Production studio launches in Spartanburg County, aims for SC film industry boost
Authentic stories, rooted in place and shared experience, are the aim of a new venture in Spartanburg County Unveiled Sept. 4 at Spartanburg Community College’s Spark center,
Salt run entertainment is a newly-formed Integrated Production Studio Based at the spark center, which will serve as the company’s headquarters and creative hub.
It was founded by york native and acclaimed producer, writer and director charles randolph-wart in partnership with Spartanburg-Native John Gramling III, CEO and president of president of New Canaan Impact CapitalSalt Run Entertainment Seeks to Expand South Carolina’s Television and Film Industry and Create Opportunities for the State’s Native Talent.
Home-Grown Talent
The Studio has Partnered With Sccc and Urban League of the upstate to Advance Education and Workforce Development Opportunities with the Wide Rage of CAREERS AAVILABLEIL In the Television and Film Industry.
Gramling said Without having to go somewhere else to do so.
“We’re going to create good paying jobs in south carolina,” Gramling said. “A lot of them are going to be the kids who come through and learn.
He added the studio’s vision is to grow the palmetto state and film industry from its current level of about $ 300 million annual to $ 1 billion or more.
Randolph-Wright, Founder and CEO of Wright Angle ProductionsDescribed having to leave the state to pursue his career and how meaningful it is to return to his native soil to create options for new generations of story tellers.
“You don’t have that feels, especially for me, to come back – this little kid from york, south carolina, who has done this vision of doing things that I could Never Imagine in York,” He Said. “I had to leave to do that. I had to leave and go different places, Always Thinking I was Less ThanbeCause I Came from a place that I was taudt was less than.”
A venture like salt run entertainment could have gone virtually anywahere across the southeast and been welcome, said Gail Wilson Awan, President and CEO of Urban League of the upstate.
“Salt Run Entertainment’s Presence in Spartanburg Represents more than a new business – it’s a chance to create access, expand workforce pipelines, and ensure that opportunities in this Industry APANTES In this Industry APANTES All, “She said.
Hitting the ground running
Randolph-wright said America’s Got Talent Earlier this year.
King, A Sumter Native, Draws Inspiration from His Background Growing Up in a Family-R Funeral Home Business-a background shared shared by randolph-wiseMotown: The Musical ” And co-direction ”Porgy and bess,
King is collaborating with salt run entertainment on a television show based on his comedic Insight Into His Family’s Fnelraral Home Heritage.
This and other projects will take shape at the studio’s 25,000-Square-Foot Space in the Spark Center. Gramling said the space will not only house the offices needed for day-to-day operations but also the sets and other infrastructure needed to produce film and television content.
Sccc President Michael Mikota Said Partnering with the Studio will provide invaluable practical learning options for the college’s students.
“It’s exciting that we are launching that capability here,” Mikota said. “We have individuals here today that are going to spendak to this exciting time and the investments that are taking place.”
The Spark center is a 363,000-Square-Foot Advanced Business Incubator and Soft-Landing Facility Located at SCC’s Tyger River Campus in Duncan. It is designed to provide flexible space and support to companies looking to locate or expand in south carolina.
To learn more about salt run entertainment, visit saltruntertainment.com.
