Glad to hear Neutral Zones Studios is continuing! I grew up with Star Trek and enjoyed Star Trek Continues in California. When I moved to St. Mary's GA. I had no idea I was 15 minutes from where these were filmed! Visited twice with family and was so impressed. I t was like walking into a dream come true. It almost floored me when the doors slide open and we saw the bridge! I guess the show and stories had a big impact on me. Even as an adult it all came back. I'm glad others will continue to have this great experience.
My dear friend Ray, thanks for everything you are doing to keep the studio alive. I, and some other members of my crew, wish we could be closer so we could be there to help with the move both in Ga and in Ohio. However, the moment you declare the studio open some of us are planing to fly there and visit the studio and meet with you and the crew. Some of us are already donating to the studio in a yearly contribution. I will spread the word here to see if I can get more folks to join the donations. For now, we wish you the very best in this gigantic endeavor and, again, or heartfelt gratitude for all you do. Looking forward to seeing you next year. God bless. (from the entire crew of the USS San Juan, NCC-1648, the Puerto Rico chapter of SFI).
A bit of quick research shows this new location is the former smaller TJ MAXX in THE SANDUSKY MALL (They moved into a larger location on the other side of the mall)...SPIRIT is currently in the space..the mail isn't quite a "dead mall" but is about at 80% occupacy...JC PENNY'S is the anchor. It's across the mail from "Federation Headquarters", a non-proit gift shop for the "International Federation of Trekkers, Inc" fan group - rather important facts left out of the interview...but clearly, they had to be the ones who let Ray know about the space...makes perfect sence, actually.
I've been to the Nuetral Zone several times with my daughter while at Kingsland. Always a great time. Although it's a bit further we're still going to make the Trek a couple of times a year. Not just to visit but if they need helpers or extras. Ray has always been a most gracious host
This really saddens me. I had high hopes the Studio would be staying in Fla. even though it will be out of our reach now I will still head over to the Patreon and continue to pray for all those involved. As soon as they get set all those in OHhio need to visit. It is truly a unique experience to have the op to see a real filming set rather than static displays. Much love to you Ray and the crew. I miss you all. GOD Bless you. Live Long and Prosper.
I will them the most!!!! I live in Kingsland, off Clark's Bluff, walking distance from TNZ sets, I would go to all Fan Appreciation weekends!!! Lived my fantasies!!!
As a frequent visitor to the Kingsland site, I have to say with much sadness, that I will miss the wonderful labor of love that was The Neutral Zone Studios Georgia. While I understand the reasons for the move, I have to admit that I wished another more local solution could have been found. Since I live in Central Florida, the 2 and a half hour drive was a fun roadtrip to visit every now and then, but now to travel to Ohio would be a major undertaking. Still, I look forward to travelling to Sandusky to visit the studio once it is up and running. Good luck Ray in this new location and I wish it all the best.
0:00 Introduction and Welcome 1:28 Ray bought the sets in 2018 2:05 What went wrong with our building 2:45 Problems from the eggroll factory we shared the building with 4:34 The owner wants to sell because the building is in disrepair 5:19 No A/C, No Parking lot - both fixed in the new location 7:16 Announcement of Sandusky Ohio as the destination 7:54 Ray is based in Boca Raton Florida 8:25 How they chose Sandusky 9:25 Ray's decision process to chose a new location 11:20 Location requirements (commercial, 12000 sq ft) 14:27 Tell us about Sandusky 16:30 Attractions nearby Sandusky 17:10 Financing the move 17:55 Staffing and hours 19:45 Gary Davis (of Ohio) involvement 20:37 Disassembly and Reassembly and 2 Semi Trucks so far 22:43 Volunteer labor for the move (dozens) 24:40 Ray is camped out in Kirkland 26:08 How long until you reopen in Ohio (early 2025)? 26:50 How many fan films have been made 27:46 New fan films and filming hours 30:00 Will there be new sets? 31:20 Will there be (new) dressing rooms, wardrobe, kitchen, lounge? 33:40 Costs of the move 35:40 Length of the Sandusky Mall Contract 37:00 Producing "Tales of the Neutral Zone" series 42:50 Significant volunteers 46:40 The emotional impact of visiting the sets 47:30 Closest airports (Cleveland or Toledo - 1 hr)
Dang, I would have loved if it had moved to Polk County! I'd go once a month since I live there! Anyway, glad I got to go last year, hope they have great success in Ohio!
so depressing you moved so far, since I live in Kingsland and the sets were a walking distance from my house down Clark's Bluff. Still happy you found a more habitable dock station for the starship. Sandusky, Ohio appears to have a population of 23,957 as of the last census and Kingsland, Georgia 18,300, not a big difference. However, the difference is that Kingsland, Georgia has a pretentious air about its size and importance, there are a lot of nice empty buildings you could have moved to, but local real estate owners think they are worth and arm and a leg. So not true... I hope the city of Sandusky will appreciate with humility the wonderful enterprise you are bringing to the area. I will continue my support thru Patreon. I hope one day to travel to Sandusky, Ohio and sit at the con on the bridge! Live Long and Prosper!
I can't help but feel bitter about the move. I live in Jacksonville Fl. and it was a thirty min drive. I guessing that most of the visitors to Kingland were from Jacksonville. Was Jacksonville even considered for the move. We have our share of empty malls and a large population. So sad.
Great Interview, Thank You !!! And Thank You Sooooooooooooo Much Mr. Ray Tesi !!! Sandusky here we come ! :D
Ray, you and your team have always been a blessing. Wishing you great success on the move.
Glad to hear Neutral Zones Studios is continuing! I grew up with Star Trek and enjoyed Star Trek Continues in California. When I moved to St. Mary's GA. I had no idea I was 15 minutes from where these were filmed! Visited twice with family and was so impressed. I t was like walking into a dream come true. It almost floored me when the doors slide open and we saw the bridge! I guess the show and stories had a big impact on me. Even as an adult it all came back. I'm glad others will continue to have this great experience.
My dear friend Ray, thanks for everything you are doing to keep the studio alive. I, and some other members of my crew, wish we could be closer so we could be there to help with the move both in Ga and in Ohio. However, the moment you declare the studio open some of us are planing to fly there and visit the studio and meet with you and the crew. Some of us are already donating to the studio in a yearly contribution. I will spread the word here to see if I can get more folks to join the donations. For now, we wish you the very best in this gigantic endeavor and, again, or heartfelt gratitude for all you do. Looking forward to seeing you next year. God bless. (from the entire crew of the USS San Juan, NCC-1648, the Puerto Rico chapter of SFI).
Best of luck, Ray. Hope you find great success in Sandusky... we'll miss you down south! So glad we got to visit Neutral Zone last October.
A bit of quick research shows this new location is the former smaller TJ MAXX in THE SANDUSKY MALL (They moved into a larger location on the other side of the mall)...SPIRIT is currently in the space..the mail isn't quite a "dead mall" but is about at 80% occupacy...JC PENNY'S is the anchor. It's across the mail from "Federation Headquarters", a non-proit gift shop for the "International Federation of Trekkers, Inc" fan group - rather important facts left out of the interview...but clearly, they had to be the ones who let Ray know about the space...makes perfect sence, actually.
I had no idea that was where IFT's HQ was located, but that's pretty cool having a new "hub" of Star Trek!
Yup, there's your volunteer security staff, right across way. Hell, more than a few would probably pay Ray for the privilege.
I've been to the Nuetral Zone several times with my daughter while at Kingsland. Always a great time. Although it's a bit further we're still going to make the Trek a couple of times a year. Not just to visit but if they need helpers or extras. Ray has always been a most gracious host
This really saddens me. I had high hopes the Studio would be staying in Fla. even though it will be out of our reach now I will still head over to the Patreon and continue to pray for all those involved. As soon as they get set all those in OHhio need to visit. It is truly a unique experience to have the op to see a real filming set rather than static displays. Much love to you Ray and the crew. I miss you all. GOD Bless you. Live Long and Prosper.
OHIO? That sucks. I'll never get to go again. Oh well, good luck to Ray and the whole crew.
I was lucky enough to get a private tour as well as a Fan Appreciation tour with Vic.
Isn’t Sandusky near Cleveland?
@@lesliedavid1244Yes, it’s between Cleveland and Toledo.
I will them the most!!!! I live in Kingsland, off Clark's Bluff, walking distance from TNZ sets, I would go to all Fan Appreciation weekends!!! Lived my fantasies!!!
Good interview, as always! Selfishly sorry you're relocating up North, but glad you're keeping the dream alive. Thanks Ray!
As a frequent visitor to the Kingsland site, I have to say with much sadness, that I will miss the wonderful labor of love that was The Neutral Zone Studios Georgia. While I understand the reasons for the move, I have to admit that I wished another more local solution could have been found. Since I live in Central Florida, the 2 and a half hour drive was a fun roadtrip to visit every now and then, but now to travel to Ohio would be a major undertaking. Still, I look forward to travelling to Sandusky to visit the studio once it is up and running. Good luck Ray in this new location and I wish it all the best.
thank you Ray! I hope to get there one day
0:00 Introduction and Welcome
1:28 Ray bought the sets in 2018
2:05 What went wrong with our building
2:45 Problems from the eggroll factory we shared the building with
4:34 The owner wants to sell because the building is in disrepair
5:19 No A/C, No Parking lot - both fixed in the new location
7:16 Announcement of Sandusky Ohio as the destination
7:54 Ray is based in Boca Raton Florida
8:25 How they chose Sandusky
9:25 Ray's decision process to chose a new location
11:20 Location requirements (commercial, 12000 sq ft)
14:27 Tell us about Sandusky
16:30 Attractions nearby Sandusky
17:10 Financing the move
17:55 Staffing and hours
19:45 Gary Davis (of Ohio) involvement
20:37 Disassembly and Reassembly and 2 Semi Trucks so far
22:43 Volunteer labor for the move (dozens)
24:40 Ray is camped out in Kirkland
26:08 How long until you reopen in Ohio (early 2025)?
26:50 How many fan films have been made
27:46 New fan films and filming hours
30:00 Will there be new sets?
31:20 Will there be (new) dressing rooms, wardrobe, kitchen, lounge?
33:40 Costs of the move
35:40 Length of the Sandusky Mall Contract
37:00 Producing "Tales of the Neutral Zone" series
42:50 Significant volunteers
46:40 The emotional impact of visiting the sets
47:30 Closest airports (Cleveland or Toledo - 1 hr)
Dang, I would have loved if it had moved to Polk County! I'd go once a month since I live there! Anyway, glad I got to go last year, hope they have great success in Ohio!
so depressing you moved so far, since I live in Kingsland and the sets were a walking distance from my house down Clark's Bluff. Still happy you found a more habitable dock station for the starship. Sandusky, Ohio appears to have a population of 23,957 as of the last census and Kingsland, Georgia 18,300, not a big difference. However, the difference is that Kingsland, Georgia has a pretentious air about its size and importance, there are a lot of nice empty buildings you could have moved to, but local real estate owners think they are worth and arm and a leg. So not true... I hope the city of Sandusky will appreciate with humility the wonderful enterprise you are bringing to the area. I will continue my support thru Patreon. I hope one day to travel to Sandusky, Ohio and sit at the con on the bridge! Live Long and Prosper!
I can't help but feel bitter about the move. I live in Jacksonville Fl. and it was a thirty min drive. I guessing that most of the visitors to Kingland were from Jacksonville. Was Jacksonville even considered for the move. We have our share of empty malls and a large population. So sad.