City anticipates new film studio
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers MOVIE MOGUL—Bernard Weitzman, a veteran in the entertainment industry, shares photos of his experiences working with actress Lucille Ball at Desilu with school Superintendent Ellen Smith following a presentation at the Morning Rotary Club of Moorpark on Tuesday. Weitzman and his business partner John Marshall plan to build a movie studio just outside of Moorpark.

Commonwealth Studios leaders Bernard Weitzman and John Marshall received a warm welcome at a Moorpark Morning Rotary Club meeting early Tuesday morning.

The pair of entertainment industry veterans plans to build the largest independent movie studio in the U.S. on the western edge of Moorpark.

Weitzman, a longtime Rotarian, appeared right at home with the Moorpark crowd, mostly composed of local business owners and community leaders. He told witty stories about the early years of television before Marshall shared details about the filming complex.

"The studio will be a wonderful asset to Moorpark. It will create jobs, bring money, sales tax and prestige to the community," said Weitzman, CEO of Commonwealth. The former executive vice president at Desilu and Lorimar Pictures and vice president and general manager at Universal Studios also held senior positions at MGM.

Marshall, an independent producer with 32 years experience in the industry, is president and chief operating officer of Commonwealth.

The studio would help satisfy a great need in Southern California, where more than 1,900 production companies are located, but fewer than 300 sound stages.

The local studio would also help reverse the trend of industry jobs leaving the state, said Marshall, who added he wants to move on the project as quickly as possible.

"We want to break ground next spring and complete the first sound stage within the next year or so," he said.

The proposed development would be located on a 37-acre vacant lot bordered by Southern Pacific Railroad, a Southern California Edison power station and Los Angeles Avenue.

In addition to 14 sound stages, the project would include an exterior back lot featuring city and residential streets and equipped for rain and fire effects.

The City Council unanimously approved a preliminary request to change zoning on a portion of the property slated for the studio, at a meeting last week.

"I believe the council should do everything in its power to ensure that a project like this happens," said longtime Moorpark resident Havey Plaks at the meeting. "It will definitively help the city. I've seen many projects turned down, and I hope the city won't pass this opportunity."

The studio will fund some improvements on Los Angeles Avenue, said Plaks, who lives alongside the busy state route. And it will put Moorpark on the map and help local businesses, he said.

City officials seemed to agree with Plaks. "If there is a downside to this, I haven't heard about it," said Councilmember Keith Millhouse.

In addition to providing jobs and boosting business for retailers in downtown Moorpark, Weitzman and Marshall said they want to create learning opportunities for young filmmakers who attend Moorpark College.

Students in Moorpark Unified School District would also benefit from a partnership with the studio, said District Superintendent Ellen Smith, who spoke with Weitzman after the Rotary Club event.

"We're anxious to explore the possibilities. The sky's the limit," Smith said.

Weitzman and Marshall will be speaking at the noontime Rotary Club meeting on Fri., Sept 5 at Moorpark County Club. Those interested in attending the event may contact Bruce Thomas at (805) 778-1160.