Toronto has a new location for commercial production shoots. Moxi Studios is a 1,050-square-foot commercial production studio tucked into the Church at Berkeley, a Heritage Building originally constructed in 1871 as a Wesleyan Methodist place of worship.

Under 13-foot-high ceilings, the new studio features 600-amp electrical service, a full lighting grid, cyclorama, a production office, two recording booths and a wardrobe room. There are also two kitchens within the space. ‘It’s absolutely perfect for commercial production,’ says Moxi president Shannon Skinner.

The church, formerly a major production facility for Vision Television, was purchased three years ago by Toronto antique collector and entrepreneur Doug Wheler in partnership with Katie Loudon.

The building itself has an aura of antiquated majesty. Pillars line the walls of the acoustically gifted performance area. A mezzanine overhang provides a glimpse of the carpeted upstairs. Old stairwells lead down to the wine cellar and art gallery that surround the production studio. There is even an outdoor garden with fountains and waterfalls.

Unbeknownst to Skinner, her grandfather (a founding director at Vision) was responsible for bringing Vision to the Church at Berkeley. ‘I guess fate sort of brought us to the same place,’ says Skinner. ‘And the two partners here [Wheler and Loudon] – their families were members of the original congregation in this church, as well. So all three of us have roots here.’

A writer, with 10 years of pr under her belt, Skinner’s broad vision for the space does not stop at commercial production. It embraces artists and performers as well as producers and directors.

Three entities make up the space – Moxi Studios, Moxi Entertainment and the Church at Berkeley.

Moxi Studios will handle studio rentals for commercial production; broadcast film and video production; Internet production and broadcast; industry workshops; creative launches of commercials; film screenings; still photography shoots; wrap parties; rehearsal space; casting sessions; and maybe even a film school.

The Moxi Entertainment division covers original programming development and production, live comedy shows, dinner theatre, catering and casting services.

The Church at Berkeley, however, will be used for everything from corporate meetings, focus groups, trade shows and news conferences to weddings, billiards tournaments and parties. It features the Circa art gallery and wine cellar.

Skinner says the whole building is available for shoots.

With so many events, activities and services going on at the Church at Berkeley, Skinner has a number of strategic partners whom she says ‘will really help us realize our dreams, visions and abilities, and vice versa.’

Alliances have already been formed with Mark Terry’s Liquid Pictures; Post-City Production; and Hennessy, Bray and Reade Communications, a strategic marketing and corporate communications company. Also, Skinner’s own pr firm, Comfy Chair Productions, is directly allied with Moxi.

Moxi Studios is located at 315 Queen Street East.