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November 2024 by Austin Smith
I had the pleasure & “opportunity” to work here as an unpaid intern here in 2018, at the time I didn’t realize the discrimination I was experiencing here, maybe because I was only 17. To give some background I landed the opportunity to work here through a recommendation I received from a separate internship attempting to help me get prerequisites on my background to help further my endeavors to earn a union card within the film industry.
Around this time Lawrence Daufenbach (company owner) had his first new born. (daughter if I remember correctly) Which he was kind enough to bring around and introduce me to at a company party. Though he was kind enough to do this, he also had the courtesy and kindness to ask me about my religious background, the environment I resided from and lived in, and all sort of camera related things. (Sarcasm)
During my time here I myself considered myself a competent worker and asserted myself as an intelligent and self assured person. I’d complete all my task ahead of time and gained as much knowledge as I could from the workers there in my downtime. I even showed I was able to maneuver in fields outside of the internship. For example, one time during my time here I told Lawrence and many of the crew members to try investing into a stock I was researching, they’d be having a reverse merger at the next company meeting. (Which one person out the office did.) and a few days later that percisely happened and whatever was invested was tripled, and this happened while we were all working actually and one of the crew members called me excitedly pointing it out telling everyone.
Because there was so much downtime I asked if it would be fine if I read occasionally which I was told, “yes that should be fine”. The 2 books I decided to read were The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and the U.S. Constitution. I’m assuming this is why I was asked my religious beliefs (Malcolm was a known Muslim, I although am not Muslim.) I’m also assuming somehow studying a political & historical figure within my community to myself is offensive. I was also told there was no need for me to study the constitution, it was old and outdated. Lol.
Though I learned a few things here, I was earlily terminated maybe a week or 2 before my internship was complete when I was initially told that I’d possibly work an extra month here as an intern if I wanted to learn more especially because of how many people took a likeness to me. And I also had to deal with the headaches of false emails being sent to my referrer of my “misconduct” which I never understood was what & that I should apologize constantly. Though there were few good moments here with many of the clients I met and my staff my experience here has lead me to believe I was being used as a poster child because of the demographic. Maybe if there were clarity I would understand whatever problems (if that’s what you want to call it) better I caused. But from my perspective this was the definition subtle discrimination because if I were any other ethnic group than “black” I’d have been an exceptional candidate at this company.
Thanks for the read. ❤️
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September 2023 by David Perry
An excellent team these guys are. Very willing to go above and beyond to ensure you get the right package you need for your production.Thanks again for hosting my actor's group. I'll see you all again.
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July 2022 by Jennifer Karum
Stephen and the team have gone above and beyond to help Lakefront Pictures get the supported needed for all productions. The team has a wonderful attitude and is always willing to do whatever it takes to make the client happy. They are a fair team of professionals and I highly recommend them for your production needs!
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July 2022 by Ryan Atkins
Great people whom I've developed a great working relationship with. They have some of the best selection and quality of gear. I've developed very good relationship with this company and intend to continue doing business with them.
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March 2022 by K S Zanika
Great people. Very knowledgeable and helpful. They take the time to explain everything. Quality rentals.
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November 2018 by Mary Kate Knorr
Such a wonderful group! So attentive to client needs and willing to go above and beyond. Absolutely would recommend!!
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September 2018 by Ethan Darla
Chill peeps. Welcoming. Funny.
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September 2017 by gene townsend
Great crew. Good selection of gear.
