff for just about every department on a movie set... smoke machines, C-stands, rigging, electrical gear and sound equipment. For some reason it's address is always listed on Sycamore, but it's actually right around the corner on La Brea. If it was ever on Sycamore, it hasn't been there for a while. read more

I was just having lunch with a friend and stumbled upon this store. I was just on the way to Samy's to make a few large purchases to rebuild my studio. The store looks huge on the outside, I would think they will have everything I need. I walked it about 4 - 5 employees hovered behind the counter. NONE of them greeted me. Only one other customer was in the store. The store was hot and muggy. Seem like the whole store was unorganized. Terrible layout, I couldn't find anything I need. I decided to walk around to see what they have. 10 mins in NOT one employee asked if I needed help. Mole Richardson is such a well known name in the industry. Sad to experience such terrible customer service. I can't say I'd go back nor recommend this particular store to anyone. read more

I had a very lousy experience in the store today. I purchased a Set Wear toolbelt that has been giving me grief a while as it doesn't allow any smaller tools to be added on (such as the Leatherman I purchased there). because of the thickness and they made this model with velcro that makes it impossible to adjust. I came in to see if a better belt/model was available. I did not recognize any of the people working there as I normally do. The gentleman who "assisted" me made a rude remark when I asked about simply swapping my belt out. His insulting remark was something to the effect of "Does that line ever work for you anywhere?" I've personally spent quite a bit of money in your store and work on the Paramount lot and at several theatres in Los Angeles. I'm sure we've spent plenty together and don't need to scam people or be cheap with stores (as this dark skinned gentleman was very clearly implying). I then noticed that the 2" belt I was holding which was marked 10.43 was also marked 12.95. There were about 20 or so 2" belts and about half were marked 10.43 and half 12.95. I asked was there a difference in the one I was getting? He told me the price was marked incorrectly and implied he was going to charge me the higher price and not honor the tag! (as he scrambled to pull the belts off the pegs). Outrageous. When we got to the register and he pulled up my account... I stated I would also like my discount applied as well as the marked price. He began muttering about something and then stated in a disgusted tone "I'm not going to quibble over a few dollars" I was extremely offended! Worse... when I got home I found he had put in a different belt than the one I was holding... they were different after all and this one doesn't have the same configuration (close but not the same) and has a similar problem to the one I already have. I've always had a good experience in your store... until now! read more

I cold be wrong, but there is no other Grip & Electric rental house that offers 10,000 sq feet of well-stocked expendables under one roof, in Los Angeles. 90% of the time, every time, I'm usually camera department, but once and a while I'll swing over to G&E to hang lights and pull cable with my brethren. So when I can buy eye piece chamois, cardelinni's and cube taps under one roof, without having to schlep over the hill to Burbank, I'm a really, really happy guy. Re: Staff - say all you want about the staff. I had the pleasure of hiring a few of them for a twin camera short film out in the desert- they know their shit- because they are not clerks, you may not get a smile every time, but if you need advice from a working G&E person with good practical experience in and out of the studio, Studio Depot is the ONLY game in town. Word. read more

Been coming here for a number of years. Everyone on the Mole side and Depot side are always professional, they take care of what I need and give me decent prices. I prefer Studio Depot over most of the retailers in the industry. They tend to be geared toward Lighting & Grip professionals. I've read the bad reviews here and all I can say is a Lighting and Grip retailer exists to provide gear, its not a place to get your ego stroked. read more

This is a store that specials in production related "tools.". They have a wide variety of gear. Some of the pricing is marked up for the studio buyer while other products are cheaper than Samys Camera, Calumet, and Simons Camera. I would have given it 5 Stars had they stocked the Spyderco Rescue knife I was looking for... I hope to be back just before the Holidays to buy gifts for friends and family. read more

I've driven by this place probably hundreds of times and today I actually had a reason to go inside. My earpiece to my radio (walkie takie) that I use religiously on the show I work on pooped out on me finally. I got that one over the Internet, so Studio Depot was the first place I thought of to get one ASAP. I called to ask if they had them in the store, and they did. Lots of parking in their lot in front and when I walked in I was greeted by a young guy who promptly took me over to the counter of earpieces. He pulled out all the different 2 wire surveillance mics and really made sure I was satisfied with what I chose. Very friendly staff and eager to help out fellow peeps in the business. Also, make sure to mention you are in the union or work on a show, discount :) I will definitely be returning to Studio Depot in the future for anything else related to film and tv accessories. read more

I tried calling this location and girl who answered the phone was really slow and did know anything. I asked to talk to the store manager and she said there is no store manager then her dumb ass said "i dont think the store manager can help" latter on in the conversation so apparantly there is a store manager. read more

These guys are pretty cool. If you don't live in the valley and still do film production then you should come here. I hate being a slave to filmtools. While I don't think that these guys are much cheaper they do have all the same stuff and I don't spend as much time, gas, or stress getting there. Minus points for closing at 5pm. read more

Great selection of stuff. This felt more like a professional store rather than a consumer store. Great prices.

This place has it all, from inventory to a friendly staff! I came in with questions and left with answers and exactly what I wanted. Thanks guys! I'll be back for sure. read more

prices are marked up to cheat the customers. you can buy anything in the studio depot store for AT LEAST 25-30% less at other stores. the store is horribly laid out and the staff are salesmen trying to get commission, not cinematographers with honest valuable opinions. read more

Very disappointed considering the Mole Richardson brand. The attitude of the staff in the Studio Depot store should be seriously overhauled by whoever runs such a reputable company name. I tried to return a photo stand I bought and never used. It was still in the sealed box and I couldn't believe the way these jerks acted from the moment I walked in the door. Granite, I didn't have the receipt, but the Studio Depot price tag was still on it and they flat out denied the return in a very unfriendly manner. I could have easily accepted the return policy, but it was how rude the Spielberg wanna-be staff were about it. Whenever I bought something, I never had a problem. There are so many other alternative production supply companies in town. Students and aspiring filmmakers should take your business elsewhere, unless your famous or have money to impress these shallow Hals. Then maybe they'll be helpful. read more