and Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP served as legal counsel to Cinespace. All Rights Reserved. He would later help his nephew, Chicago native Alex Pissios, open the North Lawndale branch in 2011, where Pissios has been president and CEO since. On a personal note, the Chicago film community, the recipients of the CineCares Foundation, the Pilsen neighborhood, and the City of Chicago, owe a huge debt of gratitude to Uncle Nick Mirkopolous, Alex Pissios, and the entire Mirkopolous family for having the foresight, determination, talent, expertise, faith, and vision to raise up the Chicago film industry when others have tried and failed. As the Dick Wolf, One Chicago series prepares to wrap soon for the season, Cinespace announced four new series filming at its facilities. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand on their vision by building a best-in-class studio platform that serves the creator community and drives job growth in Toronto, Chicago, and beyond, said Jacob Muller, managing director at TPG Real Estate Partners. On Tuesday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot of Chicago, the first Black woman and first openly L.G.B.T.Q. During this pandemic, I think we all had a chance to experience how essential quality shows are to our culture and even to our mental health. Skip to content Reel Chicago News At the Intersection of advertising, TV, film and production REEL PRO Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP served as legal counsel to TREP. TPGs investment will expand these efforts and provide more jobs for Illinois.. Cinespace Chicago opened in 2010 and currently operates 33 stages, with an additional 15 stages undergoing development or conversion on more than 60 acres. "During this pandemic, I think we all had a chance to experience how essential quality shows are to our culture and even to our mental health. Expanding the states capacity for television and media production will create opportunities for countless Illinoisans including the job training and apprenticeship programs that have been hallmarks of Cinespaces efforts in Illinois. Cinespace Chicago Film Studios has been home to NBC's Chicago Fire, Chicago Med and Chicago P.D. Williamson is a native Chicagoan and rose through the ranks of commercial, non-scripted and scripted TV production starting as a production assistant. TPG was founded in 1992 and now has approximately $108 billion of assets under management with investment and operational teams in 12 offices around the world. Upon taking office, Quinns Republican successor Bruce Rauner, demanded Cinespace return the grant money following a Chicago Sun-Times investigation that showed that the parcels Cinespace had intended to buy were not for sale. The show follows a couple who discovered a chamber buried in their backyard, which inexplicably leads to a strange, deserted planet. Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med have been the longest tenants at Cinespace, which has over 2 million square feet of space and is located on the campus of the old Ryerson Steel Company on the citys West Side. This courtroom drama follows a promising black high school athlete who is swept up into the Chicago criminal justice system. Today's news is good news for Cinespace Studios, our city, and our thriving film sector. 415-743-1550, Internet Explorer presents a security risk. They've carefully guarded their secret, but when a mysterious young man enters their lives, the couples' quiet existence is quickly upended. . Contact Heather Cherone:@HeatherCherone| (773) 569-1863 |[emailprotected]. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left;width:100%;font-weight:normal;}, Beyond Chicago from the Air with Geoffrey Baer, The Great Chicago Fire: A Chicago Stories Special, Surviving R.Kelly: Final Installment Examines Trial and More Details, Chicago Film Critics Break Down Sight and Sounds New Greatest Films of All Time List, Actor and Director Isaiah Washington Brings New Film to Chicago, Starstruck Memories from Chicago International Film Festival Founder, New Chicago-Set Film Highlights Citys Street Art Scene, After Unexpected Death of Her Husband, Naperville Woman Plans to Finish His Documentary, Venus and Jupiter Will Be Side by Side in Wednesdays Night Sky. One of the most storied studio complexes in the world, offering 21 sound stages rich in history, with vast production facilities and second-to-none production services that have been utilized by legendary filmmakers. "Jane has worked on the Cinespace lot for many years in several different roles and understands the needs of a production and the Chicago film and TV community," Egan says in a release. TPGs investment will expand these efforts and provide more jobs for Illinois, one of the many reasons why we feel they are the right fit to take on the business, continued Alex Pissios, President and CEO of Cinespace Chicago. Stay on top of the latest film, TV, advertising, entertainment and production news! For 10 years, the majority of TV and movie projects in Chicago have been filmed at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, the soundstage complex in North Lawndale. Chicago has a compelling, beautiful cityscape with so much potential. J.B. Pritzker. Chicago, Illinois, United States . According to the news release, TPG plans to expand upon the program, but did not provide further details. Studio Babelsberg Honored as Treasure of European Film Culture, Cinespace to Expand Production Infrastructure in Port Lands to Better Serve Toronto, Hollywoods Streaming Gold Rush Keeps Ontario Soundstages at Full Capacity, Cinespace Studios Announces Updates to Platform Following Annual General Meeting at Studio Babelsberg, Cinespace Names Andy Weltman Co-CEO of Legendary Studio Babelsberg, Illinois Shatters Record for Film Production Revenues at $630 Million in Economic Impact, Chicago Public Servant Michael Scott Jr. to Join Cinespace Studios as Director of Industry and Community Relations, Cinespace and York University Commit $3.12 Million to Motion Media Studio for Students, Illinois Film Production Tax Credit Expanded. This website uses cookies or other identifiers, which are necessary for its functioning. ", The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, said: Since launching in 1988, Cinespace has been a pillar of Torontos world class entertainment industry. Returning series filming at the Chicago campus include Chicago Fire, Season 9; Chicago P.D., Season 8; Chicago Med, Season 6; and The Chi, Season 4; South Side, Season 2; and The Big Leap. Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement she was thrilled Cinespaces new owners plan to expand its workforce. New programs scheduled to film at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios this spring include Lightyears, 61st Street, Power Book IV: Force, and Paper Girls. I am thrilled to see this acquisition expand our capability for content creation and look forward to the jobs and productions it will bring to our region. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker commented: Illinois is proud to welcome TPGs investment in Cinespace and Illinois booming film industry. At the Intersection of advertising, TV, film and production. Leslie Shribman and Courtney Power Information. Consumer appetite for original content has accelerated through the pandemic, leading to a dramatic increase in the demand to produce new films and television and in turn, a surge in the need for studio space, Bantasz said. Its how we build something beyond facilities, develop a stronger, more diverse workforce, broaden educational platforms, change the narrative behind the camera, and affect meaningful change to create a more vibrant industry. Cinespace Chicago Film Studios specializes in the Development, Management & Operation of Studio Facilities. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune). Monique Scott needed more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff. Cinespace Chicago Film Studios - DePaul University Sep 2021 - Mar 2022 7 months. The results of that poll, in a word: Oof. Mirkopoulos and Pissios, with help from Coli and Teamsters lobbyists, were able to secure millions in state funds to acquire the 60-acre site of the former Ryerson Steel and convert it into studio space. Consumer appetite for original content is a growing secular trend that has accelerated through the pandemic, leading to a dramatic increase in the demand to produce new films and television and in turn, a surge in the need for studio space, said Avi Banyasz, partner and co-head of TPG Real Estate, in a statement. 86 active stages. Federal authorities made secret recordings at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios as part of an investigation into a Teamsters union boss who last month was charged with extorting the business, the . Force is set on Chicago's South Side and stars Chicago Northwest Side native Joseph Sikora and also welcomes Anthony Fleming (Prison Break) and Lucien Cambric (Chicago PD) to the show. When Hollywood comes to Chicago to film, they do it Chicago style. With all precincts reporting, Monique Scott won 45.4 percent of the vote in a crowded field, while challenger Creative Scott had 12.6 percent. Jones Lang Lasalle served as financial advisor to TREP. Michael Scott Jr. (24th), on June 22, 2022. Follow our newsletter to keep up with new offerings and opportunities at Cinespace and key developments across our entire industry. Its a done deal! said Pissios. TPG Real Estate Partners ("TREP") is the dedicated real estate equity investment platform of global alternative asset firm TPG. A federal appeals panel has ruled an Illinois state agency didn't violate . In 2019, film and television productions generated $560 million in revenue and created more than 15,000 jobs in Illinois, before operations screeched to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Locations Cinespace Chicago Your preeminent production platform with 36 active stages across its 1.6 million square foot two campuses, located within 15 minutes of downtown. Eoin Egan, who formerly worked as head ofproductionservices at Netflix, will be named Cinespaces new COO, according to Deadline. The family-owned Cinespace Chicago Film Studios in North Lawndale has been sold to private equity firm TPG. Chicago has always been a major player in film and TV production, but truth be told, this family took it to a whole new level. Email Newsroom@BlockClubChi.org. Sign up for our free elert here. Poles needs to make sure Eberflus maintains significant input. A judge ordered Steven Montano, 18, to be held without bail at a Friday hearing as he faces a murder charge in the slaying of officer Andrs Mauricio Vsquez Lasso. In TPG, weve found a partner who loves our great city of Toronto, respects Cinespaces heritage and tradition of philanthropy, and has the expertise and resources to help lead the company into its next phase of growth, said Steve Mirkopoulos, president and CEO of Cinespace Toronto. Watch. Stay on top of the latest advertising, film, TV, entertainment and production news. Cinespace, the studio that is home to Chicago-based film and TV productions including Chicago Fire, has been sold to the real estate arm of TPG, a buyout firm based in Texas and California, the two companies announced Friday. The Midwest's production hot spot and second-largest film studio outside of Los Angeles in North America, recently added another 105,000 square foot industrial . Were really happy to have the industry back in action on our campus, said Alex Pissios, president and CEO of Cinespace Chicago Film Studios. The studio was acquired by TPG Real Estate in a deal announced Friday. Chicago has a compelling, beautiful cityscape with so much potential for film productions of all mediums and sizes, Lightfoot said. For 10 years, the majority of TV and movie projects in Chicago have been filmed at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, the soundstage complex in North Lawndale. Returning series filming at the Chicago campus includeChicago Fire, Season 9;Chicago P.D., Season 8;Chicago Med, Season 6; andThe Chi, Season 4; South Side, Season 2; andThe Big Leap. The comic book series will bring a lot of excitement to the small screen exploring everything from time travel between different centuries, future versions of characters, and the question of whether or not the past can or should be changed by time travelers. Crains Chicago Business reported the sale price as $1.1 billion. When current Illinois Film Office director Peter Hawley was appointed two years ago, he talked about the need for more soundstage space. He has the pedigree, too: his grandfather Bob was a left tackle and offensive captain on Packers teams that won five NFL championships from 1961-67. Cinespace is the second largest independent sound stage platform in North America with best-in-class studio campuses. TPGs purchase of Cinespace is not an outlier, but part of a larger trend, thanks to a nationwide shortage of available stage space due to the onslaught of projects demanded by streaming services. In Toronto, Cinespace Film Studios was founded in 1988 by highly revered, (Uncle) Nick Mirkopolous. Chicago has a compelling, beautiful cityscape with so much potential for film productions of all mediums and sizes, Lightfoot said. Cinespace Chicago Film Studios' sprawling 60-acre campus is located on the West Side, with the main studios at 2621 W. 15th Place in North [] Officials with TPG, a Texas- and California-based buyout firm, did not reveal how much it paid for Cinespace's operations in . While making deliveries the day after Halloween, the girls become involved in a conflict between two groups of time travelers. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times Alexander S. Pissios, president of Chicago's largest movie studio, had gone bankrupt but was still more than $1 million in debt when federal agents showed up three years ago. It was a stunning rebuke. Michael Scott Jr. (24th) is resigning from the City Council to take a job with Cinespace Studios, a West Side movie studio."Cinespace Studios is an important part of the local . Key tenants at Cinespace include 312 Fast Draw, AbelCine, Cinelease, DePaul FilmSchool, Keslow Camera, Lagunitas, and Periscope Post & Audio. Life on a third straight one-year contract with the mega-talented Astros isnt bad at all. how interested you are in the Fire, whose season begins Saturday against New York City FC at Soldier Field. Community has always been core to who we are at Cinespace, and I am deeply proud of the employment and education opportunities weve created. I look forward to partnering with TPG to continue growing this critical industry and seeing what Illinois talent and infrastructure inspires in creatives across our state., Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot continued: "Chicago has a compelling, beautiful cityscape with so much potential for film productions of all mediums and sizes. J.B. Pritzker said in the TPG statement. Since opening in 2011, Cinespace has helped bring more than 15,000 new jobs to the area. You can accept the use of cookies or other identifiers by closing or clicking the accept button. The productions will bring more than 200 300 new jobs per show to the campus and play a vital role in resurrecting the television and film industry in Chicago. The furtive chamber they thought they knew so well turns out to be much more than they could ever have imagined. Much Shelist P.C. Skoronski is productive: in three seasons as Northwesterns starting left tackle, he allowed just five sacks in 2,364 snaps. With 42 sound stages on its 2.2 million square foot main campus in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood and additional studios at 31st and Kedzie, Cinespace is the largest film studio outside of California. Do. Ve el apartamento 3N en alquiler en 1448 S Rockwell St en Chicago, IL desde $1200 y encuentra otros apartamentos disponibles en Chicago. The deal includes both the Chicago and Toronto locations, which have more than 50 soundstages combined. TPG, which also owns a majority stake in the Hollywood talent agency CAA, declined to confirm that figure when contacted by the Tribune. Terms of the deal, and the purchase price, were not mentioned in the release. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but its understood from a source close to the transaction that the real estate equity investment arm of asset firm TPG paid around $1.1 billion for Cinespace Studios in Chicago and Cinespace Toronto. Cinespace Chicago specializes in the development, management, and operation of studio facilities for the film, television, and digital media production industry. Lightyears is a sci-fi drama co-produced by Amazon Studios and Legendary Television by writer Holden Miller and producer Daniel C. Connolly. 2621 West 15th Place Chicago, Illinois 60608 Recent News About Cinespace Chicago Appeals panel turns out lights on Chicago film studio's antitrust suit vs IL Film Office By Scott Holland | Friday, Oct 18, 2019 @ 12:27pm. The statement also includes praise from Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. Cinespace Chicago specializes in the development, management and operation of studio facilities. But the latest news, received glee-fully by producers, may deliver still more impetus to Chicago's impressive growth . I am thrilled to see this acquisition expand out capability for content creation and look forward to the jobs and productions it will bring to our region.. Cinespace furthers their vision to build a premier global production platform Reel Chicago News Cinespace Studios announced a series of key leadership changes at Studio Babelsberg, a leading German film studio majority owned by Cinespace. Lightyearswill premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. As part of Cinespace's commitment to the neighborhood, the family established CineCares Foundation to train and employ area residents through education and job training in TV & Film. The Cinespace brand is recognized around the world for the productions filmed on its premises by the most renowned content creation companies. For more information on programs filming at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios or for information on CineCares Foundation, please visit ChicagoFilmStudios.com or CineCaresFoundation.org. . This enterprise has been a true family business, and todays transaction marks another important milestone in our 33-year history. News about the Studio and Production Facility Industry | Cinespace News and industry updates about Cinespace, as well as the entire industry devoted to filming locations, production facilities, and studio space. [CDATA[ We welcome this acquisition by TPG and look forward to their continued investment in Cinespace and commitment to growing their operations in Toronto. Skip to content About Us Locations CinecaresNews Contact Log In Cinespace Chicago Cinespace Toronto TPG is bringing in its own team. The indie studio operator was founded by the Toronto-based Mirkopoulos family in 1988, and the Chicago campus was launched in 2010. The Chicago-based chain, which also has locations in Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Dallas, opened the Wicker Park location in 2017. He was so successful in this endeavor that CineCares created 7,500 new jobs. CineCares is how we support, promote, and engage local communities. The largest provider of sound stages and production support in the region, at 1.4 million square feet - with a total of 29 stages over three major campuses, including purpose built stages with 45 clear heights. It is home to Dick Wolfs Chicago-set shows, including the One Chicago series, and Showtimes The Chi.. Mayor Lori Lightfoot commended the investment for the jobs and productions it will bring to the city. Cinespace Chicago opened in 2010 and currently operates 33 stages, with an additional 15 stages undergoing development or conversion on more than 60 acres. Pat Quinns administration in 2016, Cinespace sought a $15 million state grant to buy real estate to expand its footprint, later reducing the request to $10 million. Sign up for our free elert here. Based on the comic book series by Brian K. Vaughan,Paper Girls is an Amazon series created by two studios, Legendary Television and Plan B, and written by Stephany Folsom, who previously worked onToy Story 4andThor: Ragnarok. Keep up to date with our latest industry news, from across the world. One of the projects launched under Pissios tenure is a pipeline program called CineCares. The deal, valued at $1 billion according to Crains Chicago Business, means the Pissios family of Chicago will no longer control the studio space they founded in 2011 with the aid of millions of dollars in state grants. Cinespace Studios announces that Jane Williamson will join the company as Head of Client Services & Studio Operations in Chicago.Nick Pissios will be leaving the position.. Jane was most recently Production Supervisor on season 2 of Lionsgate TV's Power Book IV: Force and Legendary Entertainment's Night Sky. CHICAGO, April 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The film industry in Chicago is back up and rolling! person to lead the city, failed to advance to a runoff, earning just 17 . The CineCare's Foundation Mirkopoulos Internship Program partners with FOX, HBO, NBCUniversal, Wolf Films, and Studio Mechanics Union Local 476. For more information, visit www.tpg.com. Eastdil Secured provided financing advisory to TREP for the transaction. Industry veteran Eoin Egan, who most recently was head of production services at Netflix, will join Cinespace as chief operating officer and a co-managing partner. To learn more, please refer to the cookie policy. TREP plans to expand the work done by the CineCares Foundation, a platform founded by Cinespace in Chicago in partnership with key productions on site to provide job training and education to underserved communities. Detectives were questioning a person who was inside the home at the time. Outlets including Crains Chicago Business and Deadline.com are reporting a sale price of $1 billion. CineCares creates pathways into the film industry for young people on the South and West Sides through job training, education and internships at Cinespace. Cinespaces flagship studio campus on Kipling Avenue in Toronto has played host to shoots for Reign, Beauty and the Beast, Goon: Last of the Enforcers and 12 Monkeys. J.B. Pritzker welcomed Cinespaces new owners and said in a statement he was pleased the firm would expand the states capacity for television and media production will create opportunities for countless Illinoisans including the job training and apprenticeship programs that have been hallmarks of Cinespaces efforts in Illinois.. New production scheduled to film at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios this spring includeLightyears,61stStreet,Power Book IV: Force, and Paper Girls. Theyve carefully guarded their secret, but when a mysterious young man enters their lives, the couples quiet existence is quickly upended. The companys Booth Avenue Studios hosted shoots for Guillermo del Toros The Strain, Heroes: Reborn, Rupture and Between. Media Contact TPG Real Estate has a portfolio of some $5 billion in properties under management, according to the company website. What to eat. //]]> Block Club Chicago is a nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, nonpartisan and essential coverage of Chicagos diverse neighborhoods. 24th Ward candidates headed to April runoff. The show follows a couple who discovered a chamber buried in their backyard, which inexplicably leads to a strange, deserted planet. To ensure the most secure and best overall experience on our website we recommend the latest versions of, Internet Explorer is no longer supported. On Friday TPG Real Estate Partners, the real estate arm of the private equity firm TPG, announced plans to acquire Cinespace, the family-run business where the Dick Wolf shows for NBC film. Cinespaces new owners plan to expand the CineCares Foundation, which offers residents of underserved Chicago neighborhoods job training and education in the television and film industry. I look forward to seeing Cinespace and the entire film sector in the city with all the jobs that rely on it continue to grow over the coming years.". To learn more, please refer to the cookie policy. The comic book series will bring a lot of excitement to the small screen exploring everything from time travel between different centuries, future versions of characters, and the question of whether or not the past can or should be changed by time travelers. Last year, he secured $21 million in financing for the first phase of a $76 million project to develop property along Ogden Avenue with the CHA and other partners, a proposal Pissios filed while also negotiating his deal with federal prosecutors. Follow our newsletter to keep up with new offerings and opportunities at Cinespace and key developments across our entire industry. The program has provided training to local youth and young adults, giving its apprentices the opportunity to work on Cinespace Chicago campus productions. Studio Babelsberg Honored as Treasure of European Film Culture, Cinespace to Expand Production Infrastructure in Port Lands to Better Serve Toronto, Hollywoods Streaming Gold Rush Keeps Ontario Soundstages at Full Capacity. SAN FRANCISCO & FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TPG Real Estate Partners ("TREP"), the dedicated real estate equity investment platform of alternative asset firm TPG, today announced that it has acquired Cinespace Studios in Chicago and Toronto (Cinespace). You can accept the use of cookies or other identifiers by closing or clicking the accept button. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand on their vision by building a best-in-class studio platform that serves the creator community and drives job growth in Toronto, Chicago, and beyond, continued Jacob Muller, Managing Director at TREP. 3.6 million square feet. Thank you Alex for being the best ambassador this film community could ask for. Eoin Egan, who served as the head of production services at Netflix, will serve as the chief operating officer of Cinespace, officials said. Illinois is proud to welcome TPGs investment in Cinespace and Illinois booming film industry, Gov. Cinespace Chicago specializes in the development, management and operation of studio facilities, now home to the Dick Wolf One Chicago franchise of Chicago Fire, Med and P.D. The Cinespace brand is recognized. Having Chicago as a critical link to providing not only quality entertainment, but also good-paying jobs in our community makes all the extra effort to help production companies keep filming worth it.". Cinespace Chicago Entertainment | Film/Movies. Oscar-winner Sissy Spacek and three-time Emmy-nominated Ed O'Neill will star in the sci-fi drama. While making deliveries the day after Halloween, the girls become involved in a conflict between two groups of time travelers. (Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago) Voters will decide who of the two contenders will take the 24th Ward's aldermanic seat in the April runoff after Monique L. Scott only secured . The company launched in Toronto in 1988 and today operates 23 production stages across the city, with another 12 stages planned for development on more than 40 acres. Website. Polling Place: Is Patrick Kane the greatest Blackhawk ever. Your preeminent production platform with 36 active stages across its 1.6 million square foot two campuses, located within 15 minutes of downtown. In addition to film production, the campus is home to Stage 18 Chicago, a 501(c) 3 organization and incubator established to retain and grow talent in Chicago. Founded by the Mirkopoulos family in Toronto together with the Pissios family in Chicago, Cinespace specializes in the development, management, and operation of studio space and support facilities for the film, television, and digital media production industry. Pissios went on to be president of Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, the post he held when federal prosecutors accused him of failing to disclose all of his assets in his bankruptcy and got him to . Cinespace Chicago opened in 2010 and currently operates 33 stages, with an additional 15 stages undergoing development or conversion on more than 60 acres. What you need to live your best life now. This timely and provocative drama is set against the systemic abuse that exists in some of our countrys most vulnerable communities. The film operation at The Fields would be a smaller version of the Cinespace Chicago Film Studios campus on the West Side, where TV shows and movies are filmed and produced. The story centers around four 12-year-old girls who deliver newspapers. DOWNLOAD THE FOX 32 NEWS APP. Cinespace Chicago Film Studios welcomes several new productions to its growing campus.. As the Dick Wolf, One Chicago series prepares to wrap soon for the season, Cinespace announced four new series filming at its facilities.. The acquisition of Cinespace comes as the streaming content boom has Wall Street and hedge funds eyeing studio campuses for acquisition. The studio has about 33 sound stages and recently announced it will add up to 19 more soundstages to its campus. Forcewill follow Tommy Egan (Joseph Sikora) as he turns his back on New York and heads to Los Angeles through Chicago to take on the Irish mob. Chicago is an entity of its own. Community has always been core to who we are, said Alex Pissios, CEO of Cinespace. Thanks for subscribing to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Located on the west side of downtown Chicago, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios occupies 1.45 million sq. The release does not mention any role for Cinespace President and CEO Alex Pissios, whose run as the head of Cinespaces Chicago operation has seen the company expand into the citys premier studio space and purportedly the largest film campus east of California. Egan and Gee are accomplished executives who have significant experience building and scaling businesses. The two are not related. Cinespace Chicago Film Studio president Alexander S. "Alex" Pissios at a news conference last February at Cinespace Chicago Film Studio.