Studios 121 Opens Full-Service Production and Media Facility in Fort Worth

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Studios 121, a full-service media facility, has opened its doors as a cost-effective partner to Metroplex businesses and producers looking to create corporate communications programs, commercials and infomercials for TV and cable, as well as live satellite or fiber feeds for news organizations. Studios 121 offers turnkey production services, plus a digital media center featuring complete network origination, master control, fiber connectivity and satellite uplink. The company offers both an incredible facility and a very capable production staff.

Studios 121 (www.studios121.com) was formed to meet the demands of independent producers and corporations in the D/FW Metroplex who are seeking a cost-effective alternative to high-cost and high-overhead production facilities. Many companies regularly utilize full-service production facilities to create and distribute internal programming to employees around the country as well as corporate videos and other projects. Now, more than ever, there is a great need for a facility like Studios 121 in Fort Worth, considering the relocation of CRM Studios from Fort Worth to Las Colinas.

“It’s a great time to launch Studios 121 because people are seeking cost-saving alternatives for their production needs. Businesses still need production services and need to communicate with their employees, and during this economic downturn, Studios 121 makes that possible for companies and projects of all sizes,” said Michael G. Fletcher, a 20-year media veteran and the CEO and principal founder of Studios 121. “We are able to offer lower costs because Studios 121 was formed with strong financial backing, no debt, and a commitment to investing in the equipment, studios, and staff needed to deliver a great product to our clients. My partners and I are all production professionals working in the business every day which eliminates the need for costly executive salaries that must be passed on to clients.”

Studios 121 is located just minutes east of downtown Fort Worth at 6125 Airport Freeway (Freeway 121) in Haltom City. The 43,000-square-foot facility is fully equipped to handle all production needs and also operates a 24-hour network origination service with C-Band uplink for cable and television networks.

Luis Estrada, chief operating officer and co-founder of Studios 121, stated: “Inside Studios 121, clients will find a friendly and fully bilingual staff, three production stages, an integrated digital control room, satellite uplink, multiple downlink antennas, worldwide fiber connectivity, digital cameras, jib crane, master control playback, Ultimatte green screen and white cyclorama, studio lighting, Avid and Final Cut Pro HD editing suites, Pro Tools Audio suite, graphic design and animation centers, and other production and satellite/fiber services. Our experienced team is capable of handling any production need.”

Studios 121 is staffed by a team of production professionals with vast corporate and broadcast experience who have produced projects for companies including 7-Eleven, Ford, AT&T, Coors, the Grammy Awards, Nike, Univision, Telemundo, CMT, Cartoon Network, Anheuser-Busch, TNT, and many others.

Other company founders include Francisco Cuevas, director of creative services; Mario Calderon, director of operations and engineering; and Fernando Loera, director of interactive. Also, Studios 121 is joined by highly regarded local production veteran Will Raymond (formerly of Firestone Communications), who joins Studios 121 as senior production services manager.

“We are production professionals with a great history of work in the general, international, and U.S. Hispanic markets, creating branding, print, Web sites, TV shows, corporate videos and other projects for clients that have included Cartoon Network, Univision and locally based 7-Eleven and Dallas County Community College,” said Cuevas. Mario Calderon added: “Studios 121 is unique because it’s much more than just a production facility; it also offers master control and uplink for TV, cable and private networks.” Fernando Loera will focus on Web development and design and has more than 15 years of experience with companies including Coca-Cola, Univision, Telemundo, 7-Eleven, LULAC, Nike México, MVS Comunicaciones México, EsMastv, and Televisa México.

Studios 121 was formed through the acquisition of $2.5 million in production and broadcast assets in a transaction between Studios 121 and 12K, LLC, an affiliate of Connemara Capital, in connection with certain assets of Firestone Communications. The transaction also included the transfer of the master lease for the 43,000-square-foot facility, which allowed Studios 121 to assume the production, master control and uplink business located at the facility. Mr. John C. Glover, managing partner of Connemara Capital, agreed to join the board of directors of Studios 121 upon closing of the transaction. Mr. Glover commented, “I look forward to working with Michael Fletcher and his outstanding team of media professionals in building a superior business.”

Immediately upon its formation, Studios 121 began providing network origination for the ¡Sorpresa! and America One networks. ¡Sorpresa! (www.sorpresatv.com) is the nation’s first children’s cable television network broadcast exclusively in Spanish, offering culturally relevant programming for children ages 2 to 17. America One (www.americaone.com) is a 24-hour broadcast network that provides Western, equestrian, and homeland values programming to more than 20 million households via 123 broadcast affiliate stations located in 40 states.

About Studios 121

Studios 121, Inc., is a privately held Texas corporation based in Fort Worth, Texas, and is owned and operated by a group of media industry professionals. The company’s 43,000-square-foot facility is located at 6125 Airport Freeway in Haltom City, Texas (Fort Worth) and comprises offices, production studios, editing suites, satellite uplink, fiber connectivity, downlink antennas, and other media equipment and services. Studios 121 offers full-service production, Web site development and 24-hour master control and uplink for TV, cable and private networks. The company’s current clients include CRM Studios, ¡Sorpresa!, America One, Worldwide Satellite Communications, and others. For more information about the company and its board of directors, please visit www.Studios121.com.