Jay Samit, CEO of Long Beach Studios, says he’s been in talks with major studios to film a motion picture as soon as escrow papers are complete for the 717 Boeing hangar on the corner of Lakewood and Conant. The property has been in escrow since Nov. 2008, and Samit says the acquisition should be completed very shortly.
According to September reports in the Los Angeles Times, Boeing was experiencing environmental complications, such as removing lead paint from the facility. Project developer Michael Adler told the Times that the construction of the facility would be completed in two phases and the first should be completed by 2010, while the second would be completed by 2011.
When asked about the construction and alterations needed, Samit said, “The lead paint abatement has already been completed and a major production will start filming this year, 2009.” He also says that Long Beach Studios will keep the original landmark “DC Jets” sign on top of the building, which was recently refurbished.
If all goes as planned, Long Beach could be the new “Mecca” of movie making bringing directors from all around to use the state-of-the-art studio, which will include a movie production facility equipped with a water tank stage, retractable wall, accommodations for cast members, a motion-capture studio, with enough space to shoot up to 15 movies or television shows at one time.
“People just fall in love with the space. We are giving artists a bigger canvas to work with,” said Samit. Previously, directors moved production to London’s massive Pinewood Studios for shots requiring greater depth. Pinewood Studios houses 34 sound stages, 10 television studios it also has an audio facility and water filming facility. When completed, Long Beach Studios will be the largest studio in the United States – eliminating the need for directors to travel all the way to Pinewood Studios in England.
Boeing built the construction factory in 1930 and unknowingly created the world’s ideal movie studio – with reinforced walls and floors that do not vibrate, catwalks that support lights and the length of the building allowing director to create realistic depth to shots.
Capitalizing on this unique opportunity, Long Beach Studios has turned the spotlight to a new and untapped market in the City of Long Beach with its ideal location near airports, freeways and shopping centers. Residents of Long Beach could directly benefit from this untapped market with new employment opportunities and a variety of internships for local college students.
“This would be a fabulous internship opportunity for our students. It would give them a chance to work in a professional learning environment,” said Dr. Scott, dean of film at Long Beach City College.
Ricklyn Hukriede is a contributing news reporter and current journalism student at Long Beach City College.