SINCE WE INTRODUCED the StageScreen® and FocalPoint projection screens a few years back, we’ve heard from many dealers about the advantages these modular screens—and the DuraLoop™ snapless viewing surface attachment system—bring to the table.
One of these stories came to us from Karl Reynolds, of Reynolds AV. Karl was approached earlier this year to provide a projection setup for the high school in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania. Spring Grove was hosting a special showing of a 45 minute movie about the history of Glatfelter Paper, a worldwide producer of paper products that started in Spring Grove (then known as Spring Forge) way back in 1864. There was a catch, though: The client wanted a wide 16:9 format screen, but had a height limitation of 15 feet.
Karl’s first idea was to rent a portable rear projection screen from a national vendor his company works with. But then he got the quote.
“I had to pick my jaw up off the floor,” Reynolds recalls. “With all of the freight associated, renting it was going to be as much as half the cost of purchasing the surface outright!”
Then Reynolds remembered he had two Draper StageScreens in his inventory. Neither was big enough for the job—they were both 15’ X 20’—but the modular nature of the StageScreen gave him the flexibility to—in a way—make something out of nothing. Instead of renting the screen from a vendor, Karl decided to buy a 26.5 foot rear projection surface from Draper and build a new frame out of the pieces he had on hand.
“Since we were providing only one screen,” he says, “We had enough overall frame pieces to build the wide frame without buying any additional frame pieces.”
Reynolds says the StageScreen offers many advantages, but this job really brought home the screen’s ROI, and the impact it can have on savings for both the dealer and the end user.
“Based on the rental quote, with all of the transportation expense, in theory two rentals will pay for the surface,” he says, adding, “However, now that we own the screen in-house we will not need to charge the additional transportation cost.”
The ability of the StageScreen to handle rear projection surfaces was also important on this job. Reynolds says he always prefers to go with rear projection whenever possible, and there were several considerations that made front projection unacceptable in this setting.
“There were a few opening remarks. If we would have done front projection, people would have seen shadows on the screen when they walked in front of it,” Reynolds points out, adding that the event was a success and the screen, as always, received high marks. “It was perfect! Every time we roll into a venue with our StageScreens, we always get compliments as to how much easier the bungee loop system is as compared to ‘those damn snaps’.”
In addition to the 15’ X 26.5 foot StageScreen, Reynolds also provided an Eiki XT6 (16,000 lumen projector), MacBook with PlayBack Pro, line array sound system, and LED lighting. The screen was flown from a 30’ truss with two chain hoists.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
