‘This is a really special project:’ News 4 gets a behind-the-scenes look at Buffalo’s newest film studio

BUFFALO N.Y. (WIVB) – Lights, camera, action! A new film studio is opening next week on Buffalo’s West Side. News 4 got a behind-the-scenes look at the facility that plans to bring big names from Hollywood to the Queen City.

Great Point Studios on West Ferry and Niagara Street is ready for its close up. The state of the art film and television complex opens on May 16th.

“Buffalo has already gotten a proven track record. We’ve done a number of great films and I think what we’ve always lacked is this complete production facility,” said Lawrence Quinn, the project developer of Great Point Studios.

“The incentive in New York and especially in Upstate New York, places like Buffalo, has become the talking point in Hollywood,” said Buffalo Niagara film commissioner Tim Clark.

In recent years, Buffalo has caught the attention of big names in Hollywood including actor John Krasinski, who filmed a Quiet Place II in Western New York. Clark said soundstages like the one at Great Point Studios came in handy when filming the movie.

“When a Quiet Place II was here, there were a couple days where the thunder and the lightning were a safety issue and a noise issue,” Clark said. “They were able to go inside a sound stage and use that as a cover set, they were able to not waste the whole day and everybody’s time and money.”

Great Point Studios has three soundstages and one of the soundstages is 20,000 square feet.

“These sound stages are the prime thing that they’re looking for,” Clark said. “It’s something we never had 10 years ago and now we’ve got several of them popping up in Buffalo.”

The facility also has production offices, art rooms, green rooms and a number of make-up and dressing rooms. Those involved in the project hope it attracts filmmakers near and far.

“It’s very exciting. When we build these things, when we get to this stage we’re thinking about what’s the next thing to do but this is a really special project,” Quinn said.

Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work.