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Black Pigeon Studios

Black Pigeon Studios is a Black Owned rentable production studio and hub for Michigan creatives. We provide production space and workforce development that is accessible for all creatives. We e foster inclusion and champion collaboration as we, "Bridge The Gap" between Hollywood and Michigan.
As a Grand Rapids native, it was Josh's vision to bring an accessible space to the creative community in his hometown. ​ After making a new home in Los Angeles, Josh found his first success through music videos. Working with the likes of Mya, Snoop Dogg, and super producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Josh's visuals have assisted over 1 billion streams worldwide, 3 Gold Records, and 2 Billboard #1's. He now is focused on commercial, documentary, and narrative films. ​ From a humble beginning dropping out of school and working at Grand Rapids' local news station, Josh has always wanted to build a legacy and create a space for young creatives to learn and excel. This is the birth of Black Pigeon, an affordable, yet professional studio space for all creators in West Michigan.
https://www.blackpigeonstudios.com
October 5×5 Night
Voting Closes:

October 23, 2023 11:59 pm

About this idea
A rentable film and photo studio with a team of creative professionals dedicated to bringing your projects to life. Our facility offers two cyclorama stages, custom set construction, art direction, crew staffing services, and equipment rentals. Black Pigeon was founded to cultivate an inclusive community of creatives in West Michigan and establish a hub for all types of makers. Along with the rentable facility (soundstages) we offer both an internship program and currently developing a workforce development program. Objectives: - Deliver comprehensive and up-to-date film production education programs. - Foster a collaborative and creative learning environment. - Build strong industry connections and partnerships. - Ensure high student satisfaction and successful career outcomes.
Impact
I am on the board, Michigan Film Industry (MIFIA) that is responsible for the newly introduced House and Senate bills. These bills are focused on keeping creatives in Michigan by reinstating a film tax incentive. Our internship program will be a huge component to assisting current high school/college students in their creative education. Our workforce development program is an even bigger arm to this that will take students directly through a PA certification program and Virtual Production Program. This program works directly with IATSE (Union) to provide an OSHA certification, PA certification, and some college credits that are nationally recognized. When these bills are signed, the problem we face is a shortage of Michigan creative workforce. Most traditional schools fall short to give creative students on set experience and what they need to jumpstart a career on set. The real potential is a direct feeder for local Michigan creative talent. Being that it is also a rentable facility, there are overlaps of real productions crossing over and interacting with our current interns/students. This intersection is where we have seen direct job placement. We have already impacted so many lives and look forward to many more. (Please see the "Our Mission) video in the Vimeo link below).
What I'll do with $5,000
This grant will go right to the development of our internship program. We currently have 28 active interns, 15 of which we hyper focus on. We do this with no funding and out of pocket to grow the community and local workforce. We believe that the more we can better equip the community, the more prosperous we will be in the long term. These funds will go to providing stipends to our crew who already do this pro bono. Will also go to funds to help interns create their own projects after going through our program. The rest will be allocated to the day to day supplies like water/coffee/meals/craft services for interns/crew.
Links
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About Josh Sikkema

As a Grand Rapids native, it was Josh's vision to bring an accessible space to the creative community in his hometown. ​ After making a new home in Los Angeles, Josh found his first success through music videos. Working with the likes of Mya, Snoop Dogg, and super producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Josh's visuals have assisted over 1 billion streams worldwide, 3 Gold Records, and 2 Billboard #1's. He now is focused on commercial, documentary, and narrative films. ​ From a humble beginning dropping out of school and working at Grand Rapids' local news station, Josh has always wanted to build a legacy and create a space for young creatives to learn and excel. This is the birth of Black Pigeon, an affordable, yet professional studio space for all creators in West Michigan.

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