Michigan’s first Black-owned television and movie studio is on its way to the state’s capital city, Lansing.
Standup comedian, director, and entrepreneur, Amaru, is turning the old Lansing Mall Cinema at 921 Mall Drive W. into “Greenwood District Studios,” Mlive reported.
Amaru, who only goes by one name, said a number of events inspired him to open the studios, including the death of George Floyd and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“How can I bring back my job and others some jobs?” Amaru, 47, said. “Hope was the number one thing that came up and doing away with the despair that’s happening around, especially with our youth.”
The professional entertainer hit the jackpot when he secured the 27,000-square-foot lot. He felt it could provide all he needed for the film and audio production process.
“We lucked up and got one building to do everything we want to do,” Amaru said.
Amaru and the studio’s small staff, along with a handful of volunteers, are working to revitalize the building, which sat vacant since the cinema’s closing in 2014. Screens inside the place were cut and there was shattered glass and broken bottles on the second story.
The team is working to remove debris, install new screens, stages, and technical support. Michael Nathan, a producer and director, is among those helping to bring Greenwood District Studios to life.
