Mass Studios

There's been a few movies filmed right in Worcester in the past couple of years. The Maiden Heist at the Worcester Art Museum, Bruce Willis's film The Surrogates at the old Worcester Courthouse (good buddy of mine Andy Fish ran into Brucio while he was mailing a letter) and most recently a film starring Christian Bale and Robert DeNiro was filmed at Nick's as well as around the Woo. There was even talk Martin Scorese wanted to film a movie inside the now demolished Worcester State Hospital. But the city wouldn't allow it because of liability or something along those lines.

Recently both the Worcester Telegram and Worcester Magazine ran articles talking about a group called The Pullman Project LLC preparing to open a film studio in North Worcester which will be called Mass Studios in what was originally the home of the Pullman Train Car Company. Once the manufacturer of train cars and trolley buses.

That's right folks. A long time ago trolley cars used to run through Worcester. This is some of the reason why Kelley Square is designed the way it is.

However, since the trolley hasn't run through Worcester for many moons, the need for a company that manufactered them became redundant. And the building abandoned. The Pullman Project is looking to utilize the 125,000 square feet of that building into a working film and television studio.

The project is being spearheaded by founder founder Barbara Guertin, developer Anton Nel and producer Kristen Lucas. I got to know Barbara through Nicole Watson at Nick's. I was still in the process of looking for actors for my Sherlock Holmes production and Nicole connected me with Barbara whom in turn connected me with a young actor by the name of Connor Lee who did an excellent job in the role of Col. Sebastian Moran.

Barbara was a huge help in fitting that final piece of the puzzle for me and was able to offer really wonderful advice in getting what really was my very first production together.

Once completed, what would something like this offer the city of Worcester. Well, as mentioned in their mission statement, Mass Studios will be a premiere full-service independent studio campus dedicated to providing content creators of all kinds with the most technologically advanced user‐friendly, one-stop production studio and office facility in Massachusetts.

And what they will feature four state-of-the-art sound stages for film and television production, each with its own support space, pre and post-production offices, and writer’s office space, four audio editing bays, four video editing bays a back lot along with on-site parking.

The Mass Studios Campus is strategically located on approximately a 14-acre Site in the city of Worcester, MA. Sound stages, office buildings and back lot, are the primary permanent facilities used in the production of high value content for film, television and gaming entertainment.

The Mass Studio Campus provides a system that offers a wide variety of infrastructure, amenities, and services including high clearance, column free sound stage space, with adjacent support area for dressing rooms, offices, wardrobe storage, make-up rooms, and pre and post-production office space.

Personally, I think this sounds great. And when this comes to pass I would love to be a part of it.

You can read both the Telegram and the Worcester Magazine articles online to find out more or to find out how to contact Mass Studios

War of the Woo (11x17 color print)

 

A print I came up with for the upcoming stART on the Street: Spring Canal District Edition which I have to confess was inspired by my buddy Andy Fish's HARVEY BALL'S REVENGE illustration he did (and won a prize for) at the Harvey Ball celebration which took place at the Worcester Historical Museum a few years back.

 

H.G. Wells's WAR OF THE WORLDS with a decidedly Worcester Massachusetts twist. Featuring a few current and historical hotspots in the fair metropolis known affectionately by some as Wormtown, Wortown, Woo-Town or the Big Woo.

 

Both places that are still standing and a few that are sadly long gone.

 

The print measures 11x17 and is printed on a high quality glossy stock. A limited signed and numbered set.

 

And you will only be able to get it at stART!!

 

It's also to promote a possible upcoming event that may or may not be happening sometime soon. Exactly what said event is I cannot say. You'll just have to wait and see.

 

I'm trying to work on a couple more before the day of the show as well as perhaps bringing back a couple old favorites. So stay tuned gentle readers!!

 

New Print!! Scooby Doo? Where Are You?

Well the powers that be decided to postpone stART on the Street: Spring Edition till next Sunday due to the unpredictable weather. Which it looks like it may have been a good idea looking at some of the ominous clouds and it started to rain.

But it's given Syd and I the opportunity to work on a few extra goodies as well as finally buy a tent for the show next Sunday. Which we will use for future shows. Including Sowa's Market in Boston which the two of us have seriously considered taking part in.

But if you come to Green Street next Sunday from 11AM till 5PM, the print above is just one of the new goodies you will be seeing at the show. Hope to see you all there!!

stART on the Street: Spring Edition

This will be the third year stART on the Street will be hosting their Spring Show. The last couple of years they have held it on Main Street as opposed to Park Avenue where the Fall show is held.

After a rather lackluster turn out on Main Street last year, I was talking to Tina Zlody at an art show for Derek Ring and she mentioned at the time stART was in talks about pulling up roots on Main Street and opting for  a different location.

I had given her my two cents about my experience last year. Although, it was entirely disappointing, it wasn't nearly as successful as either the Fall or December show. At the time things were still pretty hush hush because a decision had not been reached.

But a location was ultimately found and this year stART on the Street: Spring Edition will be held on Green Street in the Canal District!! And it sounds as though this year will be an absolutely doozy of an event!!

Along with what has made stART successful in the past with over 150+ artists and crafters, live music, activities for children and a food court. There will also be a classic car show this year!!

Don't think Summer Nationals with screeching tires and kids revving up their ridiculously souped up cars until they blow something in the engine and have to be towed away.

But I'm sure you'll see some amazing cars from bygone era's.

You never know. You might even see the Sr. Herholz's 1937 Chevy on display.

Not only will I be selling copies of my books, prints and original artwork at the show. But this will be the first sTART on the Street event to feature my wife Syd's fun household items made from recycled vinyl.

She is offering bowls, wine holders, file holders, jewelery and earring holders. ALL made from used LP's!!

It's all taking place Sunday June 3rd from 11AM till 5PM on Green Street. For more info log onto stART on the Street's website:

stART on the Street: Spring Edition

Hope to see you all there.

New England Bloody Roots Music Festival at Ralph's

Helen Sheldon Beaumont, chair of the Worcester Arts Council as well as the lead singer of Guns of Navarone and Petticoat Junction has invited me to take part in New England Bloody Roots Music Festival which will be taking place this coming Saturday at Ralph's Diner 148 Grove Street in Worcester MA.

Helen has been a huge supporter of my work over the past several years through various shows and events around the metrop so I am more than happy to take part when she sent out the call for artists.

So here's the deal. I will be selling my books, art and prints from 12Noon till 6PM. During that time some of your favorite local musicians and bands will be taking the stage starting at noontime and playing long into the wee hours of the morning.

I will also be taking the opportunity to promote and sell my latest collaboration with local poet Susurrus Din.

So come on down and meet us at Ralph's and get your copy signed!!