Feb. 19, 2014 By Michael Florio
Filmmakers and budding filmmakers.
A new film and production studio rental space opened in Long Island City last month.
Court Square Studio, located at 21-38 44th Road, rents studio space, cameras, lights, computers for editing, production office space and much more–for experienced film makers and novices.
Mauricio Arenas, along with two friends Jenny Bousquet and Nicole Gonzalez, developed the studio after taking over a location that used to be home to a construction school.
Arenas, who has been working with filmmakers in Long Island City for the past five years, seized on the opportunity to open the studio after he discovered the property was vacant.
“The space became available and we jumped at the idea to make a community production house,” he said.
The 3,500 square foot studio can be used for music videos, documentary interviews, rehearsals and filming, Arenas said.
“We are a production house. You walk in here with no film and you walk out with one,” Arenas said.
The studio also rents out classrooms for casting as well as production offices. Filmmakers are also able to edit at the studio, but Arenas says his staff will help edit films if budding film makers do not know how. The studio also host events, such as screenings.
Prices vary depending on how long the studio is rented. Equipment such as cameras, green screens, lights, a light crane and projectors are available. The studio does not possess a soundboard yet, but is working on obtaining one.
“They could come empty handed and we can rent the equipment they need to film,” Arenas said.
He believes that Rockrose Development Corp.’s future plans to develop Court Square into an entertainment center will be great for business.
“We are entertainment,” he said. “It’s all pretty awesome.”
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