from September 16, 2009

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Pixel’s Andrew Ryann is optimistic about company’s future.

“We are definitely still here,” says Andrew Ryan, a Pixel Brothers partner, as he punctures the rumor balloons that have been floating around following company layoffs and switching permanent staffers to freelance.

In fact, “business is currently going strong,” he says, citing a rush of production, TV shows and proprietary projects in the in the pipeline.

“We have not closed our doors,” says Ryan, who acknowledged the relocation of the Jerry Springer and Steve Wilkcos daily syndicated shows to Hartford, Conn., impacted virtually all of the company departments.

The two shows comprised an estimated 40% of Pixel’s business.

Pixel’s partners, Mike Torchia, Dave Moravec and Ryan, all director/DPs, had been shooting field segments for Jerry Springer for 10 of the 17 years the show had been produced in Chicago.

Pixel partners Andrew Ryann, Dave Moravec and Mike Torchia

Before the double whammy of this year’s recession and the Springer-Wilcos departure, Pixel had 27 full-time, permanent employees and subsequently reduced that number to its current fulltime staff of 10, in addition to the three working partners.

To reduce overhead last March at the depths of the recession, Pixel laid off five mostly administrative people. Then, six editors who had worked on the Springer-Wilcos shows opted to move with the shows to Hartford, while two editors remain on staff.

The permanent employees who were let go and have been called back on a freelance basis.

“After a really tough first quarter, sales have been strong the last few months,” and Ryan is optimistic about “a powerful fourth quarter and 2010.”

Current projects are studio shoots and promos for ABC Disney’s “At the Movies,” branded entertainment and spots for “The Treasure Hunters,” traditional corporate work for the Wrigley Company, web building for an Omaha health care provider and for an online documentary and storage company, among others.

Development director John Patterson continues to represent the company in Los Angeles for TV projects.

While the surge of business has been very encouraging, Ryan candidly states Pixel Brothers would welcome an equity partner or a company interested in partnering with or acquiring the company.

Meanwhile, the company prevails, and rumors of its demise, to quote Mark Twain, are premature.

Pixel Brothers moved a year ago to a renovated 12,000-sq. ft. facility in a former manufacturing loft at 400 N. Wolcott.

Phone 312/733-7373; see pixbros.com. —Ruth L Ratny

I wouldn't have the job I have today (hosting the "Rotten Tomatoes Show" in L.A.) if it weren't for the series of "InsideChicago" podcasts (basically us running around town having misadventures) I shot with Pixel Bros. These are stand-up guys and I know they're headed for even greater projects. Now that I know they shoot "At the Movies," I can't even think of it as a rival show...."Where's the Cocaine?" —Ellen Fox, The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current

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