Hartford Business Journal

May 17, 2010

Connecticut’s fledgling film industry is prepping for its much anticipated turn in the spotlight.

The state has set the stage with tax credits. Connecticut’s first studio to be built from the ground up is expected to open soon in South Windsor. But will it have the workers?

Some industry officials agree that Connecticut doesn’t yet have the union workforce to fill all the high-skill, high-pay jobs that Connecticut Studios is expected to create.

It’s a dilemma all too familiar to Andrew Gernhard. He is constantly searching for new talent for his Rocky Hill-based company Synthetic Cinema International, which has shot and produced about eight films in Connecticut since 2004.

His company, which mostly concentrates on monster flicks, employs about 40 people during the production process of a single movie. Nearly 75 percent of his crew is locally hired, but the rest are imported from nearby states.

Even though Synthetic Cinema is well known locally and receives dozens of jobs applications a week, Gernhard said it hasn’t been easy finding homegrown talent.

“It’s hard to find qualified people in Connecticut. There is not much of a workforce here yet,” Gernhard said. “We need more skilled people who have experience. Big films are bringing people in from Boston, New York and Los Angeles.”

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Miller is a 35-year veteran of the television and film industry who has managed production sound stages and engineered and designed several major postproduction companies. He was Co-Founder and Co-President of Eden FX—a leading provider of visual effects for episodic television, feature film and commercials.

Miller previously served as Executive V.P. and Managing Director of the successful Santa Monica-based Digital Magic Company which provided Visual Effects for such shows as “Star Trek” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Angel”, the “X-Files” and several feature films such as “Armageddon”. Prior to Digital Magic, Miller was President of Unitel Video Hollywood, a position he was promoted to after spending ten years as Executive V.P. of Engineering and Operations.

“We are thrilled to have Mark Miller as a member of the Connecticut Studios senior management team,” said Ralph Palumbo, chief financial officer/member, Connecticut Studios LLC. “Mark is a high-caliber senior executive who has more than 35 years of west coast television and film industry experience designing and managing highly successful postproduction companies. We brought Mark onboard several months ago and he has been steadily transitioning into his full-time role while working on relocating to the South Windsor area.”

Earlier in his career, Miller held positions as V.P. of Engineering for several post-production facilities including Prime Time Post and Compact Video and as Engineering, Video Control and Technical Director for the CBS Television Network, where his assignments included such award winning shows such as All in the Family, Sonny and Cher, Carol Burnett, The Kennedy Center Honors, Bob Hope in China and the CBS 50th Anniversary special. He served as a location Technical Director for many sporting events, including The PGA Tour, Super Bowls, NFL Football and more.

“Connecticut Studios is going to quickly become a major player in the film and television production industry,” said Miller. “I am eager to bring my Hollywood experience to the east coast and to be able to play a leadership role from the beginning in designing and managing Connecticut Studios facilities and operations. We’re building something unique and special in South Windsor. It’s going to exciting to watch it grow and succeed.”

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences honored Miller with two Emmy wins while at Eden FX for his contributions to the VFX on Star Trek “Enterprise” series (The Series pilot and “Countdown”). He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his Technical Direction for “CBS On The Air”.

Connecticut Studios is currently in the process of reviewing bids and selecting construction subcontractors and expects to break ground later this year.

SOUTH WINDSOR — Connecticut Studios LLC has hired veteran television and film industry executive Mark Miller as president of studio and digital media operations for its new full service state-of-the-art motion picture and television studio, production, and post-production facility.

Miller is a 35-year veteran of the television and film industry who has managed production sound stages and engineered and designed several major post-production companies, the company said Tuesday.

He was co-founder and co-president of Eden FX — a leading provider of visual effects for episodic television, feature film, and commercials.

“We are thrilled to have Mark Miller as a member of the Connecticut Studios senior management team,” said Ralph Palumbo, chief financial officer of Connecticut Studios LLC. “Mark is a high-caliber senior executive who has more than 35 years of West Coast television and film industry experience designing and managing highly successful post-production companies.”

Miller previously served as executive vice president and managing director of the Santa Monica-based Digital Magic Co. which provided visual effects for such shows as “Star Trek,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel,” “X-Files,” and several feature films such as “Armageddon.”

“We brought Mark onboard several months ago and he has been steadily transitioning into his full-time role while working on relocating to the South Windsor area,” Palumbo said.

Earlier in his career Miller held positions as vice president of engineering for several post-production facilities and served as engineering, video control, and technical director for the CBS Television Network, working on many award-winning shows. He also served as a location technical director for many sporting events.

He received two Emmys for his work on the Star Trek “Enterprise” series.

“Connecticut Studios is going to quickly become a major player in the film and television production industry,” Miller said. “I am eager to bring my Hollywood experience to the East Coast and to be able to play a leadership role from the beginning in designing and managing Connecticut Studios facilities and operations. We’re building something unique and special in South Windsor. It’s going to exciting to watch it grow and succeed.”

Connecticut Studios LLC is in the process of reviewing bids and selecting construction subcontractors and expects to break ground this year. The full-service, state-of-the-art motion picture studio and production facility will be located at the intersection of Interstate 291 and Route 5.

Copyright © 2010 - Journal Inquirer

On Tuesday, the project received unanimous approval from the South Windsor Planning and Zoning Commission clearing the way for construction to begin on the project located in the I-291 Gateway Zone at the intersection with Route 5. A groundbreaking ceremony is expected to take place in late May or early June with construction beginning shortly thereafter.

“We invested more the $2 million during the planning and approval phase to ensure that we had a well planned and responsible project that was consistent with town and state goals for real estate and economic development. We’ve met those criteria and are now preparing to break ground this spring.” said Ralph Palumbo, chief financial officer/member, Connecticut Studios LLC. “We anticipate completing Phase I of the construction process and to begin loading our first productions into the facility by the end of the year.”

Construction of Connecticut Studios is expected to create 400-500 construction-related jobs generating approximately $6 million in new employment and sales tax revenues for the state. Once fully operational, Connecticut Studios will support approximately1650 production-related union jobs per year paying an average salary of $68,200 and generating approximately $112.5 million in additional Connecticut payroll. In addition, 54 full time studio facility jobs paying an average salary of $37,500 and generating approximately $2.4 million in payroll are anticipated.

“This project is creating good jobs and long-term economic benefits for both the town and for the state,” said Matthew B. Galligan, town manager, Town of South Windsor. “We’re proud that South Windsor will be the epicenter of a new and vibrant growth industry here in Connecticut.”

Planned facilities for Connecticut Studios include:
·    Eight sound stages totaling approximately 160,000 square feet of space
·    A 30,000 square-foot digital media/post-production center
·    Approximately 104,000 square feet of support space and administrative offices
·    Approximately 75,000 square feet of mill and storage facilities

In addition, Connecticut Studios will provide sufficient space for location shooting and includes room for expansion as the business grows. The facility will utilize renewable energy sources for power.

“We are confident that South Windsor is the right place for us to build a successful world class production and post production facility,” said Hal Katersky, Connecticut Studios LLC. “The town and the state have demonstrated that they believe in the economic benefits Connecticut Studios will bring to the state and have created an opportunity for Connecticut to become a major east coast hub for film and television production. In addition, Connecticut offers a highly skilled workforce to support the studio.”

Construction management for Connecticut Studios is being provided by dck north America. Thomas Gribbin, A.I.A., LEED AP, of Chester, CT-based Noyes Vogt Architects is the project’s lead architect and engineering services are being provided by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc and Gaskell Associates.

dck north america is soliciting bids for construction of four studio buildings, a mill building, and related site improvements for the project known as Connecticut Studios in South Windsor, Connecticut.

All five buildings shall be pre-engineered metal building systems consisting of steel columns, beams, long-span joists, metal decking, and prefinished galvanized steel wall panels supported by steel purlins.  The building foundations consist of shallow concrete footings, walls, and piers.  A built-up membrane roof system shall be provided over each of the four studio buildings and a standing seam metal roof shall be provided over the mill building.  Each studio building houses two 20,000 square foot sound stages and an additional 25,000 square feet of adjoined two-story office space.

Interior construction of the office space includes metals studs and drywall, hollow metal and wood doors with hollow metal frames, suspended acoustic tile, carpet, vinyl tile and ceramic tile flooring.  The soundstages include a hanging steel support grid and full coverage of the soundstage walls and ceilings by sound insulation blankets.

The mill building consists of 75,000 square feet of warehouse type space on the ground level and an additional 30,000 square foot mezzanine for future fit out to a post-production facility.  Each of the five buildings shall receive a two-story hydraulic elevator.  Masonry walls, steel stairs, railings, upward acting sectional doors, aluminum windows and storefronts are all elements of work included in the bid documents.  All related sitework, asphalt paving, landscaping, plumbing, mechanical, fire protection, and electrical work is also included in this request for bid.

All bidders are to note that the project shall be governed by a Project Labor Agreement that each bidder shall be required to enter into as a condition of being awarded work on the project.  The PLA and Subcontract Boilerplate to be used on the project shall be available for download alongside the bid documents.  Bid documents shall be available for download beginning March 31st at www.bidclerk.com  under Project ID 935644, http://dodge.construction.com/, or at ftp://ftp.dickcorp.com/CTstudiosR by login as username: ctstudiosr and password: CTstudiosr.

All interested bidders are asked to return the invitation to bid form that is posted to the ftp site well in advance of submitting bids on April 15th.

For additional information please contact dck north america │1900 State Route 51, Suite 200 Large, PA 15025 │ p. (412) 384-1024 │ f. (412) 384-1150

Kory Loucks

March 24, 2010

SOUTH WINDSOR — After almost two years of planning and deliberating, the multimillion-dollar Connecticut Studios project sailed through the Planning and Zoning Commission with unanimous approval following a public hearing Tuesday.

Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan spoke in favor of the project, saying, “It’s all about jobs. This is an opportunity to create a new industry. We’ve got to keep our local industry going. I think this is just the beginning.”

He continued, “We’ve spent two years on this project. It has been well thought out.”

Following the public hearing, the PZC voted to approve the studio site plans, allowing the project to move forward.

The project also cleared the Inland Wetlands Commission last week and the Water Pollution Control Authority on Tuesday without a hitch.

Connecticut Studios is a partnership between Pacifica Ventures LLC, based in Los Angeles, and Halden Acquisition Group LLC, based in Rhode Island.

Anthony J. Delvicario of Halden Acquisition Group said that the approval was little anticlimactic, but added that he was pleased with the outcome and excited about the future.

“You have to be determined,” Delvicario said. “Whatever it takes to get it done. … It’s a great project. … We are going to be involved in this project for a long time.”

Ralph A. Palumbo, also of Halden Acquisition Group LLC, said developers already have spent more than $1 million before breaking ground on the $50 million project, hiring engineers, architects, and construction contractors.

Town Economic Development Coordinator Craig Stevenson said the groundbreaking is anticipated to take place next month, with construction beginning in June, and the first phase of construction planned for completion by the end of the year.

“I believe this project speaks to all the goals and objective of the I-291 Gateway zone,” Stevenson said.

With the prospect of 1,630 construction jobs, the potential for 4,600 jobs after construction is completed, and $786 million in anticipated annual sales in Connecticut, Stevenson said, “We happen to be fortunate to be at the epicenter of this project.”

In addition to a 75,000-square-foot mill building, 25,000 square feet of office space, and four studios with eight sound stages on 40 acres of land, developers have added a 30,000-square-foot post-production studio to their plans.

The boon to South Windsor will be felt almost immediately, with an anticipated $660,000 in building permit fees, Stevenson said.

And even with $12 million in proposed tax incentives from South Windsor over 14 years, Stevenson projected $1.25 million in annual revenue to the town during that time, adding approximately $107 million to the grand list.

Once the incentive period is over, Stevenson estimated that revenues could increase to as much as $2.4 million annually.

A couple of residents who live on Chapel Road complained about the incessant traffic on their street, but PZC member Lavina Wilson, who lives near Chapel Road, said this project would have little impact on that.

“I feel bad for the people who live right in that area,” Wilson said, adding that the truck traffic from area distributors is particularly bad, shaking homes as they pass by.

But she added that the majority of traffic coming to and from Connecticut Studios will be using Interstate 291 and Route 5 and would have little if any impact on Chapel Road traffic.

Mayor John P. Pelkey said after the meeting, “It’s sometimes hard to believe.”

He added that Town Council members in this and the previous administration made “great contributions to make this happen.”

Galligan agreed, saying, “It’s a great day for South Windsor.”

©2010 Journal Inquirer

Hartford Business Journal

March 1, 2010

Connecticut’s Hollywood dreams are coming closer to a reality.

The developers of the state’s first major film studio in South Windsor have completed a site plan for the project, and are prepared to begin construction as early as June, pending approval from the town, developers said.The plans for Connecticut Studios call for eight sound stages of approximately 20,000 square feet each, a 75,000 square-foot mill building, and 104,000 feet of production and executive offices. A 30,000 square-foot digital media/post production facility will also be erected as part of the project.

The owners of CT Studios are negotiating with production companies to occupy the sound stages by the end of 2010, developers said.

Signs signaling the coming construction were also recently erected along Interstate 291.

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©2010 Hartford Business Journal

Joseph O’Brien Jr.

February 25, 2010

SOUTH WINDSOR — Developers of a proposed $60 million film studio off Route 5 would like to break ground this spring and start building in early summer, an economic consultant for the town said this week.

Craig Stevenson of Connecticut to Connecticut LLC said that if the owners of Connecticut Studios file plans with the planning and zoning commission today, as expected, a public hearing would probably be scheduled for March 23. A hearing before the inland wetlands commission is expected on March 17.

Final approval could be considered as early as April 6, and groundbreaking could follow soon afterward, Stevenson said.

©2010 Hartford Courant

January 25, 2010

SOUTH WINDSOR — The proposed film studio project off Interstate 291 still is moving forward, but, Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan said Friday, it will progress in phases, focusing on the original plan.

“We made a change,” Galligan said. “Their core business is a studio.”

The original Connecticut Studios LLC project planned for 60 acres was going to include a big-box retail center along Ellington Road in addition to a studio and hotel complex, Galligan said.

But because of the difficult financial climate, developers are going to start with the studio and hotel on about 40 acres along Route 5 and add on the retail center later, Galligan said.

Galligan said that across the country major retail companies are holding off on expansions.

“There is not a lot of funding going on out there from banks,” Galligan said, adding that the core plan is moving ahead at the old drive-in theater site along Route 5 and Chapel Road.

“We are trying to bring the costs down,” Galligan said.

He would not release the financial institutions’ names, but said developers have been working with numerous entites to secure financing, which is the norm rather than having just one bank provide all the funding.

The 22 acres that would have been the retail center is owned by Robert Milkie and was the site of a tiger beetle relocation project. It now has a sale sign.

The beetle relocation project cost about $200,000 and was paid for with state grant funds.

Connecticut Studios had paid Milkie for an option on the land, Galligan said, but the option ran out and Milkie is looking for another buyer.

“He’s a businessman,” Galligan said. “He wants to sell his property.”

Galligan said he recently received a call from an out-of-state company that supplies products to film studios that has expressed interest in setting up a presence.

Town Planning Director Marsha Banach said Friday that Connecticut Studio LLC expects to present its site plan to the Planning and Zoning Commission by the end of February.

Galligan said, “We hope to have a shovel in the ground in April. They would like to have the first studio open by the end of the year.”

Once the first phase is completed. Galligan said, the area naturally would attract more businesses and retail establishments.

©2010 The Journal Inquirer