New production studio in the works for Riverdale creators
Right now, the unit inside a simple building at 2735 Henry Hudson Parkway is a work in progress. Ripped up carpet reveals cement floors, construction tools are strewn about, drywall patches line the walls and there is even a standalone bathtub in the corner. But in a few months, it will be a decked out production studio.
The Riverdale residents behind it — 28-year-old musician Antoly Rodriguez and 54-year-old celebrity hairstylist William Grusel — say the interior will be filled by a podcast room, a gaming lounge and a content creation area for photographers or artists.
For Rodriguez, who goes by the stage name Toly Rod, the idea was shaped by his own experiences as an artist. The Latin-pop and R&B singer was often looking for sets to shoot his music videos, and felt a need for something more accessible. Studios with the right equipment were pricey, and ones within budget lacked quality.
“People are getting away with these things because there’s a huge demand, but they’re not really offering the best services,” Rod said. “Our space, we want it to be transformable.”
Rod met Grusel a few years ago while the stylist was chopping off a man bun that “needed to go.” They clicked instantly. Also a seasoned photographer, Grusel offered to help Rod with his social media content.
The musician described Grusel as an older brother figure. Though Grusel has two teenage kids of his own, he always made time to help Rod shoot content, helping him gain followers.
“He believed in my project as soon as we met, and said ‘Bro, I’ll help you. I’m not gonna charge you. Don’t worry,’” Rod said. “I’ve never run into somebody like that, even my closest people.”
From there, their collaboration grew, and when Rod shared his idea for TR Production Studios about six months ago, the pieces started coming together.
Right away, Grusel approached Rod with a strategy. They reached out to landlords, secured a unit, sourced investors and started building, all made easier by Grusel’s background owning hair salons in Manhattan. The vision was ambitious but clear — a space that is as sleek and practical as it is a sense of community.
“I’ve been an artist my whole life, so has [Rod],” Grusel said. “We’re putting all our passions, our knowledge and creativity into this,”
Corners will be designed for photoshoots or movie scenes, letting creators “look like they’re on an airplane, but they’re in a studio,” Grusel explained. But they’re adding a stage for small live-music or poetry performances as well, and imagine the gaming lounge could also serve as a venue for tournaments.
The team aims to provide a creative site that is closer to home for residents, as well as a place for newcomers to expand their hobbies with equipment already provided for them.
“If you ever wanted to start that podcast that you thought about and didn’t know how to, now you do,” Rod said. “If you want to do a photoshoot for the holidays, your family, a baby … you don’t have to go into the city.”
With a swarm of ideas buzzing between them, the two artists are focused on the future, and eager to open the space to the public as soon as possible.
“That’s our next move,” Grusel said. “Continue growing, continue building and just keep going as long as we can. I think we can go real far.”
