Staff

Our History

Celebrating Over 60 Years of Service

Founded by Jack Birns and Cliff Sawyer in 1954, Birns & Sawyer is a famed motion picture camera rental company that has quickly become the premiere place for professional filmmakers to buy and rent production equipment in Los Angeles.

In 1998, cinematographer/gaffer William Meurer acquired Birns & Sawyer and merged the legacy company with his existing lighting and grip company Gunner Lighting; making Birns & Sawyer a full solution rental house for any production.

Michael Shugrue

President & General Manager

Michael Shugrue has worked in the Film & Television Industry for the past 35 plus years.

He is a 4^th generation Filmmaker & Technician.  He has owned and managed rental companies all over North America.  He has won 2 Emmy awards for his Technical and Camera work, and received a Emmy Award recognition for the TV Series “The West Wing.”

He has directed and produced live motor-sports and reality productions around the world.

Mari Acevedo

Vice President & Director of Strategic Sales

Mari Acevedo has 27 years of system integration experience with broadcast camera packages.

Mari started her career in Hollywood with Walt Davis Enterprises/Steadi Systems. She later served at Hoffman Video Systems as Broadcast Equipment Account Rep for system integration projects. As the industry evolved, Mari formed her own company Hi-Def Inc to serve international clients in Digital Cinema and Broadcast A/V.

Mari is versed in all digital camera systems, multiplex systems, LED lighting and all support gear.

Conjie Quiddaoen

Head Lens Tech

Joe Johnson

Director of Rentals

Paula Hill

Accountant & Bookkeeper

Kayla Hodge

Admin/Marketing Liaison

Brandon Epperson

Lead Camera Tech

Matthew Figueroa

Camera/Prep Tech

Wyatt Grennan

Utility Tech

Andrew Pham

Returns Agent