Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Neptune to Launch a Creator-First, Customizable Algorithm Social Platform to Rival TikTok

8 hours ago

Kamala Harris Will Not Run for Governor of California in 2026

9 hours ago

Trump Pushes for Release of Epstein, Maxwell Grand Jury Testimony

11 hours ago

Trump Says US to Hit India With 25% Tariff Starting Friday

12 hours ago

Tariff Revenues Hit Record $150 Billion Amid Trump’s Trade Talks, Fox Business Reports

13 hours ago

Israeli Minister Hints at Annexing Parts of Gaza

14 hours ago

Fed Likely to Hold Rates Steady Despite Trump’s Push for Big Cuts

14 hours ago

What’s Behind California’s Frozen Housing Market?

1 day ago

Marjorie Taylor Greene Is First Republican Lawmaker to Call Gaza Crisis a ‘Genocide’

1 day ago
'Monster' Fresno Fabricator of Theme Park Attractions Adapts to COVID Times
TLBBHMAP3-U010ALB5ANM-348f959abae2-512-300x300-1
By Jim Jakobs, Digital Producer
Published 5 years ago on
April 21, 2020

Share

Adversity breeds creation. Or, in this case, the creators turn to creating something new.
Monster City Studios in Fresno usually takes orders from Disney Parks, zoos, and museums.
But, after having to idle half of his staff, James Powell wasn’t going to sit idly by as a victim of the coronavirus lockdown any longer.
“We pivoted and set up a production line to make vacu-formed face shields using our specialized equipment,” Powell told GV Wire.

Photo of an Indiana Jones "man cave" built by Fresno's Monster City Studios::man
Monster City Studios built this Indiana Jones “man cave” for a Fresno homeowner. (thefresnan.com)

Creativity Beats Adversity

“We’re not manufacturers. We don’t stand in an assembly line,” Powell says jokingly.
Powell wanted to do something to keep his employees working: “So we kind of rag-tag (and) hog-cobbled together a production line and got some equipment.”
His team started making “thermoformed” face and forehead protective shields for sale to the public. The material is much thicker than the popular “maker” style sheet face shields.
Powell launched www.maskandshield.com and the orders started rolling in. They aren’t going to places you’d suspect like hospitals or doctor’s offices. Cemetery workers from across the country have been ordering them. Dentists are using them to protect themselves when they work on patients’ teeth. And NYU is testing out the face shields.
Powell said that 50% to 60% of his sales are to people in the Fresno area. Most of those people are individuals just wanting to protect themselves, he said.

Build a Better Mask

“We also will be starting production silicone, reusable masks in the next week or so,” Powell said.
He says these masks have been tested and approved for use at UCLA Medical Centers and at UCI Health in Orange County.
Monster City Studios says these masks can even be put in the dishwasher. Powell doesn’t envision them going to frontline healthcare workers helping COVID-19 patients, but to support staff in other departments of a hospital or anyone wanting added protection.

 

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Jet Crashes in Fresno County Field, Pilot Aided by EMS

DON'T MISS

Madera Man Sentenced to 34 Years to Life in Fresno Murder Case

DON'T MISS

High Noon Recalls Mislabeled Vodka Seltzers Shipped in Celsius Cans, NBC Reports

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: New Fresno Ordinance Targets Vacant Blighted Properties

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified Trustee Susan Wittrup Responds to $162,000 Payout

DON'T MISS

Visalia Suspect in Fatal Assault and Serial Sexual Battery Cases Arrested in Alaska

DON'T MISS

Canada Says It Intends to Recognize a Palestinian State in September

DON'T MISS

Dubai Nut Processor Aims for October Opening in Fresno: Dyer

DON'T MISS

Costa Blasts GOP Over Medi-Cal Cuts. His 2026 Opponent Defends Them

DON'T MISS

Trump Says US and Pakistan Have Concluded a Trade Deal

UP NEXT

Fresno Unified Trustee Susan Wittrup Responds to $162,000 Payout

UP NEXT

Kamala Harris Will Not Run for Governor of California in 2026

UP NEXT

California Under Tsunami Advisory After Magnitude 8.7 Earthquake

UP NEXT

As Trump Cuts Education, Candidates Line Up for California’s Top Schools Job

UP NEXT

What’s Behind California’s Frozen Housing Market?

UP NEXT

Marjorie Taylor Greene Is First Republican Lawmaker to Call Gaza Crisis a ‘Genocide’

UP NEXT

New Gallup Poll Reveals Most Immoral Behaviors In America

UP NEXT

What Does Trump Crackdown on Homelessness Mean for California?

UP NEXT

Trump Says Many Are Starving in Gaza, Vows to Set up Food Centers

UP NEXT

California Governor Candidate Stirs Outrage With Auschwitz ‘Unemployment Plan’ Post

Wired Wednesday: New Fresno Ordinance Targets Vacant Blighted Properties

6 hours ago

Fresno Unified Trustee Susan Wittrup Responds to $162,000 Payout

6 hours ago

Visalia Suspect in Fatal Assault and Serial Sexual Battery Cases Arrested in Alaska

6 hours ago

Canada Says It Intends to Recognize a Palestinian State in September

7 hours ago

Dubai Nut Processor Aims for October Opening in Fresno: Dyer

7 hours ago

Costa Blasts GOP Over Medi-Cal Cuts. His 2026 Opponent Defends Them

7 hours ago

Trump Says US and Pakistan Have Concluded a Trade Deal

8 hours ago

Trump Imposes Scaled-Back Copper Tariff, US Prices Plunge

8 hours ago

Neptune to Launch a Creator-First, Customizable Algorithm Social Platform to Rival TikTok

8 hours ago

Kamala Harris Will Not Run for Governor of California in 2026

9 hours ago

Jet Crashes in Fresno County Field, Pilot Aided by EMS

Emergency crews responded Wednesday evening after a jet crashed into a field in Fresno County, authorities said. The crash was reported arou...

2 hours ago

2 hours ago

Jet Crashes in Fresno County Field, Pilot Aided by EMS

Lavale Vean Jr., 28, was sentenced Wednesday, July 30, 2025, to 34 years to life in prison for the 2017 murder of Roberto Ramos in Fresno. (Fresno County SO)
4 hours ago

Madera Man Sentenced to 34 Years to Life in Fresno Murder Case

High Noon has recalled some vodka seltzers after they were accidentally labeled as Celsius energy drinks and shipped to six states. (Shutterstock)
5 hours ago

High Noon Recalls Mislabeled Vodka Seltzers Shipped in Celsius Cans, NBC Reports

6 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: New Fresno Ordinance Targets Vacant Blighted Properties

Fresno Unified Susan Wittrup
6 hours ago

Fresno Unified Trustee Susan Wittrup Responds to $162,000 Payout

Adrian Hernandez Medrano, 20, accused in multiple sexual battery cases and a fatal assault in Visalia was arrested in Alaska, police said. (Visalia PD)
6 hours ago

Visalia Suspect in Fatal Assault and Serial Sexual Battery Cases Arrested in Alaska

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to journalists outside his office on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada June 30, 2025. (Reuters File)
7 hours ago

Canada Says It Intends to Recognize a Palestinian State in September

7 hours ago

Dubai Nut Processor Aims for October Opening in Fresno: Dyer

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend