RTA furniture importer Paul Reitzin launches film, photo studio

Avenue Six Studios services Hollywood

Staff Staff -- Furniture Today, August 25, 2008

LOS ANGELES -- In 2005, entrepreneur Paul Reitzin was in need of a studio to shoot visuals for his ready-to-assemble furniture line. Reitzin glanced around the Los Angeles film production landscape, and not impressed by what he saw, thought to himself, "We can do better. We have to do better." In his mind, the task at hand was clear.

Reitzin already had a wealth of experience with startup ventures. He was the founder of Studio RTA, a source of RTA entertainment and office furniture that he sold to Sauder Woodworking in 2003, before launching his latest company, Avenue Six, a producer of upholstery and occasional furniture.

The idea for the photo studio started when Reitzin and partner Steve Harris obtained a prime piece of business-zoned real estate in Los Angeles. The goal at first was simply to keep creative and quality control over the visual images and marketing materials for Avenue Six furniture and the Rezon8 Living retail concept. Blueprinted as a state-of-the-art photography studio to support Reitzin's Avenue Six furniture line and his retail plans, as the process continued, the idea for a larger, more expansive Avenue Six Studios grew.

Today, the 20,000-square-foot facility includes two stages for all types of film production. The facility also boasts several thousand square feet of office and other behind-the-scenes space.

"What we have created is a wonderfully complete and all-new facility for the entertainment industry," said Reitzin, president and CEO of Avenue Six. " I was so frustrated with what was currently available for film and television production in the city, I was sure we could create the best possible facility and one perfectly suited for all types of uses. People love the versatility of this facility."

The New Avenue Six Studio Complex offers one of the industry's most versatile shooting environments, according to Reitzin. Located minutes from Burbank, Hollywood and entertainment giants such as Warner Bros., Raleigh Studios, Universal and Disney, Avenue Six is expertly equipped.

"We have amazing access and we're all new," said Reitzin. "It's a win-win for our current friends in the industry and our new film and television clientele."

Warner Bros. Television's recently used the studio to shoot scenes for an upcoming TV movie pilot for ABC entitled "Captain Cook's Extraordinary Atlas." Avenue Six also was selected by One Stop Productions and ABC for a recent shoot for the hit television series "Lost."

And in keeping with his expertise in the furniture universe, Avenue Six Studios also offers Reitzin's Rezon8 Living inventory as prop rentals. In addition, a growing collection of contemporary and classic retro designs by Avenue Six Furniture are also available to the industry.