Intelligent

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Ron Margolis, a West Hills resident with extensive computer consulting experience, knew that the major movie studios spent millions of dollars on the sophisticated equipment used for producing the audio and video portion of their projects.

What if, Margolis wondered, someone found a way to provide some of the same audio and video editing tools to other firms, such as animation companies or corporate clients, at a fraction of the cost?

Margolis started Intelligent Media Inc. in 1994 to do just that.

He and his son, Zeke Margolis, have since transformed a word-of-mouth start-up into a growing business that pulled in $5.4 million in revenue in 1997.

“Ten years ago, a computer-based system cost millions of dollars. Most major film companies owned one, but independents or those on a lesser budget couldn’t afford one,” said Zeke Margolis. “Today, many corporations, rather than paying an advertising agency to do the work, can afford to buy the system for about $25,000 to $50,000 and save money.”

Intelligent Media supplies and installs audio and video computer hardware and software for graphic designers, animators and editors, as well as for larger corporate and educational users.

“We sell sophisticated systems that do online video editing from computer to broadcast,” said Ron Margolis.

The firm not only sells the hardware and software, it builds digital media labs for its customers and teaches them how to use the system.

“We offer co-piloting in order to assist you with learning while you are working on a project that reflects the real-world implementation of any of our digital solutions,” said Ron Margolis.

Phone support also is available and Intelligent Media technicians are always available for repairs, he added. The company also offers six seminars a year providing demonstrations of its technology.

The firm has showrooms in Canoga Park and Venice, where customers can experiment with the technology to find the right tools for their particular needs. The Venice showroom has a complete studio where corporate clients can rent the equipment to do their own productions. The company also builds Web sites.

Intelligent Media sells its services and products to institutions like the Art Center College of Design, Claremont Colleges, Kern County Department of Education and to broadcast clients including Walt Disney Co., Fox Sports, Fox Television and 20th Century Fox.

Individuals and broadcast engineering departments of companies also turn to Intelligent Media for their various services.

Matthew Knox, associate producer for Rutherford Bench, a North Hollywood animation company, said his company uses a series of linked computers Intelligent Media set up to create Saturday-morning cartoons for network television.

Knox said he has come to appreciate Intelligent Media’s product support.

“Ron supplies a lot of equipment for us. In the last year he has installed a lot and it has been a long process, but he has been there for us,” Knox said.

Ron Smith, systems manager for TLR & Associates in Universal City, added that Margolis has been very helpful to his advertising agency, which makes posters and other promotions for entertainment clients, including Disney, Fox, and Paramount Pictures.

“It is important for us to have things working right. You can’t say no to the movie studios,” Smith said. “I’ve done business with Ron for the past three years and his pricing is not only right, but if things go wrong, he is quick with replacements and loans. That way our system is never down.”

Revenue has grown an average of 50 percent each of the last four years, with sales projected to reach $8 million this year.

The company has expanded from two employees in 1994 to 12 today, moving its headquarters from Ron Margolis’ Sherman Oaks home to a 4,000-square-foot building in Canoga Park.

So what does the elder Margolis see in the company’s future?

“I see a convergence of computer, television and communication industries where all are merging with high-speed computer networks where most of television and film finishing is done electronically.”

Zeke Margolis added that having the right technology and skills will bring success to business people in the future. “No matter how old you are, no matter what your gender, color, race, etc., if you can do quality work, the doors will always be open,” he said.

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