(L to R) Mr. DiLorenzo, Mr. Bethoney and Ms. Ayson

The Commonwealth's Hollywood

Posted on March 10, 2009 - Permalink
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On February 26, representatives from Plymouth Rock Studios came to campus to talk about the multitude of employment opportunities and other benefits that should materialize when their movie studio complex comes to Plymouth; the anticipated opening is September 2010.

PRS will be the east coast's first independent film and television studio facility to offer pre- and post-production services for film makers. The studio's 240-acre campus will feature 14 sound stages, a large theater, hotels, restaurants and many other businesses.

Along with those businesses comes the need for workers. The studio is projected to create roughly 2,000 jobs for the campus community and beyond, said Joseph DiLorenzo, CFO and government relations for the studio.

He, along with Kate Ayson, director of Rock Education Cooperative, and Josh Bethoney, '03, president of Rock Media, were the representatives.

Plymouth was chosen as the studio's location for a number of reasons, including the city's close proximity to Logan airport and the commuter rail and its "access to the best and brightest students, whether at BSC or other state colleges," said Mr. DiLorenzo.

The studio campus is projected to cost around $4.8 million and will be the world's first LEED certified film studio. It should also serve as a catalyst for the growth of New England's entertainment industry.

Mr. DiLorenzo said the existence of the studio complex is expected to bring the commonwealth on par with Hollywood's home state.

"We want to make Massachusetts the alternative to California for film production," he said.

Andrew Vadas, a sophomore and communications studies major, said he believes it will be a good addition to Massachusetts.

"Even if it provides half of what is promised, it will be worth it," he said.

The event was sponsored by The Division of External Affairs. (Story and photo by Rob Matheson, Institutional Communications)