A Michigan entrepreneur is set to open the first Black-owned television and movie studio in the state,MLIVE.com reports.
Amaru is a standup comedian and director who credits his inspiration for entrepreneurship to the COVID-19 pandemic and the murder of George Floyd.
He recalled the moment he got the idea, saying he was thinking, “How can I bring back my job and [bring] others some jobs? Hope was the number one thing that came up and doing away with the despair that’s happening around, especially with our youth.”
That’s when he came up with the idea for the Greenwood District Studios, a new complex housed in the old Lansing Mall Cinema, which closed in 2014. Amaru says the 27,000 sq. ft. lot is perfect for the film and audio production process, giving space to cover everything from pre to post-production.
“We lucked up and got one building to do everything we want to do,” he said.
Now, construction is underway, Amaru and his small team revitalizing the abandoned building, cleaning up debris, and replacing the old tattered and cut cinema screens. Michael Nathan, a producer, and director whose part of the team, said that while the work is challenging, it’s worth it.
“Good things take time, and if you’re willing to sacrifice and work for it, it’ll happen no matter what,” said Nathan.
