Long Beach Studios
Encyclopedia
Long Beach Studios is an American film studio under development at the former Boeing
factory in Long Beach, California
to build airplanes for the American war effort in World War II
. The factory built 10,000 airplanes during the war then switched to civilian production. In 1967 Douglas merged with McDonnell Aircraft
to form McDonnell Douglas
, which in turn merged with Boeing
in 1997. The factory built the mid-sized MD-95 (later renamed the Boeing 717
) passenger jet airplane from 1995 until it was shut down in 2006.
Several attempts to convert the factory to other uses fell through. Long Beach Studios first entered escrow
to purchase the facility in 2008, but the plan was canceled after the company could not secure financing. There were plans in 2009 for Tesla Motors
to convert the factory for production of electric car
s. In October 2009 a new deal was announced for Long Beach Studios to build a film studio there with 40 sound stage
s and an underwater filming tank. As of that date plans also included a luxury hotel and up to 300000 square feet (27,870.9 m²) of rental office space. The company planned it as part of a network of five studios in different locations in the United States.
, a former boxer
and character actor
.
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
factory in Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
History
The 78 acres (315,655.1 m²) facility is a factory originally completed in 1941 by Douglas Aircraft CompanyDouglas Aircraft Company
The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas...
to build airplanes for the American war effort in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The factory built 10,000 airplanes during the war then switched to civilian production. In 1967 Douglas merged with McDonnell Aircraft
McDonnell Aircraft
The McDonnell Aircraft Corporation was an American aerospace manufacturer based in St. Louis, Missouri. The company was founded on July 16, 1939 by James Smith McDonnell, and was best known for its military fighters, including the F-4 Phantom II, and manned spacecraft including the Mercury capsule...
to form McDonnell Douglas
McDonnell Douglas
McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport...
, which in turn merged with Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
in 1997. The factory built the mid-sized MD-95 (later renamed the Boeing 717
Boeing 717
The Boeing 717 is a twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner, developed for the 100-seat market. The airliner was designed and marketed by McDonnell Douglas as the MD-95, a third-generation derivative of the DC-9. Capable of seating of up to 117 passengers, the 717 has maximum range of...
) passenger jet airplane from 1995 until it was shut down in 2006.
Several attempts to convert the factory to other uses fell through. Long Beach Studios first entered escrow
Escrow
An escrow is:* an arrangement made under contractual provisions between transacting parties, whereby an independent trusted third party receives and disburses money and/or documents for the transacting parties, with the timing of such disbursement by the third party dependent on the fulfillment of...
to purchase the facility in 2008, but the plan was canceled after the company could not secure financing. There were plans in 2009 for Tesla Motors
Tesla Motors
Tesla Motors, Inc. is a Silicon Valley-based company that designs, manufactures and sells electric cars and electric vehicle powertrain components. It was the only automaker building and selling a zero-emission sports car, the Tesla Roadster, in serial production...
to convert the factory for production of electric car
Electric car
An electric car is an automobile which is propelled by electric motor, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric cars were popular in the late-19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion engine technology and mass...
s. In October 2009 a new deal was announced for Long Beach Studios to build a film studio there with 40 sound stage
Sound stage
In common usage, a sound stage is a soundproof, hangar-like structure, building, or room, used for the production of theatrical filmmaking and television production, usually located on a secure movie studio property.-Overview:...
s and an underwater filming tank. As of that date plans also included a luxury hotel and up to 300000 square feet (27,870.9 m²) of rental office space. The company planned it as part of a network of five studios in different locations in the United States.
Management
Long Beach Studios is managed by Jay Samit, a former Sony and Universal executive and Jack O'HalloranJack O'Halloran
Jack O'Halloran is an American ex-boxer and actor.-Boxing:O'Halloran was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fighting as "Irish" Jack O'Halloran out of Boston, Massachusetts, he was a heavyweight boxing contender active from 1966 to 1974...
, a former boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
and character actor
Character actor
A character actor is one who predominantly plays unusual or eccentric characters. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a character actor as "an actor who specializes in character parts", defining character part in turn as "an acting role displaying pronounced or unusual characteristics or...
.