A studio for filming and photography, ‘The Studio Space’, has opened in Wanaka. 

The 130sqm facility is available to hire by people needing a local location for their film production or photography needs, and co-founder Joe Murdie says it is filling a gap in the local market.

“I think it’s something that the area has needed for quite some time,” he said. 

“Our idea behind the space is to create a location, and provide the facilities for us and other creatives in the region to access without having to spend a fortune travelling out of town.”

He said The Studio Space is the town's first dedicated, open for hire studio and it would also be home to industry related networking events, training courses, gear hire hub and much more.

The space is designed for everything from product photography to filming, gallery events and more.

Joe is a director and cinematographer based in Wanaka who has worked on a variety of national projects and he said having a dedicated film studio is a major boost for Wanaka.

“The whole idea is to contribute to the local film industry so we can all step up and compete with the bigger out of town companies while keeping it all right here at home.”

The space combines both 'The Cyc Room', featuring an 8mx5mx3m corner infinity wall, lighting rigs and projector for large screenings, as well as 'The Martini Room', a lounge style meeting space with a Smart TV for viewing rushes or finished films.

There is also an extensive range of additional lighting and rigging kits available, product photography equipment and a growing selection of props held on site, plus connections to other suppliers in the region.

Art gallery events, large screenings, unique events, podcast recording, and meeting room hire are some of the other uses for The Studio Space outside of filming and photography.

The Studio Space is located in Spencer House on Dunmore Street. 

“We can’t wait to see who comes to use the space,” Joe said. 

PHOTO: Supplied