New Film Studio Opens in St. Francis
ST. FRANCIS - Hollywood has come to the heartland as an entertainment studio complex opened right here in southeast Wisconsin.
Organizers cut the ribbon Thursday on a new $6 million entertainment studio, complete with huge film and television sets as well as the possibility of bringing in more jobs for people in the film industry.
Emmy winner (and Green Bay native) Tony Shalhoub was on hand for the opening of the RDI Stages complex in St. Francis.
Until now, filming a movie in Milwaukee meant shooting in outdoor locations, but filmmakers can shoot even their indoor locations on RDI's sets.
Big films mean big money, as the Johnny Depp film Public Enemies brought millions to local Milwaukee-area businesses.
"It's a great economic boon," said RDI's Tom Davenport. "Car rentals, equipment rentals, you name it--it really spreads to the entire community."
"2008 was the biggest year that Wisconsin has ever seen for film and television production," said Film Wisconsin spokesman Scott Robbe.
And he isn't kidding. The following have all contacted Film Wisconsin about shooting here in the state.
Studio Films:
Public Enemies (Michael Mann/Universal), statewide
Informant (Guy Morrison/Universal), statewide
Low Dweller (Ridley Scott & Leonardo DiCaprio/Scott Free Prod.)
Van Wilder 3 (Natan Zahavi), Madison, Fond du Lac
TBA Airport Film (Dreamworks), Milwaukee
Independent Films/Projects:
A Serious Man (Cohen Bros./Working Title Films), Milwaukee
Little Bohemia (Charles McDougal), statewide Madison (Nick Langhoff), Madison
Motel, Gas Station (Mary Sweeney), Madison
Down Honey Creek (Craig T. Wood), Milwaukee
Fort McCoy (Tina Pavlides), Milwaukee, La Crosse
No Names (Nick Langhoff), Wisconsin Rapids Brain Food (Tim Londsdale) Grafton
Ghost Story (Ruvin, Karen Ross)
Nephilim (Jay Schillinger/Pulse Studios) Milwaukee, Green Bay
Road to Emmaus (Steve Boetcher/BT Media), Ozaukee County
65th Art (Neeta Vital), statewide
Dust (Dan Kattman/Lightning Rod), Milwaukee
Project Solitude (Jay Schillinger/Pulse Studios)
Bumped (Bridget Johnson)
Vince Lombardi Film (Chris Olsen/NFL Films)
Misfit Heights (Dan Grzeskowiak)
The Jeremy Orem Project (David Kanter/Anonymous Content)
Blue World (Michael Nehs)
Juno
TV Shows:
The Watch (Charles McDougal/Sony), Milwaukee
Court Room K (Fox)
Extreme Makeover Home Edition (ABC), Rhinelander
TBA Reality Series (Bumnim Murray), UW-Madison
MTV's Made (MTV), Fox Valley
Pioneers of Television (Steve Boetcher/BT Media), statewide
Real Housewives (Bravo)
On the Road with...(VH1)
Jeff Dunham Christmas Special (Comedy Central)
Harvest Special (HGTV)
Jeopardy!
So You Think You Can Dance (ABC)
Hyundai TV Ad (Five Films)
Other:
Trivia Town (documentary, Rebecca Ritche)
Regent Entertainment (multi-picture commitment with Regent
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