Buffalo’s cinematic journey is reaching new heights that many could never have imagined. Yesterday, crowds of supporters attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for Great Point Studios as Robert Halmi, Founder and CEO of Great Point Studios (and President and CEO of Hallmark Entertainment) and Bob Rich, Senior Chairman of Rich Products Corporation, cut the ribbon for this sensational film studio project that will help to transform Buffalo into an even more desirable film destination.
In attendance at the ribbon cutting was Mayor Brown, studio Developer Larry Quinn, Yoni Bokser (Executive Director/Vice President, NYS Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development & New Media), Tim Clark and Rich Wall (Buffalo Niagara Film Commission), actor Stephen Mckinley Henderson, American Screenwriter Tom Fontana, and numerous other well known and celebrated Buffalo personalities.
Buffalo’s appeal as a film destination is enhanced by a generous 40% tax rebate (40% Tax Credit for Production work and 45% for Post-production work).
Located at the corner of Niagara Street and West Ferry, Great Point Studios is a $50+ million full-service film and television production facility that will help immensely to attract high-quality, budget-friendly features, television movies and series to Western New York.
This comprehensive film production studio features a 20,000-square-feet stage, and two 5,000 square-foot stages, along with 70,000-square-feet of office and support space.
Local filmmaker Peter McGennis inspects one of the 5,000 square-foot stages, stating, “You hear that? This room eats sound! This is a gamechanger for Buffalo.”
The studio’s first confirmed project is scheduled to begin shooting this month.
While the interior of the film and television production facility is loaded with seemingly limitless amenities, the exterior of the building goes a long way to tie into the historic industrial nature of Niagara Street. All aspects of this project were thoroughly considered, and constructed in a timely manner.
Comprehensive film studio amenities include:
Soundproofed to NC-30
A height of 40 ft to the grid
Fully-equipped carpentry areas
Broadcast capable
Editing facilities on site
4800 amps of power per stage
Loading dock for four trucks per stage
Grip and electric equipment on site
Restaurants on site
Sufficient HVAC and power to operate without supplemental units
7 dressing rooms – each with private bathrooms and showers
Bob Rich gifts Robert Halmi a Buffalo Bisons jersey, as Mayor Brown proclaims that he is an honorary Buffalonian
Buffalo has just entered a new universe of space and technology, as far as film making potential goes. It’s exciting to think about the true potential of such a “home run” project.
Great Point Studios is located at 1155 Niagara Street in Buffalo, NY
Get connected: greatpointstudios.com/studios/buffalo-studios
Other Great Point Studios locations:
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