Media Arts Center
Campbell Dalglish weighing in here. The idea I have been putting forth among my connections and even to Schwartz for the Plaza is nine years old. I now hear of how many other ideas others have been putting their hearts and souls into. I think it would be a good idea to get together to pool our interests and perhaps create a petition to submit to the Town Council that represents our interests, our visions, and our community spirit as united as possible. United we stand a chance of making a difference, right?
I think a most important question for all of us to consider is "What will bring the greatest draw to our Village that will attract the kinds of businesses and patrons that we want looking into our backyards?" Not the SOS and not something you can get at any of the dozens of malls. What would stand at that's unique, different and VERY desirable! Is everyone aware of the 45 live-in art studios units being built on Terry Street in Patchogue for $16M, tax free for 32 years??? How can we be a "Gateway" to that as well as to the Patchogue Theatre?
When the town seizes the Plaza, if they demolish it, that will be at the cost of the new buyer/developer. I am proposing we save the structure, the shell, and gut the building. The structure is solid. If we follow codes of transferral of property, the seller (Schwartz) would have to pay for removing all that toxic waste inside. AND HE SHOULD NOT GET OFF EASY BY LETTING US DEMOLISH A STRUCTURE THAT ONCE HAD MEANING TO US AND AT OUR COST!!!
For the last four years as a Film Commissioner for Suffolk County working with Michelle Stark and Jim Margo, we have been literally searching for a location for a Media Art Center. I always had my eye on the Plaza.
We need a model, an example. I will be joining a group of town officials and film commissioners to visit the Jacob Burns Film Center and Media Lab in Pleasantville New York on November 5th. Check it out yourself at www.burnsfilmcenter.org
WHAT WOULD GO INSIDE A PLAZA THEATRE MEDIA ART CENTER (MAC)? THIS WOULD NOT COMPETE WITH THE PATCHOGUE THEATER, BUT COMPLIMENT IT.
1) A MEDIA LEARNING CENTER with multiple facilities where all ages could come to learn how to make films, using music and film production facilities, cameras for rent, editing suites, a music recording studio,computer centers to learn to learn everything in computer technology from creating web design, how to use twitter, flikr, create Facebook, Linked in, Myspace, presentations, family albums, family videos, you name it. There is nothing like this on Long Island. Like other MACs I have researched, members are willing to drive an hour radius to use the facility. Check out www.burnsfilmcenter.org. Look at the education programs they offer to ALL AGES.
2) A SCREENING ROOM for screening films directly out of the Huntington Cinema Art Center. They have an 8000 subscribed member audience that shows up regularly for films you can't find in the big multi-plex cinemas. I have worked there back in 2004 and back then they were looking for a facility on the South Shore to screen their films. Check it out yourself. www.cinemaartscentre.org/ We would also screen films and videos on special evenings created by our own members in the Learning Center.
3) AN INTERNET CAFE where people of all ages could come for a warm beverage and some time on the internet , have meetings, discussions, hang out. A great place for our youths, businesses and community members to meet and greet and work.
4) A STAGE for live musicians to test out their music talents on local audiences in an open mic kind of venue. Think ALIVE AFTER FIVE atmosphere. Check out www.arlenesgrocery.net/main.html
5) OFFICE SPACES FOR FILM AND MEDIA COMPANIES
WHAT KINDS OF BUSINESSES WOULD A MAC DRAW TO ITS IMMEDIATE LOCATION?
1) COMPUTER STORES (APPLE or COMP-USA, or others)
2) BOOK STORES (BORDERS or BARNES AND NOBLE or others)
3) FILM AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT , CAMERA STORES , PRODUCTION SUPPLY AND RENTAL STORES (B & H)
4) RESTAURANTS, BARS, SPECIALTY FOOD STORES
WHAT KINDS OF PEOPLE WOULD A MAC DRAW TO THE AREA LOOKING INTO OUR BACK YARDS?
1) FAMILIES FROM OVER AN HOUR AWAY.
2) ALL AGES INTERESTED IN THE LATEST MEDIA TECHNOLOGY, FROM VIDEO PROGRAMMING, HOME MOVIES, WEB DESIGN, TO PROFESSIONAL COMMERCIALS AND INDUSTRIAL FILMS.
3) TRAINING CENTER FOR THOSE SEEKING CAREERS IN MEDIA PRODUCTION, COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, FILM, TELEVISION, RADIO BROADCASTING.
4) SPECIAL FILM AUDIENCES LIKE THE 8000 MEMBERS WHO GO TO THE HUNTINGTON CINEMA ART CENTER.
5) FILMMAKERS LOOKING FOR RENTAL EQUIPMENT AND/OR CREW TO MAKE A FILM OR VIDEO ON LONG ISLAND.
6) MUSICIANS SEEKING PRODUCTION OF THEIR FIRST CD.
SO LET'S GET TOGETHER AND DRAW UP A DESIGN AND GET A PETITION TO SUPPORT ALL OUR IDEAS, ONCE WE DECIDE WHAT IT IS WE WANT. THAT'S WHAT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN MUST ACT ON.
Contact me about the MAC.
BLESS ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK, YOUR INSPIRING VOICES AT THE TOWN HALL PUBLIC HEARING, AND FOR YOUR PERSISTENCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, A WONDERFUL DIFFERENCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY!!!
THANK YOU ALL
Campbell Dalglish
dalglish@optonline.net