FILM INDUSTRY DESIGN & FABRICATION
Five Ton Monkey is a design and fabrication shop serving the film industry in New Mexico and beyond. We design, build, and finish props and scenery. We are IATSE prop-makers with over forty credits between us. We are here in New Mexico. We understand complex builds, design development and fast turnaround, and we take good communication seriously.
Our Services Include:
- Fabrication in wood, metal and plastics
- Sculptural and textural foam-carving
- Mold-making and casting in silicone, resin, plaster and other media
- Scenic finishes and murals
- Design
- Prototyping
- CAD services in 2D and 3D
- 3D Printing
- CNC routing in wood and plastics (60” x 100” x 12” capacity)
We Make:
- Custom props
- Sets and set pieces
- Custom furniture and architectural millwork
- High quantity turnings, of any number and size
COVID-19 RESPONSE
As the COVID-19 virus began spreading, we had a conversation about what we could do to help people. We determined that we could fabricate protective face shields. We ran through a number of prototypes before settling on one that was strong, inexpensive, fast to produce, and that packed flat for bulk transport.
We designed and honed a production method, tooling and workstations. We put together a supply chain for materials. We did outreach to determine who might need our help. We figured to sell face shields to large organizations to subsidize giving them to others. People started donating money and materials. Then the State of New Mexico asked us to prepare a large order of face shields for test administrators and first-responders. This all happened in a week and a half.
As of mid-July, we have produced and delivered over 130,000 protective face shields to the State of New Mexico, for first responders, test administrators and other medical professionals, and hundreds to the community. We are currently retooling to produce another 200,000 for the State, while gearing up to offer face shields to those operating in the film industry--our industry--and to the larger market.
We are grateful for the opportunity to take on this puzzle—one of design, logistics, fabrication, movement and efficiency, economics, supply chain management, communication, negotiation, follow-through, and sheer endurance. We have worked hard to make it fun and rewarding for the team, and they have responded by achieving the inconceivable, with grace, style and good spirits.
These are the people who have come to work every day, to do what they could to make it safe for those responding to this health crisis:
Elena Battaglia
Peter Cane
Andy Carey
Benjamin Eisman
Michael Grier
Julianna McDonald
Severin Seidl
Max Wagner
Benjamin Ortiz
Kylie Phillips
Petra Ripol
And these are some of the people who have been there along the way, contributing effort, time, money, materials, guidance, equipment, and love to this project:
Michael Mocho
Michelle Miano
Cody Power
Jair Gonzalez
Navarre Nation
James Gould
Tom Lauer
Ed Merta
Fred Shultz
Evan Cutler
Bill Graveen
Jeremy Foote
Bill Horn
Jim Kenney
Derek Roff
Tib Shaw
Jason Fink
Rick Thaler
Jerry Lindahl
Annie Rasquin
Christiane Bougen
Beverly Bendicksen
Ten Bears Souter
Tom Stephenson
Daryn Tenenbaum
Denise and Brandon Abeita
Juan Suarez and Alice Moir
Tom and Anne Blog
Dick Carr and Jan Vanrees
Antoine Khoury and Jodi Franco
Peter Brill and Wendy Lewis
Joseph Seltzer
The LeBlanc family
The Miano family
The Eisman family
The Guido family
Sally the dog
Diego Arancon in the NM GOV Office
Mark Roper and Alicia Keyes at NMEDD
Secretary Bianca Ortiz at NMHSEM
Kelly Hamilton at NMHSEM
Roy McDonald at the NMDOH
Debbie Romero at the NMDFA
The NMDOT
Christina West, Denise Abeita and
Dolph Barnhouse at BKSW
Derek Hermann at Crestline Plastics
Brandon Nall at Reactive Consulting
Chris Ruddy at Big Sky Printing
Brian McKeever at Supply One
Stewart Martin at Texas Specialties
Robert Bower at Hunter Bower
Kelly Boudreaux at IATSE 480
Mark Gilboard at WESST
Robin Benac at Palmer and Co., PA
Jeff Martinez at Sedberry and Associates
Erick Johnson and Angelo Brunacini
Jake Jackson at Jackson Insurance Solutions
Steve Kitts at Rugby
Terry at Peli Inc.
Dee Silver at the Barnhill Bolt Company
Jeff Amos at Denco
Brian Joy at Big Rock Supply
Tom Creighton at MD Building Supplies
Jason DeGroat at Lexar Industries
Lowes in ABQ on Juan Tabo
Heath McCarty and KOAT
Khalil Ekulona and KUNM
And so many others.
To contact us about anything related to COVID-19 : covid19response@fivetonmonkey.com
To contact us about prop fabrication matters: info@fivetonmonkey.com