'hacker-space' for media production?

[shyguyfilms]

One of my hobbies, outside of film, is electronics. One of the cool things that the electronics/hacking/diy community has available to them are places called "Hacker-Spaces." These are places people can go to meet, hang out with, work with, get inspiration from and learn from others with the same interests. Basically, if you took an electronics/diy geared online forum, similar to the one here at dvxuser for a different audience, and turn it into a real world environment, you'd get a hacker-space. The only 'down side' to hacker spaces, when compared to an online forum, is the monthly fee/dues which are required in order to maintain the space, ie. electricity bills, insurance, rent, etc.

Aside from the overhead costs for renting a building/office space and the initial funding needed to get a place like this started, does anyone think something like this could work for film/media?

My initial thought would be to have a place where people could go where they would have access to work stations that had all the necessary software installed (Adobe creative suite/FCP/etc), a separate studio w/ lighting set up for still photography/green screen work for video, the ability for members to rent lighting equipment from the 'space' for location shoots, a possible server room set up for a render-farm for faster rendering of final projects, etc., etc...

The thought of this came up when my fiance and I were talking about what we would do if we won the lottery. I know its a big 'what if' statement, but if I could afford the initial cost of getting something like this set up, I think it would be a really cool way to network with people and open the world of film making up that much more to people who aren't ready to make big purchases on light kits/green screens/work stations/etc.

What are your thoughts on the whole idea. Remember, this is a hypothetical situation where the initial costs weren't an issue.

 

[M. Gilden]

I've seen tons of similar places (mostly in northern California), for code monkeys, web developers, game designers, etc... Basically just a place for people with independent projects to "geek out" and work alongside peers who they can converse and share and learn from. They provide desk space, an internet connection, and coffee usually. I don't see why someone who does video can't just join one of those. It sure beats doing proxy editing from starbucks.

Having a studio and equipment available is another story, though. That's a really cool idea, but you'd likely have to charge a lot for upkeep (equipment wear, lighting bulb hours, etc), and everyone has their own unique preferences in studio applications (I prefer to avoid Final Cut products, others vow to use them exclusively, etc). It sounds like an awesome idea, but I think it could get very complicated very fast if you want to provide tools for everyone.
The reason these other places can exist is that their upkeep is rather low- they just supply a place to work, you bring all your own equipment. But that works because most of these guys just need a place to put a computer and go.
I dunno, if you open one of these around NYC, I'd probably come try it out.

 

[craigbowman]

They used to be known as film co-operatives and they worked very well. You could get training, equipment, actors, etc. Then the digital age hit and next the internet generation where EVERYTHING was online and FREE. I see products which came out only a few years ago which drastically reduced prices viewed now as mainstream and expensive by far too many. Good luck.

How's that lottery thing working for you?