Dance Network founders and entrepreneurs Julie C. Stadler and David J. Medeiros, and CEO, Brian A. Williams, announced the official opening of Skyway Studios, LLC, based in Nashville, Tennessee. Hollywood executive Mark Dvornik was tapped to serve as President of Skyway Studios, the premiere independent production and distribution facility in the southeast. It is located on the site of the former NorthStar Studios. Historically, Skyway Studios was the original home of Skyway Drive-in Theatres, which opened on April 18, 1950, entertaining the region with outdoor showings of classic movies starring John Wayne, Elvis Presley and Doris Day.
Skyway Studios will be the worldwide headquarters of the Dance Network (www.dancenetwork.tv) set to launch in October 2015.
"We are creating a home and community in Tennessee for the production and distribution of quality content that keeps the heritage of music and dance thriving. Skyway Studios provides an ideal destination," said founder Julie Stadler.
Skyway Studios is the quintessential production and distribution destination for leading entertainment companies and talent looking to establish themselves in a world-class broadcast and video production studio operation. Located 15 minutes away from the heart of downtown Nashville, Tennessee, the more than 16-acre, 125,000-square-foot privately-owned media complex houses seven large full-capacity sound stages, a flexible insert studio for live shots, two HD broadcast control rooms, a fiber optic and satellite distribution executive/management office space, and hi-tech post-production and edit suites.
“The newly named Skyway Studios is an homage to the original Skyway Drive-in theatre that premiered on this Nashville site sixty-five years ago,” added founder David Medeiros, “As a tribute to that grand heritage, we are proud to open the gates of Skyway Studios to the production community, offering at its very core a community for creatives to develop, produce and distribute their content on all platforms.”
The Skyway Studios campus also includes a 17,000-square-foot warehouse, parking for 800 vehicles, six loading docks, multiple providers for worldwide fiber connections, world class automated data storage and complete network origination and transmission capabilities for distribution by satellite and fiber.
“Skyway Studios is a turnkey destination for productions seeking a full service facility that is inclusive of top-of-the-line, expansive sound stages on a guarded studio lot, highly skilled crew members, HD, international satellite and teleport broadcasting, internet streaming, on-site caterers, an in-house studio store. We have a masterplan that includes the addition of a film-compliant sound stage and rehearsal space, and a New York backlot,” said Mark Dvornik, President, Skyway Studios.
“We can’t wait to bring our producers and talent to start shooting original programming for Dance Network at Skyway Studios,” said David Campbell, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Dance Network.
Brian A. Williams, Skyway Studios partner and CEO, Dance Network, “Its world-class one-stop-shop capabilities particularly come into play when developing and producing all forms of content. There’s plenty of executive office/staff space and talent will feel right at home in the spacious, elegantly designed dressing rooms that are complete with security entries, individual private restrooms, comfortable workspaces, Wi-Fi and other amenities.”
"The launch of Dance Network and Skyway Studios brings new opportunities across a broad spectrum of emerging media," said Bob Raines, Executive Director, Tennessee Film, Entertainment & Music Commission (TFEMC)."The multimedia facilities Skyway Studios has in development will enhance Tennessee's growing creative economy and utilize the talent and workforce our State has to offer this industry."
The current studios have provided production support for modern-day artists and entertainers including Faith Hill, Dolly Parton, The Gaithers, Carrie Underwood, Amy Grant and Vince Gill and the CMA Awards. The studio has also hosted media tours, commercials, infomercials, television shows, streamed events and educational series. Recent clients of the studios have included ABC/Disney, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, BBC, E! Entertainment and Discovery Channel.
About SKYWAY STUDIOS, LLC.
Skyway Studios, LLC, is a privately-owned media production and distribution complex located in Nashville, Tennessee. Skyway Studios is the premiere independent production and distribution facility in the southeast and is the worldwide headquarters of the Dance Network (www.dancenetwork.tv) set to launch in Fall 2015. www.SkywayStudios.net
