The latest proposal for the Astrodome? Movie studio.

By MAGGIE GALEHOUSE
Houston Chronicle

In the grand theatrical tradition of Hey-I’ve-got-a-barn-let’s-put-on-a-show, the local film community has set it sights on Houston’s biggest barn.

The Astrodome.

Transforming the Astrodome into a huge production studio would preserve the landmark, create jobs and pull revenue from other parts of the country, say Elise Hendrix and Cynthia Hand Neely, the brains behind the latest idea for the aging sports venue.

As a production studio financed by independent investors, they argue, the Astrodome could be used 24/7, rain or shine.

“Hollywood has these huge soundstages, and we have some soundstages in Texas, but none are big enough to build a whole city in or to create an entire neighborhood,” says Neely, who sits on the board of directors of the Texas Motion Picture Alliance and is president of Women In Film & Television Houston. “There could also be periphery support outside the building for equipment rental, costumes and a number of individual businesses.”

So far, though, this is a dramatic proposal waiting to attach itself to some big investors and architects.

“We don’t want to name names,” Hendrix, a freelance makeup artist who has also acted and modeled, said Tuesday. “But we’re close to securing funding and moving on to the next phase of development, which is bringing in designers and engineers.”

Hendrix said her Astrodome plan has three parts. An umbrella group that she has set up, Greater Houston Global Management Group LLC, would oversee the three divisions:

• Astrodome Productions Studios would be a full-service site, with a large sound stage, 24-hour film processing labs, carpentry and equipment rentals, and more.
• An event-productions group would be set up to serve the southern region. In theory, it would be comparable to International Management Group, the group that produces Fashion Week in New York and Los Angeles.
• The Reel Stars of Texas Museum would honor actors, singers, writers, directors and behind-the-scenes players from the Lone Star State.

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An organization called Houston Association for Entertainment Professionals (H.A.E.P.) is looking support on this project. If interested, you can write, call or email them at the address below.

Houston Association of Entertainment Professionals
5907 Ancient Oaks
Humble, TX 77346
Phone: 1(337)255-2414
E-mail: info@houstonaep.org

CLICK HERE to visit the H.A.E.P. website and sign the electronic petition.

Watch A Video Below of H.A.E.P. on Houston’s Fox Morning Show Talk about the proposed Astrodome Movie Studio:

HAEP sets the stage for something BIG!