BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Hollywood is coming to Buffalo!
Great Point Studios, a new $50 million state-of-the-art theater television and film complex, is opening its doors on Niagara Street.
"Filmmakers love Buffalo. They come here all the time," CEO Robert Halmi said. "The city has welcomed the art of film. Having the studio, snow, and a great city like Buffalo is the perfect combination."
The Panic will be the first production to get the cameras rolling.
Actor Stephen McKinley Henderson says this studio is going to be a one-stop shop for rising talents.
"There are so many wonderfully trained artists, craftsmen, and crew people who can get their education right here and get their careers started right here so that's a major plus," Henderson said.
The studio is one of the many ways the City of Good Neighbors is growing, according to Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.
"To have a studio be built in Buffalo by Robbie Halmi who's really a leader and innovator," he said. "Having been the CEO of Hallmark Pictures, having him build a studio here in Buffalo is absolutely amazing. It will take filmmaking in Buffalo to a whole other level."
Yoni Bokser, Executive Director and Vice President for the New York State Governor’s Office of Motion Picture and Television Development and New Media, believes the film industry has helped the economy in New York State.
"Over the past decade, the state's investment in being a film-friendly location has led to economic development. The film production that comes here supports our local small businesses," Bokser said. "And Governor Hochul, through the film tax incentive, has led the revitalization in growth and film in TV in this region."
"Buffalo has really made an incredible resurgence and it's really a cool hip place to be," said Halmi. "Actors love it, filmmakers love it and we're happy to provide the infrastructure of that cool group."
