Steven Paul, one of the minds behind a proposal from Hollywood ambassador Jon Voight to boost filming in the U.S., has acquired a small studio in Van Nuys, with plans to use the facility as a new shooting base for his production company.
As Voight’s manager, Paul helped construct a sweeping proposal centered around a federal film incentive program and tariffs to the government aimed at curbing runaway production. He’s chief executive of SP Media Group, which has a cofinancing deal with Paramount Pictures and is active in making independent action thrillers.
Paul on Tuesday announced that he bought Avenue Six Studios, which has four soundstages and a backlot modeled after a New York City street, as he plans to shoot more of his films in the U.S. instead of overseas.
“We’re committed to making films in Hollywood and making Avenue Six Studios the most producer-friendly studio for filmmakers from around the world,” Paul said in a statement. “I currently have three productions slated for the studio this year and look forward to welcoming more projects to take advantage of its production capabilities.”
Paul, alongside Voight and his partner Scott Karol, has been acting as a liaison between the government and industry groups — like the Motion Picture Association, SAG-AFTRA and IATSE — to craft a plan aimed at promoting domestic production. Hollywood has mainly been rallying around a federal tax credit program while quietly discouraging the implementation of targeted tariffs that would penalize some productions for shooting abroad.
Paul is widely known as producer of independent films, with credits on Baby Geniuses, Ghost Rider and Ghost in the Shell. Last year, his group vying for control of Paramount sent a letter to National Amusements Inc. stating that he had the necessary funding to acquire a majority interest in the holding company, Bloomberg reported. He recently acquired the Atlas Comics library, founded by Marvel Comics founder Martin Goodman, and is spearheading the revival of the brand alongside Paramount.
In a statement, Karol, president of SP Media Group and Atlas Comics, stressed that Avenue Six is “perfectly suited to accommodate an array of creative visions.” He added, “The studios will be used primarily for film and television production, while its smaller sound stages will be used for branded content, music videos, photography, social media campaigns, podcasts, workshops, and industry events.”
The Last Gunfight, which stars Voight and is produced by Paul, is set to be released on May 27. The independent film follows a rogue crew infiltrating a deadly underground tournament of elite assassins.