Clockwise from Top Left: Frans Weterrings and Dave Cambria launch Red Sky Studios in Allston, Massachusetts. Photo by Carolyn Ross. / Comfortable newly redecorated working space at Red Sky Studios. Photo courtesy of Red Sky Studio. / Space to hang out at Red Sky Studios in Allston, MA. Photo courtesy of Red Sky Studio.
By Carol Patton
When a recent occupant of 184 Everett Street left its Harvard University owned set of buildings in Allston, MA, an unusual and rather extraordinary opportunity opened up for someone who would make the decision and who could ultimately be accepted by the landlord. Several individuals and companies considered the prospect, some local and some from far away. But, Harvard believed her best interest would be served by finding just the right local entity that had both local and national ties to the film industry and struck a deal with two young men who have worked in the industry in New England since 1997.
New life was once again breathed into the well known studio complex and Red Sky Studios was born. New paint, new furniture, new ideas all began to take shape and business in this venerable place began to thrive again. Like their preceding owners at this location, both new owners believe the location is a premium asset.
The pair who six months ago were busy operating Red Herring Motion Picture Lighting and working regularly on motion pictures like BASIC MATH, THE EQUALIZER and AMERICAN HUSTLE as gaffer and rigging specialist had no idea they would become owner operators of a studio complex today. To Frans Weterrings and Dave Cambria this opportunity came as a total and complete life changing surprise.
Frans and Dave incorporated Red Herring in a small loft in the South End of Boston, with an ARRI Kit and some Kino Flos’ in 1997. Now Red Herring has a 12,000 square foot warehouse in North Attleboro, with several 48’ tractor-trailers, generators and enough equipment to service several feature films. They’ve provided equipment to most of the large projects that have shot in Boston and serve local and national clients like Element Productions, Redtree, Sony Pictures, Columbia Studios, Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, Paramount Studios, NBC Television, ABC Television, Disney Pictures and Fox Searchlight Productions.
Both Dave Cambria and Frans Weterrings have considerable experience in the industry. With their combined New York City and Los Angeles working history and relationships, many Boston bound productions contact them before their arrival for guidance, equipment and crew. Both consider Red Sky an excellent opportunity to create a hometown atmosphere run by local folks who really know the business and want to help you with yours.
Tiffany Kinder, a Los Angeles experienced transplant (she married Frans Wetterings) will serve as General Manager and plans to fashion the operation and interior after the west coast trappings studios and major producers have become accustomed to. When you walk in you can see and feel the Red Sky presence. The changes they have already made are visible and impressive.
She believes the studio’s commissary is an important center for social and commercial activities. A functional kitchen for food styling and preparation is a must, which is why this kitchen has a working oven. One day Red Sky will have a model full functioning kitchen designed to attract TV food shows and demonstrations.
Everything Tiffany does is geared toward what every account executive, photographer and director wants including competitive pricing.
Red Sky is fully functional and already has hosted productions, commercials and photo shoots in their short tenure and they have an appreciative eye for the exploding webseries bonanza and its studio requirements for the future. An entertainment component is next on their agenda – parties, special events and fashion shows, for example.
Red Sky’s two studios are complemented on the premise by production offices, high tech communications, equipment rental, conference rooms, production services, commissary and customized rooms for makeup, hair and wardrobe. Park your trailers in their enormous parking lots and a production could live there for months. So the Red Sky stage is set with two New Englanders through and through at the helm.
Both have and intend to maintain their Massachusetts roots. Frans began his working career right here at 184 Everett Street. It was his first job and he was working for the biggest equipment rental house in New England that also operated the adjacent studios. Frans says he is, “truly grateful and excited for this opportunity to expand Red Herring Motion Picture Lighting, Inc. I consider myself a family man in both my personal and business life. I reside in Medfield, Massachusetts. I have a terrific local crew, a wife (who owns two Boston based companies), a four and a half year old son, three dogs and two horses.”
David entered the film production community in1992. After an internship at CF Video in Watertown managed by his Boston College Professor Paul Reynolds, he was hired to run the production camera and equipment rental department and started the day after graduation. Never looking back, David decided to go out on his own and started freelancing as a lighting technician in 1995. He enjoys cycling and running, and has completed five Pan Mass Challenges, raising over $100,000 for the Jimmy Fund on two Pan Mass cycling teams. David resides in Barrington, Rhode Island with his wife, Rachelle, and children Andrew (six), and Ellie (four).
Both owners are accomplished, hard charging and energetic with a great deal of optimism, enough to share. Both enjoy the continuing challenges and experiences as a full fledged self-started business owner now in their second enterprise, which they believe is full of promise in our burgeoning content producing marketplace.
Carol Patton is the founder and publisher of IMAGINE Magazine and an advocate for the film tax credits and industry growth.
