Al Shapiro

By Erik Cagle Senior Editor Early on it was apparent to LAgraphico that, when it came to the creative and conceptual link in the print production chain, burning the midnight oil was best left to Midnight Oil Creative. The Burbank, CA-based sheetfed printer, with roots tracing back 25 years to L.A. Filmco and A&L Graphico, was founded by Al Shapiro—who started out as a print broker—and his wife Liz. He migrated into color separation services and gradually added sheetfed presses to service the needs of the entertainment, advertising and promotional businesses. "We do a lot of work for Hollywood movie studios," states Peter Szillies,

WASHINGTON, DC—The 14th annual VUE/Point Conference, held here recently, posted almost a 10 percent year-to-year attendance increase. The event organizers also noted that there was a big jump in the percentage of first-time attendees drawn from printing firms. Though historically known for concentrating on prepress and digital technology, this year's conference marks a continuation of the effort to make it a broader graphic communications event. Apart from technical sessions on screening, proofing and CTP technology, much of the 2003 conference focused on management topics such as how printers should be differentiating themselves and avoiding the hazard of selling solely based on price. The title given the