In a move that underscores the growing investor appetite for behind-the-scenes powerhouses in the film and television ecosystem, private investment platform Zello has acquired Cinelease, the industry’s go-to provider of lighting, grip, and studio infrastructure solutions. The deal, confirmed by Stagerunner Friday, marks a significant pivot point in the broader production landscape, with Zello signaling its intention to double down on the physical backbone of content creation.

Cinelease, which was previously owned by Herc Rentals (NYSE: HRI), will now operate as a standalone, privately held company under Zello’s ownership. Leadership continuity is baked into the deal, with industry veterans Mark Lamberton, Chris Rogers, and Gannon Murphy remaining at the helm.

“Cinelease marks a foundational acquisition for Zello,” said Louis Dargenzio, founder and CEO of Zello. “We’ve quietly built one of the most strategic platforms in the entertainment space—and we’re just getting started.”

Founded in 1977, Cinelease has grown from a scrappy mom-and-pop shop into a trusted partner for productions across the U.S. and Canada. Known for its white-glove service model and deep ties to crews and studios, the company supplies lighting and grip rentals, soundstages, expendables, and also manages studio facilities for premium real estate investors and operators.

In Zello’s view, Cinelease is more than just a rental house—it’s an infrastructure platform. The firm plans to leverage Cinelease’s operational footprint to support long-term expansion and innovation in both studio services and equipment logistics.

“Cinelease is built on trust—and a team that studios, crews, and producers have relied on for decades,” Dargenzio said. “This acquisition is about honoring that legacy while leaning into the future. We believe in this team, we believe in this brand, and we believe in the entertainment industry.”

The deal comes amid increasing interest in production infrastructure as streaming content demand continues to surge. With the lines between technology, real estate, and entertainment blurring, Cinelease gives Zello a well-positioned springboard into the core logistics of production at scale.

“This marks an exciting new chapter for Cinelease,” added Lamberton, president of Cinelease. “We’re a company built on service, relationships, and delivering when it counts—led by people with a deep understanding of what it takes to make it happen. Zello brings deep respect for our foundation and the operational scale to help us go even further for the entertainment community.”

Cinelease currently supports thousands of film, television, and commercial shoots annually and maintains a presence in every major North American production hub. Its management of turnkey studio spaces—many backed by institutional real estate capital—has made it a critical enabler for productions seeking reliable, one-stop shop solutions.

Zello was advised by Proskauer Rose LLP (legal), EY (accounting), and American Discovery Capital (financial). MidCap Financial, a lender backed by Apollo Global Management, provided financing and was advised by Paul Hastings LLP. Herc was represented by Sidley Austin LLP and Goldman Sachs.

For Zello—a firm that bills itself as a next-gen platform where “capital, creativity, and operational excellence converge”—the Cinelease acquisition is a stake in the ground: infrastructure isn’t just back in vogue, it’s essential.

And now, Zello is betting it can scale that infrastructure to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global entertainment economy.

Stay tuned to Stagerunner as this story develops…