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LAX Magazine Article

Quixote In Scene Magazine

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the legend of quixote

Handed down from generation to generation, these are the inconceivable origins of a premium studio services company. Read on, and tremble at the merciless takeover of Los Angeles media production by two UCLA English majors. And discover, if you dare, the dubious inspiration behind and mystifying pronunciation of the name Quixote (kee-HO-tay).

How did Quixote become one of the most trusted and successful media production studios in LA and other fictional universes?

It began countless ages ago in 1992, when Mikel Elliott began driving commercial photographers from shoot to shoot in a big, comfy motorhome. Growing demand for his transport services inspired Mikel to purchase another rig and enlist his old college buddy, Jordan Kitaen, to take the helm of the other half of his massive dual-vehicle fleet.

By the time they began customizing (i.e., pimping out) their third motor home, the two impetuous Los Angeles natives realized that beyond just offering basic transportation, their business could change the face of film and production services.

But that business would need a name. A name that inspired confidence. One synonymous with crystal-clear thinking and efficiency.

But instead, they chose the moniker of an insane farmer from a 17th-century novel. In the story Don Quixote de la Mancha, Don Quixote reads so many novels about knights in shining armor, he starts to believe he is one. And so he sets off, with rusty sword and battered shield in hand, to fight for the honor of his fair lady, Dulcinea, a manly-looking peasant girl. Despite the fact that Quixote promptly loses several altercations with windmills, it is his relentless optimism and dogged refusal to accept the limits of reality that makes him the perfect model for Mikel and Jordan’s business.

Quixote Studios’ commitment and ideals are equally unwavering and unquestionable, although generally not to a point that requires heavy medication.

That’s why, to this day, Quixote employees think of themselves as soldiers of fortune, trained to disregard the limits of reality—or pains of inconvenience—when it comes to supplying facilities, equipment and vehicles to the entertainment and advertising industries. Some might call that crazy. We prefer to call it Quixote.

Timeline

re-sort: Now to Then

03/95:

Stylish, convenient and pimped-out for production, three custom-built Quixote motorhomes begin serving location photo shoots—and, occasionally, margaritas.
07/97:

Quixote opens their first multi-studio photo-and-event facility at 7070 Santa Monica Blvd. Welcomes itself to the neighborhood with a fancy gift basket that looks like it cost at least $200, but was actually purchased at Costco for 100 bucks.
11/97:

Quixote builds the Q1, the world’s first pop-out production trailer. Prematurely sets sights on space travel.
08/98:

Quixote expands to a larger facility in West Hollywood. Giorgio Armani comes calling and throws a party you heard about, but couldn’t get into, the one where Eric Clapton played and displayed 100 of his guitars for auction. The tipping point is achieved.
04/99:

The world’s first tandem production trailer, the Q2, is commissioned after being built entirely onsite in Quixote’s secret underground lair, located deep beneath La Cienega Blvd.
01/00:

Quixote Studio Store opens, offering global shipping, competitive pricing and the world's largest selection to feature films. Briefly refers to itself as the “Wal-Mart of Studio Stores,” until a cease-and-desist letter puts an end to that.
09/01:

BMG Music hosts an elaborate party at Quixote after its artists sweep the Grammys. Later, Quixote sweeps up after the artists.
02/02:

Quixote leases a 6,000 sq-ft. building, one block east of the main West Hollywood campus and unveils its ultra-private Stage 4. Security is eased back when CEO Mikel Elliott is denied access.
04/02:

Quixote trailer division rolls out the Q3 production trailer, featuring the industry’s first satellite internet system. Mikel’s brick cell phone is reluctantly retired.
10/03:

Quixote acquires one of its sub-vendors and quickly establishes itself as a force in Grip and Lighting, Production Supply, and Communication rentals. Teamsters rejoice—while on the clock, of course.
04/04:

Q4s are launched featuring more interior workspace and a new, swankier interiors, featuring genuine swank.
05/05:

Quixote Studios turns 10 years young, son!
12/05:

Quixote acquires 5 new stages in Griffith Park, bringing the number of Quixote stages to 9, ranging in size from 1,800 to 39,000 sq. ft. Blames freakishly rapid growth on pituitary-gland disorder.
03/07:

Smashbox takes over Motown West Hitsville studio and D.I. theatre. Renames it “Stage 5” and creates a full campus-like environment in West Hollywood. Continues to garner R-E-S-P-E-C-T in the industry.
11/07:

Quixote merges photo assets with Smashbox. Creates a separate Smashbox LLC. Quixbox LLC just doesn’t have the same ring.
06/08:

Smashbox launches the FACE OFF International photo and film competition. First entries are rather horrific, due to some confusion with the name of the show.
02/09:

Quixote’s Fast & Easy Warehouse is born, housing Production Vehicles, Trucking, Production Supplies and a Studio Store under one roof.
04/09:

Quixote acquires PTS trucks and moves them to Fast and Easy warehouse in Hollywood. Trucks become faster. Service becomes easier.
07/09:

Smashbox starts their foray in the social media arena with their Creative Culture Blog “Yello!” (www.smashboxstudios.com/yello). Spends weeks coming up with color scheme for site.
10/09:

It's a digi-world, folks. Quixote partners with Magia Media and forms Smashbox Digital which births amazing digital services for still and video clients.
01/10:

Quixote throws epic celebration for their 15-year anniversary and Smashbox’s 20-year anniversary. Suffers through even more epic hangover the next day.
03/10:

Quixote acquires Line 204 Production Trailers and increases production trailer fleet size by 40%. Vroom Vroom…
07/10:

Smashbox Cosmetics is bought by Estee Lauder, garnering the International makeup brand a 1/3 stake in the photo studio business. Celebrates with makeovers for entire staff.
08/10:

Quixote relocates their LA grip and lighting warehouse to its own separate building, allowing stage hands more room to lace gear and enjoy breakfast burritos.
11/10:

Quixote heads east and opens studios and G&L warehouse in Boston. Locals refer to the new place as “wicked.”
02/11:

Quixote sends the Verde motorhome to the Big Apple, giving New Yorkers a taste of Hollywood luxury on their city streets. NYC responds by sending Papaya King to Hollywood.
04/11:

Smashbox Photo Rentals relocates to Quixote’s "Fast & Easy Warehouse" in Hollywood, creating a picture-perfect marriage between trucking, production supplies and photo rentals.
05/11:

Smashbox Studios acquires a 32k sq ft lot next door, making the client and event parking experience smoother. The paparazzi start buzzing about.
06/11:

Due to overwhelming demand, Quixote sends a second Verde truck to NYC with a bagel-craving driver on board who doesn’t quite follow the “don’t eat and drive” law.
07/11:

Quixote opens Studio Store Operation in New Orleans. Staff definitely not distracted by Jambalaya recipes online. Definitely. Not.
09/11:

The SB375 Photo Grip Truck is released and ready to shake up the LA photo scene.
10/11:

Smashbox Photo Rentals introduces the SB375 Photo Truck as its highlighted location truck with a generator on board; easy portable power with one nifty lighting package to accompany it.
01/12:

Stage 10 opens its doors at Quixote Studios Griffith Park. It aims to host silent-but-deadly Insul-Quilt sound-proof production goodness.
03/12:

More Verdes are spotted on the streets of NYC. Instagram blows up from all the uploads. @QuixoteStudios #QuixoteStudios #MoHosinSoHo
06/12:

Quixote completely reinvents LA’s Verde motorhome game, by introducing solar powered production models to the fleet. The long standing power is rumored to actually be kryptonite.
08/12:

Quixote breaks ground on two giant sound stages in New Orleans and buries 4 gold coins and an heirloom tomato in the foundation for good luck. Let the "Big Easy" production life begin…
10/12:

Employees can not handle influx of random date requests. Chat option is removed from website.
01/13:

Quixote Trucks continues to expand fleet and raise funding for another dozen, which are already on second hold.
03/13:

Rumors of Smashbox’s Culver City campus going under construction for a long overdue facelift are neither confirmed or denied.
4/13

Pow! Quixote clients can now walk into a brand spankin’ new front entrance on the stages in WeHo. No injections, just a good ole’ fashioned lobby-lift with a sleek video wall looping the latest eye-feasts.