History for Hire Shows How “Film Works”

On January 27, 2010, Film Works staffers happily accepted an invitation from North Hollywood-based History for Hire to visit their prop house and deliver a large Film Works banner for on-site display.

The company, run and owned by Jim and Pam Eylea, has been a strong Film Works supporter from day one.

Many of the props and set decorations used for last December’s Film Works launch event — like the historical cameras in the picture on the right — were loaned by History for Hire to Film Works free of charge.

The company, as profiled by the Los Angeles Times last year, fills an interesting and vital role in the film & television industry:

The company’s props, which fill a 30,000-square-foot warehouse, have been used in films such as “Good Night, and Good Luck” and “The Aviator” and numerous TV shows, including “The Pacific,” the HBO miniseries produced by Steven Spielberg.

“You don’t just rent a physical item; you rent the research that goes with it,” said Jim Elyea, a 59-year-old Texan. “We know our history.”

Indeed, they do know their history and have a passion, if not a vested interest for getting it right when it comes to accuracy. Recently, History for Hire has been lending its services to an upcoming HBO film about Ernest Hemingway shooting in California, as well as Clint Eastwood’s upcoming film about J. Edgar Hoover, which is staying in-state thanks to the California Film & Television Tax Credit.

When the Eyleas contacted Film Works about their desire to display a large Film Works banner at their 30,000 square foot North Hollywood facility, we jumped at the opportunity.  While visiting History for Hire, Film Works was able to get a submission from Pam Eylea for our “I am Hollywood” video series; we hope History for Hire’s 15 other employees will soon follow suit and post their own:

To read the entire LA Times profile on History for Hire, click HERE.

The History for Hire team and the new Film Works banner gracing the exterior of their headquarters: