Connecticut | Corporate | Filmmaking | Local Industry | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | Reports | Rhode Island
Studios in the Making
Written by Kellie Speed | Posted by: erin
Studios Currently Operating and Available
KAY Studios
Where – North Kingstown, RI (located between Newport and Providence)
What – Full-service motion picture company, operating stages for film and video production.
Who – Named for managing partner Marcus Thomas’s mother; he formed the company with Greg Gormley. The 85,000 square foot Stage Six studio offers 35,000 square feet in production offices, a 20,000 square foot mill shop, and a 30,000 square foot stage area. They also have locations in East Providence, RI and Foxborough, MA.
www.kaystudiosri.com
Franklin Business Center
Where – Franklin, NH
What – Film studio space located in former Franklin mill building, comprising artist studios, conference rooms, industrial spaces, self storage and office space.
Who – Alex Gorelik, co-owner of Mass Investment Group. Located in a historic six-story 1865 mill building with more than 186,000 square feet of space, studio executives may rent the space (for free on a trial basis) giving young filmmakers, startups and even students a chance to kick start their companies.
www.massinvestmentgroup.com
Construction Slated for 2009
SouthField Studios
Where – Weymouth, MA (former site of South Weymouth Naval Air Base)
What – 30 acres, 11 sound stages, production offices, and more than 125,000 square feet of retail and general office space.
Who – International Studio Group. SouthField Studios will feature an interactive film and television tour so that guests can have an inside look at the making of movies and TV shows.
Update – Construction is slated to begin in August 2009.
www.southfield.com
Plymouth Rock Studios
Where – South Plymouth, MA (on the current site of Waverly Oaks Golf Course)
What – 240 acres, 14 soundstages, back lot, village center, hotel and education center. It will also be the first LEED certified studio in the world.
Who – Hollywood East, a group of Hollywood investors led by former president of Paramount Pictures, David Kirkpatrick, recipient of both Golden Globe and Emmy awards.
Update – Plymouth Rock Studios hopes to begin construction later this year, to open by the fourth quarter of 2010, and is expected to provide more than 2,000 jobs.
www.plymouthrockstudios.com
Construction TBD
Swift River Studios
Where – Former Strathmore paper mill in Turner Falls, MA
What – Two sound stages, two multi-camera broadcast stages, recording studio, multiple insert stages, and post-production suites.
Who – The Swift River Group, led by John Anctil.
Update – The Swift River Film Fund will provide the equivalent of $10 million in financing annually for four feature length fiction and documentary films. When complete, the entire area known as the Strathmore Mill complex will house 88 “green” hotel rooms, three restaurants, museums, bars, bike trails and art exhibits. According to The Valley Advocate, “Anctil’s already invested a great deal of his own capital into the project, and the town’s also made financial concessions, but success hinges on the Swift River plan’s being approved so the group can take advantage of a number of government-sponsored economic incentives.”
www.swiftrivergroup.com
Rhode Island Studios
Where – Hopkinton, RI, off Route 95 at Exit 2, near the Connecticut border, about 40 miles southwest of Providence
What – Proposed 155,000 to 200,000 square foot facility that would offer eight stages, production, office and lot space on 100 acres, which would also include a 150-room hotel.
Who – Pacifica Ventures, a real estate development company that specializes in film production facilities. The studio would target large feature films and generate more than 500 jobs.
No Update
www.pacificaventures.com
Hollywood East/Area 51
Where – Stratford, CT, a former Army Engine Plant on 78 acres along the Housatonic River, 54 miles from New York City
What – Possibly over 30 soundstages, which would make it one of the largest independent movie studios in the country.
Who – Hollywood East/Area 51 is a consortium of investors led by Allen Christopher. The group won the bidding for the property in April 2008, according to The New Haven Independent. The site awaits clean-up from environmental damage left behind by the US Army.
No Update
http://51.tv/
Summary
By the end of summer 2009, there will be numerous projects underway with some big changes happening for New England by 2010. NewEnglandFilm.com will continue to keep you updated as construction of these studios progresses. Feel free to contact us with your updates at news@newenglandfilm.com.
