An ExxonMobile factory in Stratford, Connecticut is set to become a small-scale film studio that could hire up to 1,000 employees in the near future. While many of the studio’s generated jobs would be temporary, former television producer and writer Allen Christopher has said that 250 of those jobs would be permanent positions. Christopher is working with other investors to achieve this promising goal. The factory-turned-studio will feature a dozen soundstages and a significant amount of office space, greatly increasing the area’s film production capabilities. Currently, the facility is to be called Dogstar.
As of 2006, Connecticut has offered 30 percent tax credits for the regional film industry. This has inspired numerous developers to open production facilities around the state, taking advantage of the opportunity. In addition to Stratford, studios have already opened up in Stamford and Norwalk, and there are others in development. Though Dogstar has not sought out any tax credits yet, it plans to eventually.
Christopher had already attempted to acquire an abandoned Army engine plant in Stratford almost two years ago, with the intention of converting it into a large studio. Although those specific arrangements have been put on hold and he is no longer associated with that project, the state will most certainly benefit from the creation of Dogstar in early 2010. This is an important step forward for the New England film industry, and who knows what great movies could be filmed here in the future?
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