High-end studio space goes dark as TCC moves in
Independent producers in Fort Worth will soon lose a sizeable option when CRM Studios shuts its doors at the former RadioShack headquarters to make way for the buildingÂ’s new owner, Tarrant County College, and its science labs.
The Tarrant County College District bought the four-building former RadioShack campus in June. In one of the RadioShack buildings, CRM has operated from its 48,000 square feet of studio space at 300 RadioShack Circle for several years at the south end of the campus. As part of TCCÂ’s purchase, however, CRM has to relocate by the end of the year so the college can begin work to transform the studio space into wet labs for its science department.
The move leaves many in the production business distraught.
“There is nothing like CRM in size and scope in Fort Worth and of course they’re going to move, but no one knows where they’re moving yet,” said Brian Pierce, a Fort Worth independent writer/producer. “They’ve got three or four studios of varying sizes and I can do everything in one place. They have everything for audio, shooting, editing – even animators on site. At most places, you have to pull those things from all different places, but at CRM, it’s all in one place.”
Currently, CRM StudiosÂ’ production and post-production facility is a cutting-edge media studio with modular digital video, audio and a machine control router that routes signals from up to 128 locations throughout the facility, according to CRMÂ’s Web site. The facility also is sound-isolated and features fabrication areas, sound stages, equipment storage and a graphics and animation department with on-site personnel.
As of press time, CRM could not comment on its future plans, but CRM Cheif Marketing Officer Tom Kirkhart said the company wants to maintain a downtown Fort Worth presence.
Pierce, who has produced videos for companies such as Justin Boots, Fort Worth Convention and VisitorsÂ’ Bureau and Sundance Square at CRMÂ’s studio, said the facility will not soon be replaced.
“There are other Fort Worth companies that I use that are good,” he said. “But they just don’t have the facilities available at CRM. That facility would take too much to replace and the closest comparable space is in Dallas.”
Tahita Fulkerson, the newly named president of TCCÂ’s downtown campus, said the CRM space is appealing because of its high ceilings, which could be renovated to hold two separate floors of lab space.
“We can get two floors out of that space and those labs are required for us to remain an accredited institution,” she said. “And it’s the only space available for such a renovation.”
Pierce said although CRM plans to rebuild, the space offered currently from RadioShack Circle is unique.
“I can’t see anyone building anything like that from scratch,” he said. “It would be a shame if CRM had to leave, not just for me and people like me, but for organizations all over Fort Worth. Once again, we’ll have to go to Dallas to shoot in a state-of-the-art studio.”
Fulkerson said she and other TCC officials lament the loss of the studio, but the space is a must for the college.
“If we had access to much more space, we might be able to work something out, but for us to have classes, we’ve got to have some labs,” she said.
