If you were to walk down South Division on First Fridays, a monthly event on the first friday that is aimed at promoting businesses in Avenue of the Arts down Division, you might just miss or stop short of an amazing little space doing a great many things. In the words of the android David in the 2012 mystery sci-fi film “Prometheus,” “Big things have small beginnings.” No other phrase is more apt once you get the opportunity to tour and speak with a little team with big ideas.
The location is 222 Division Ave. South, and the team is Snow Monster Studios. This handful of young creatives from around the city and country have one thing in common, media. David Prindle, co-founder of the studio and co-working space, describes it best when he says, “We are a bunch of people trying to make awesome stuff; I make movies; other people here make podcasts, film in VR (virtual reality); and we have someone that makes props.”
A quick look around Snow Monster’s space shows the DNA of the team. This is not the place that you bring your $8 coffee and “update your blog.” This space is raw and functional, with a secret compartment room for quiet work.
“Snow Monster Studios is the film division of our group and Snowball Studios is the podcast and marketing arm of our space,” Prindle explains.
Prindle himself teaches at Kendall College of Art & Design, runs the Snow Monster space, and works on his own projects that include an ambitious, fully immersive animated VR film. A natural maker with curiosity, Prindle sees the film industry as antiquated and full of middlemen that impede the process of innovation and art. He hopes to secure funding for his film project soon, and when asked to explain why he chose such a complex project, he replies, “Because it’s hard, no one has done it before. That’s what excites me. I can have fun figuring it all out, and still make an awesome movie.”
His ambition does not end there. Prindle aims to grow Snow Monster Studios into a bigger space that he hopes to design and build himself: a place with an audio and film studio, a co-working space, and a learning environment. He wants to get the knowledge that he has into as many hands as possible. His dream is to help make Grand Rapids a hub for filmmakers, but he is acutely aware that the makeup of the industry needs to change.
“When we don’t bring in different people, we lose out on talent,” Prindle says, describing the homogeneity of the film industry.
“I want things to change; I want to bring jobs to our city; I want to make sure people learn new skills,” Prindle adds as he talks about his vision for Snow Monster Studios.
The space is currently available for memberships, although some have already moved in, and some of the benefits of joining the space are as follows:
- First consideration for hire when Snow Monster Studios receives paid work.
- Powerful rendering machine
- Motion capture software and system
- Access to film equipment
- Reservation of studio
- Photography space
- Event space reservation
With memberships on a six-month or 12-month agreement and price ranging from as low as $30 for students and $250 for 24/7 access, the studio is highly competitive given the co-working landscape in Grand Rapids.
Snowball Studios itself will be having its launch party this Thursday, March 2nd from 6-9pm and will be a great chance to meet the entire team and tour the amazing little space they have literally carved out for themselves on South Division.
Ken Miguel-Cipriano is Rapid Growth’s innovation and jobs editor. To reach Ken, you can email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
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