Fire Recovery Page
Fire Recovery Update – Getting Ready for the New Shop
Our Van Nuys location was destroyed on November 13th due to a fire. No one was injured but the damage was catastrophic. We began immediately with restart plans and those are underway. The fabulous support from our larger community has been miraculous and we're so appreciate to all those that have contributed, it has made all the difference.
UPDATE 3/30/2026
Update: We’ve made real progress, and your support helped make it possible
We want to sincerely thank everyone who has donated, shared our fundraiser, and supported NewRuleFX since the fire. Your help has made a real difference during one of the hardest periods our business has ever faced.
At this point, we have received insurance payouts, and we are grateful for that. But the reality is that insurance only goes so far and it will not fully cover what it takes to make us whole again after a loss like this.
That is where your support has made a direct and immediate impact.
GoFundMe donations helped us get into our new space in Northridge and start rebuilding from the ground up. The money also helped us purchase used tables, tools, and other basic shop equipment so we could get a workable space up and running while the larger rebuild continued. Instead of standing still, we were able to start putting real pieces back together.
Your support also helped us replace our CNC with a state-of-the-art model that not only restored a critical capability, but actually expanded what we are able to do going forward. That has been a major step in helping us rebuild smarter and stronger.
We are proud to say that most of our operations are now back up and running. We are actively producing work again, serving customers again, and continuing to bring more of our full capabilities back online. What felt impossible in the early days after the fire has become real progress, piece by piece.
One of the things we’re especially excited about is our front gallery, which is now mostly complete and displaying many of the props we have available. It has been great to see that part of the business taking shape again and to have a space that reflects who we are and what we do.
We’ve also made major improvements to our shipping and packaging department. The new setup is going to help us move packages out much faster once we are back to 100%, and it is already helping us build a stronger, more efficient foundation for the future.
Even while building out the new shop, we’ve completed many large-scale projects over the last couple of months. That has been a huge win for us. It has shown us that even in the middle of rebuilding, NewRuleFX is still doing what it does best: creating, delivering, and moving forward.
There is a lot happening here right now. We’ve welcomed two new members to our team. We’re preparing to host three TV shows and video productions in our space this month and next month. The shop is alive with activity, progress, and momentum.
And on a personal note, we really love our new home in Northridge. It has been exciting getting settled in, exploring the immediate area, and trying out new lunch spots along the way. After everything we’ve been through, that sense of forward motion and new energy means a lot.
At the same time, we are still not fully rebuilt. There are still major expenses ahead as we continue replacing equipment, rebuilding inventory, improving workflow, and restoring the shop to the level it needs to be for long-term success. Even with insurance, there are still important gaps, and this fundraiser continues to help us close them in practical ways that directly affect our ability to operate and grow.
Every donation has helped turn this from a disaster into a rebuild. Every share has helped more people hear our story. Every bit of support has helped us keep moving forward.
If you have already donated, thank you. Truly. If you have shared the fundraiser, thank you. That matters more than you know. And if you have been considering donating, your support will still make a real difference in helping us continue this rebuild, replace what was lost, and fully stabilize our new shop.
We’re builders. That’s what we do. And we’re rebuilding.
Thank you for standing with us.
--Ryan and Sarah and the whole team at NewRuleFX
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Update 2/8/2026
We’ve completed our move to our new location in Northridge.
New Address:
19416 Business Center Drive
Northridge, CA 91324
We’re still building out the new space and have a ways to go, but we are officially back in operation. Limited fabrication has resumed, and our team is working daily to expand our capabilities.
On Tuesday, February 3rd, we closed the gate on the Cohasset location for the last time. It was an emotional day for all of us. After several grueling, physically demanding days recovering what little could be salvaged from the burned-out shop, we finally said goodbye to what remained.
What was left behind was substantial: inventory, machines, tools, supplies, specialized equipment, and props from both completed and mid-production projects. In just 25 minutes, the fire erased years of NewRuleFX and New Rule Productions history. The scale of that loss is still difficult to fully process.
But the true heart of this company has never been the building or the equipment. It’s the people, the shared experiences, and the work created within those walls—and the ones before them. That spirit has moved with us.
This new space represents a fresh chapter. New stories are already being written here, and we’re excited about what the future holds.
We are now open with regular business hours, though we are far from fully set up. We welcome inquiries for new projects, and we’re steadily adding products back to the site each week as our operational capacity continues to grow.
Thank you for your continued support. It truly means everything.
-Ryan
What Happened
On November 13, 2025, our main NewRuleFX shop suffered a major fire that caused extensive damage to our workshop, equipment, materials, and many of our molds. Since then, we have been working with our landlords, insurance, and our team to sort through the damage, document losses, and plan a path forward.
The move into a new shop space is the next big step in that recovery. We are rebuilding our capabilities piece by piece so we can continue to provide the breakaway props and special effects items you rely on for your productions. (CLICK BELOW for VIDEO)
How You Can Help
We've established a GoFundMe account to provide a safe and reliable mean of accepting contributions towards the recovery of our small, locally-owned FX shop. The funds from this are going directly to purchase immediate need equipment and providing the fastest route to get our amazing and talented team back to work! Thank you to everyone that has contributed and shared. It really means the world to us.
In the coming weeks, we'll begin listing items that we're looking to replace, such as equipment, racks and furniture, etc. If you or anyone that you know has excess items that are in good shape and would like to contribute to our recovery. Reach out to ryan@newrulefx.com
