Studio 16 Opens in East Boston to Help Startups & Nonprofits Tell Their Story

Because 'we, as a city, have a big problem with storytelling.'

Image Provided

Image Provided

Three local filmmakers have converted a century-old firehouse in the Boston Shipyard into the city’s “new home for creativity.”

Studio 16 opened its doors in East Boston last week, providing startups, nonprofits, and content creators somewhere to share their story. The photo and video studio provides 2,500-square-feet of soundproof production space, 25-foot ceilings, a full kitchen and bathroom, and flexible workstations.

“We, as a city, have a big problem with storytelling,” says recent Emerson College grad and Studio 16 partner Tripp Clemens. “What we have to hire someone to do in Boston, someone in LA would do for free, because there’s an oversaturation of photographers and videographers. So many startups move out of Boston without their story being told.”

Over the last seven years, however, Clemens has focused on trying to tell those stories through Windy Films, a production company he cofounded with hometown friends Harvey Burrell and Will Humphrey. The Rhode Island natives launched Windy Films to tell stories of innovation and social impact. Last year, their first feature-length documentary, called “Endless Abilities,” spotlighting athletes with physical disabilities, aired on PBS.

For that documentary alone, the team traveled 7,000 miles. They’re on the road regularly, and that means empty studio space for other creatives who have a story to share, no matter the production’s scale or medium—whether a YouTube series requires filming or a new product line needs to be shot.

To make capturing content easier, Studio 16 has partnered with Rule Camera Boston, so customers can book camera packages while reserving the studio. And if they book a package, Rule will deliver and pick up all of the equipment at no additional cost to the user.

“We want to make it as accessible as possible,” Clemens says, emphasizing the studio’s amenities, but also its location. “While we have 20 parking spots, 24-hour security, and are next to I-93 and The Pike, we’re also a $5 cab ride to Logan Airport and 10-minute walk to the Blue Line.”

Due to its proximity to the airport and downtown Boston, Clemens expects the studio to start catering to a wide range of clients, from nonprofits and startups to large Hollywood productions.

“I think our studio will be competitive in the market at some point,” he explains. “But in the meantime, we are committed to having this foothold in the city in more of the grassroots, creative community.”

Here’s an inside look at Studio 16:

Image Provided

Image Provided

Image Provided

Studio 16 Bathroom

Studio 16 Office Space

Studio 16 Product Shot

Studio 16 Editing Suite

All images provided.