New Events + Studio Spotlight
Choice Stages & Hope Studios
This week, I stopped by Choice Stages to get the 411 on what’s been happening and to snap a few behind-the-scenes photos.
As I walked into the Montgomery 17K building, I was warmly greeted by Kristeen Piazza, the lovely stage manager. She gave me a full tour, starting with the furnished production office spaces upstairs, then leading me through the cafeteria and into one of the nearly finished 10,000 sq ft stages. With its 35-foot ceilings, I couldn’t help but smile. It's easy to imagine all the future productions that will come to life here.
And that’s just one of the four stages in this building! Down the hallway are two more 10,000 sq ft stages and a massive 20,000 sq ft stage. From the outside, you’d never guess how expansive it is, but inside? It’s a creative beast, and it genuinely made my heart happy.
Kristeen and I exchanged kind words about the team at Choice Films and our mutual fondness for my buddy Aren Antreasyan, who is thriving there.
Curious about Hope Studios in Middletown, another space managed by Choice, I asked Kristeen if I could visit, and she immediately called Colin Moroz to see if he’d be up for giving a tour. “Come on by,” he said. So off I went!
Just a short hop off I-84, I pulled up to what used to be an old car dealership. Colin welcomed me, mid restroom-cleaning, no less! He showed me around the space, which includes wardrobe and makeup areas, a green room, a big open cafeteria with a cheerful yellow wall featuring the Hope Studios name, and tons of flexible workspaces.
The stage itself is a spacious 10,000 sq ft and features two 30’ x 24’ cycloramas and a scenic shop. Colin kindly shared stories of past productions there and even gave me some nearby food recs before I hit the road.
As I headed home, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride for the Hudson Valley. You can’t always see it, but things are happening. Spaces are being built. Teams are growing. Productions are quietly gearing up.
BIG things are unfolding at Choice Films, and I have a feeling Summer Crocket Moore and Tony Glazer are in for some seriously good, busy fun. It’s all bubbling just under the surface and it’s a joy to witness it taking shape.
In honor of all the incredible soundstages and studios across the Hudson Valley, I’ve compiled an easy, always being updated document to help you explore what’s here. Please let me know if I missed any.
What: Linkup & Latte with HV BizLink
When: Friday, July 18
Time: 9 am
Where: Paula’s Runway Cafe, 263 New Hackensack Road, Wappingers Falls, 12590
Join for great coffee, genuine connections, and conversations that help you grow your business. Linkup & Latte events bring Hudson Valley business professionals together in a way that feels natural, fun, and worth your time. No stiff introductions—just real people building real relationships and supporting each other.
RSVP HERE.
What: HV Post - July 30 in Hudson
When: Wednesday, July 30
Time: 6:30 - 9 pm
Where: Schoolhouse Post, 34 Allen Street, Hudson, NY 12534
Join us for a special, limited-seating event at Schoolhouse Post — a brand-new color grading theater in Hudson.
Presentations: Ethan Palmer & Nat Jencks
Come early for networking at 6:30pm. Presentations start at 7pm. The theater has seating for 25 people. We will hold 35 tickets. Seats are first come, first served, others will be standing room. Check out the community website & join the HV Post Slack.
RSVP HERE.
What: Speed Networking at HUDSY Studios
When: Thursday, July 31
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Where: HUDSY, 721 Broadway, Studio B, Kingston, NY 12401 (at the end of the hallway on the first floor)
After the incredible response to our Speed Networking activity at our May 2025 Mashup, we’re excited to bring this fun, high-energy experience back as a stand-alone event at our very own HUDSY Studios in Kingston!
Theme: Projects in Pre-Production
Do you have a project currently in pre-production (narrative or documentary)? OR do you offer a film service that may support such projects (think editors, camera operators, sound designers, writers, composers, etc)?
This speed networking session is designed to spark fast, meaningful connections between creatives developing new work and professionals with skills to help bring those visions to life. Expect quick rounds of one-on-one introductions, a room full of passionate makers, and the chance to leave with real collaborators (or your next project)! Space is limited.
Get tickets HERE.
Festival: YoFiFest (Yonkers Film Festival)
Festival Dates: November 7-16, 2025
Where: YoFi DMAC Digital Media Art Center, Yonkers, NY
NEW Deadline: July 20, 2025
Submit HERE.
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I post daily on Tara’s Call Sheet Facebook Group. That’s where you’ll find more casting & crew calls.
Have an event you’d like me to share? Fill out this form or email the details, and I’ll add it to my social calendar.
Please share this with anyone you think will benefit from this Call Sheet!
Tara Latorre - Hudson Valley producer, connector, and passionate cheerleader
Awesome Tara, thank you for insight and resources!