I'm Sarah Johnson, married to Ryan Johnson, owner of NewRuleFX, a special effects props manufacturer and custom fabricator for theater, film, television, entertainment, and advertising. It’s with a heavy heart that I’m reaching out to share our story. Yesterday, NewRuleFX experienced a major fire originating from an electrical panel. Fortunately, everyone is safe, but the damage to our facility is extensive, and much of our operation has been destroyed. We will now have to find a new place to be able to set up operations temporarily in order to save our business.
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A Message from the Owner
Hi, I’m Ryan Johnson. I’ve always loved movies and TV, but I don’t act, I don’t write scripts—I build things. That’s how I found my passion and, in 2010, founded NewRuleFX in Van Nuys, California.
Over 15 years, we’ve created breakaway glass, fight-safe furniture, severed limbs, fake food, and museum-quality props—you’ve seen our work in more films, TV shows, and commercials than you realize. Real, hands-on movie magic.
Running a business here has never been easy. My wife, Sarah, and I are raising a daughter while supporting our team of ten incredibly talented people and helping our clients bring their visions to life. After the COVID years, we were finally getting back on track; customer and client growth, supplies in, orders filled, and inventory in-stock, ready to ship.
Then, on the afternoon of Thursday, November 13, disaster struck. A catastrophic fire tore through our shop, destroying everything: machinery, computers, tools, molds, supplies, and product ready to ship the next morning.
Thankfully, everyone is safe. But our livelihood is gone, insurance won’t cover it, and our dedicated team is suddenly out of work.
We need your help to rebuild: clear debris, replace specialized machinery and equipment, restock supplies, and bring our team back. This fire affects more than just us—it impacts employees, families, clients, and the community that relies on NewRuleFX.
Your support, in any amount, will help us return to work, restore our business, and keep the creativity alive that so many people depend on.
Next time you see a beer bottle smashed over a guy’s head in a film, you can proudly say, “I was a part of that.”
Thank you,
Ryan
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How You Can Help
We are asking for your support, and our goal is to raise $82,000:
- $50,000 to cover the cost of equipment and materials
- $32,000 for a temporary space to work from for a few months as we remediate and rebuild
In the coming hours and days we will be adding more to our story and promise to share frequent updates with everyone.




