By Bill Parry
A new film and video production house has opened in Long Island City.
Mauricio Arenas and a couple of friends took over a 3,500-square-foot space that used to house a construction school, at 21-38 44th Road. Court Square Studios offers video production, studio space rental and post-production services.
“We’re a group of friends doing this independently and we’d like to build it into an artists’ community,” Arenas said. “We’ve had shoots for music videos and interviews for documentaries already. Besides film and video production, the space can be used for rehearsals and anything else to do with arts and entertainment.”
In addition to the main studio, there are four other rooms that can be used for makeup, wardrobe and even classrooms.
Arenas had a small photography studio next door when he saw the school moving out of the building. He joined with two longtime friends from the film industry, Jenny Bousquet and Hernan Guerrero, to open the production facility.
“Long Island City is a good location for filmmaking in the city. Silvercup Studios is just a few blocks away and Kaufman Astoria Studios gets bigger and bigger. Perhaps we will pick up some extra business from them,” Arenas said.
A resident of Long Island City for two years, he only recently learned of Rockrose Development Corp.’s plans to turn Court Square into an entertainment hub. In addition to four residential high-rise projects in the area that will cost $1 billion, the developer will also introduce retail space for restaurants, bars and even a music venue.
“We just jumped into the idea when the space became available. Later on we found out what Rockrose is planning to do in Court Square. That’s awesome. We’re in the right place at the right time,” Arenas said.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
