Gator Grip and Lighting – The Company

Mailloux Productions, Inc, the parent company of Gator Grip and Lighting, was established in 2013 to fill the grip and lighting equipment needs for film and video in South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Minnesota, Colorado and Montana.

Our Western South Dakota office is located in Rapid City, just 30 minutes away from Mt. Rushmore, 45 minutes from the Badlands, Native American Reservations are about 60 minutes away, Devils Tower is about two hours away, and the Black Hills are our backyard.

Whether you’re looking for plains, hills, hiking, Native Culture, the American Bison, or ever-expanding blue sky, South Dakota and the surrounding states are ideal locations for your next project; and Gator Grip and Lighting will help you all the way.

Our Eastern South Dakota office is located in South Dakota’s largest city, Sioux Falls. A short drive in any direction will take you into the farming heartland, or stay downtown for the city life ideal for any production. Sioux Falls is close to the Minnesota and Iowa border, and just an hour drive from the World Famous Corn Palace. Many scenic and unique places to make your production a success.

Gator Grip and Lighting has also expanded our network, and can work, and provide equipment, as a local in Denver, CO and Minneapolis, MN. However, I’ve worked all over the United States and International, but in all honesty, if you need our services anywhere in the Midwest, and beyond, we will show up and help with all your production needs.

We love working for companies such as Triglass Productions, sureCan Productions, Passenger Productions, Hello Sunshine Films, O’Malley Productions, Bodega Pictures, Red Print Strategy, D&N Cinematics, Current Resident, Storybuilt Media, Blue Key Media, A Collective Us and Fresh Produce, just to name a few.

Currently we offer three fully-furnished grip trucks that are ready to work for you. Go big with our 3-Ton Grip Truck, or reduce your footprint with with one of our two 1-Ton Sprinter Vans. In addition to grip equipment, we also carry a huge selection of quality lights ranging from Arri, Mole Richardson, LitePanels, Astera, Lightstar, Aputure and Quasar.

Need expendables or production supplies? We have you covered! Want to add some movement to your production? Ask out our Matthews Roundy Round Doorway Dolly, Dana Dolly, or our Travato Tote or Porta Jibs.

For a complete list of gear, check out our “Grip Trucks” and “Rentals” pages.

The Man Behind the Curtain – Tracy Mailloux

I have over 20 years of professional production and post-production experience ranging from commercials, web videos, live webcasts, long-form videos, films, and broadcast events. In this time, I’ve become a well–rounded video maker and have significant skills in directing, shooting, editing, motion graphics, grip and lighting. I went into this business because I can’t imagine doing anything else.

It’s fun to meet people and make new friends. To learn from seasoned veterans, and to help teach those new to the industry. To be able to work on big productions, help out on micro-budgets when possible, and just to have fun creating.

In 2012, I graduated, with honors, as a post-baccalaureate from Columbia College Chicago with a BA in TV forPost-Production and Special Effects, with a Minor in Motion Graphics. My first degree is a Bachelor’s of Science in Mass Communications for Broadcasting and Multimedia, with a Minor in Computer Applications from Black Hills State University.

I have had my work recognized and awarded: 2012 Silver Trumpet Winner by Publicity Club of Chicago, The Black Hills AdFed Addy Committee, Golden Hermes Creative Award, AASHTO’s 2011 National Transportation Public Affairs Workshop, Black Hills State University, Columbia College Chicago, as well as First Lady Laura Bush. My freelance clients have included ESPN, NatGeo, ABC, BBC, TruTV, The Travel Channel, MTV, Hulu, PBS, The Food Network, and the US Government. Want to learn more about my work, Click Here.

Curious about the name?

Well, the name, Gator Grip and Lighting, stems from the best summer job ever!

Starting in my early 20’s I would perform educational Venomous Snake and Alligator Programs for the guests every summer at the Black Hills Reptile Gardens (No Joke).

Luckily, I have all my fingers, and a lot of stories to tell.