(Sept. 19, 2008) -- Following-up on a developing story first spotted and reported in June by LBReport.com, plans are proceeding -- and have now reached escrow -- to turn the Boeing (former Douglas) aircraft plant (east side of Lakewood Blvd. north of Conant Street) into a major, state of the art Hollywood-magnitude studio complex.

A website for Long Beach Studios, LLC says that when completed, the complex will be the world's largest independent studio production facility with state of the art capabilities and a nearby hotel with amenities for entertainment industry workers.

Screen save Sept. 19, 2008, www.longbeachstudios.com

"When completed, Long Beach Studios will be the largest independent production facility in the world, with 40 sound stages, ranging in size from 12,000 square feet to 200,000 square feet, and over 300,000 square feet of full-service rental office space," says www.longbeachstudios.com.

The effort involves Hollywood entertainment industry figures including Jack O'Halloran (whose acting credits include "Non" in Superman feature films) who told LBReport.com that the transaction has entered escrow.

Mr. O'Halloran specifically credited LB Mayor Bob Foster, City Manager Pat West, Assistant City Manager Suzanne Frick, Economic Development Bureau Mgr. Robert Swayze, along with LB Councilmembers and CSULB for their positive response and assistance as plans have developed.

"This is an incredible project and it will be great for Long Beach," Mr. O'Halloran said...and indicated it's a roughly $500 million venture.

The LongBeachStudios.com website says the facility, "conveniently located just 15 minutes from LAX," will include a "five star hotel spa on lot so that productions can stay and [shoot] in style and comfort." It says the complex will include (among multiple listed items) "40 NC-25 Acoustic rated soundstages," a "large underwater tank stage," "catering and crew meals through our on-lot restaurants," "recording studio facilities," "post production editing suites" and a "high speed data center."

The website also describes an "on-site luxury hotel services and unique amenities for talent and crew...private luxury residential bungalows and suites for those shooting at the Studio...high speed internet with wireless capabilities...pet services...athletic club...lighted tennis court...poolside cabanas overlooking the golf course...24 hour Limo service to Long Beach, Los Angeles and Orange County Airports."

LATimes.com and PressTelegram.com (the latter assigning three reporters to the story) both carry reports today (Sept. 19) on the escrow.

LBReport.com first learned of the developing story in June...and spotted a release for a scheduled Las Vegas conference on digital developments listing Jay Samit (who's held positions at other Hollywood studios) as CEO of "Long Beach Studios." Mr. Samit confirmed to us at that time in very general terms that plans were in the works but declined details.

We also asked Long Beach Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske (in whose district the former aircraft plant is located) at that time about "Long Beach Studios" and she indicated that she'd met with Mr. O'Halloran (in roughly May-June) and he'd discussed plans with her in general terms.

LBReport.com also spoke at the time with the chairman of Cal State University Long Beach's Film Dept., Prof. Craig Smith, who confirmed that he was aware of the plans and very supportive of the development. Prof. Smith said he believes it would be a boon for the community -- "exactly the kind we want" -- and is a logical and a smart move, building on filming activity already taking place in and around Long Beach.

In addition to the studio space, Long Beach offers a number of different filming backdrops within a compact area (an urbanized downtown with older buildings and new highrises, a beachfront and parkland open space all within a few miles). CSI Miami is among the prime time shows and movies frequently seen shooting around town.

Downey's former NASA/Boeing site plant has been turned into "Downey Studios," calling itself "the largest independent film facility in Los Angeles" with "all the amenities of a full service major studio with none of the hassles. All of this lies in the 30 mile zone and is an easy drive from anywhere."

The "thirty mile zone" refers to the area within a thirty-mile radius of Beverly Blvd/La Cienega Blvd in L.A., the "studio zone" used by entertainment industry unions to determine rates and work rules. From Lakewood/Conant to Beverly/La Cienega is within the thirty mile zone as the crow flies.

LB once had a movie studio presence...but that was more than a few years ago when Buster Keaton and his contemporaries used the 1920's era Balboa Studios (7th St. near Alamitos Ave.)...which is now LB's Museum of Latin American Art.

Developing.