Considering Deano's Studios is the only purpose-built production studio in West Michigan, a lot went into the construction of the site located at 2450 Airway NE in Grand Rapids.
The brainchild of husband-and-wife team Dean Horn and Rene Anderson, who have co-owned the facility since its conception in 1998, Deano’s Studios were originally built to accommodate production around the car industry, but has since helped to create commercial, corporate television, and feature-length films in its space.
After nearly 20 years at the helm, Horn and Anderson announced the sale of Deano’s Studios last week to owners David and Matthew Lowing of the Wyoming film production rental company
Lowing Light & Grip, which plans to reopen the studio under the name Lowing Studios.
“We’re excited to have breakfast be breakfast again—not a business meeting,” Anderson says. “The timing is right for us to step away and refocus—this is a big place to keep going—and we’ve been doing it for 20 years.”
Lowing Light & Grip President David Lowing says the investment in Lowing Light & Grip presents a unique growth opportunity to expand their product offering to clients, diversify business, and invest in new opportunities while reemphasizing his company’s commitment to West Michigan film and commercial production community.
“We have been seeking ways to diversify our business and invest in new opportunities, and expanding into sound stages is the right fit for our business to capitalize on,” Lowing says. “We’re looking forward to carrying on the quality of management and service Dean and René have always provided.”
While
Lowing Light & Grip will continue to offer equipment sales and service, expendable sales, equipment rentals, and administrative offices at their Wyoming location at 1500 Whiting St. SW, Horn says he’ll also continue to work on creative projects in the future through Lowing Light & Grip and Lowing Studios.
“It was also important to us that we find new owners that would be the right fit,” he says.
Meanwhile, son Matthew Lowing says the new Lowing Studios will look for ways to expand and further improve on the solid foundations Horn and Anderson lay down in the production community so many years ago.
“Our priority will first be to continue our commitment to making this a world-class environment,” said Matthew Lowing. “We will also look for ways to expand on what Dean and René have built; this expansion means we will also be hiring additional staff who will help ensure the quality service we provide the production community.”
Written by Anya Zentmeyer, Development News Editor
Images courtesy of Lowing Light & Grip
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.