Proudly based in Rockford, IL since 2009!
With a history in all things production, we exist today to support your productions!
Whether you're looking for a few more pieces of gear and the last couple crew members...
Or you need just about every piece of the puzzle - you've come to the right place.
Bonza Media was founded in 2009 as a commercial video production company
By 2015, we were producing largely narrative content for the commercial advertising market. Production value increased, and bigger brands and bigger name talent became part of the equation.
By 2019, we found our productions were taxing the film resources available in Rockford
This left us with two choices:
One: Move operations to a larger film market
Two: Dig in and build more resources here in our hometown
More film production resources in Rockford, IL!
In 2020, Josiah (founder of Bonza), began a new venture to build an independent rent-by-the-day film studio in the heart of downtown Rockford. This separate venture exists today as City Stage Studios
Bonza Rentals was also spun off as a film equipment rental house and is co-located at the same facility
Today, Bonza operates mainly as a connection to production resources in Northern Illinois. Our goal is to help take your projects to the next level.
We turn ideas into productions.
Across the board, most businesses are able to operate 30% more cost effectively in Rockford vs Chicago and other large film markets.
Illinois has some excellent film incentives. However, filming in Illinois but outside the greater Chicago area gives you an additional 5% on labor which can push your tax credit in excess of 45%!
Ok, this statistic is arbitrary. But the reality is, Rockford is much faster to navigate and easier to work in than congested cities.
