Film studio to spotlight downtown

The Downtown Project added another layer of art to downtown Las Vegas.

Fremont East Studios, with funding from Tony Hsieh’s $350 million downtown revitalization investment, opened April 9 and aims to be a one-stop shop for media production in an area the studio’s director of production, Freeman White III, said could use it.

“With all of the unique sights, sounds and people here downtown, to be able to capture that and broadcast it to the world is something special,” he said.

The 9,000-square-foot facility, 221 Las Vegas Blvd. North, was previously home to the city government’s access channel KCLV-TV.

The space, renovated over six months, now includes two sound stages, two control rooms and production offices.

Those invested in the studio hope it will further the Downtown Project’s mission to transform downtown into a community-focused city.

Studio founder Mimi Pham, a partner of Hsieh’s, said the studio serves a niche.

“(The Downtown Project) has focused on small business, startups, tech,” Pham said. “I think this will bring more of a focus on the creative culture.”

Pham, a Los Angeles native, said her facility plans to offer educational resources for the community and internship possibilities.

“Everyone should feel they can come to the studio,” she said. “The studio is all about building community and giving people that are passionate about film and film production the right tools to pursue and make it affordable to produce content.”

White said the studio employs 50 people.

What is important to White is swinging a spotlight back onto downtown.

“The Strip has been shot and shot again,” he said. “We want to bring that consciousness of this area — that was often neglected — back again. Bring awareness back to old Vegas.”