Writer, actress and independent filmmaker Nsenga Wilson had a dream of opening a creative site in the south suburbs to help nurture talent and fill a void that she became aware of from firsthand experience.
That dream became a reality last month with the opening of her production facility, W.D.P. Creative Collective Space, in South Holland.
Among her target audience are podcasters, independent film makers, artists looking for recording space, video and content creators, producers and directors in need of audition space, and entrepreneurs seeking a setting that inspires collaboration and creativity.
The site includes an acoustically treated, camera-ready podcast lounge equipped with professional microphones and a green screen studio designed for video content, brand shoots and other filming. The green screen studio is a specialized production space that makes it possible to digitally remove the green screen backdrop during editing and replace it with any image or video. It enables subjects to be placed in limitless virtual environments significantly reducing overall production costs.
W.D.P. Creative Collective Space also has a recording studio with microphones headsets, speakers, monitors and access to an in-house sound engineer, conference rooms available for meetings and workshops, and office and desk rental space.
Wilson, who grew up in Glenwood and lives in Lansing, says her mission is “to empower south suburban creators and entrepreneurs by providing professional-grade creative facilities, fostering community collaboration and keeping creative talent and economic activity in our neighborhoods.”
Wilson, who has an MBA in marketing, has performed lead and supporting roles in more than a dozen independent films and shorts. As an independent filmmaker, her script “The Therapist” was selected as a finalist this year in the 6th Edition of the International Black & Diversity Film Festival in Ajax, Ontario in Canada, and her pilot “Sundown Town” was a semifinalist last year in the Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards.
After spending years commuting to Chicago to access professional creative spaces that were expensive and at times having to make do with makeshift set-ups, she said she was driven to create and open the type of professional affordable spaces both she and others needed.
“There are great ideas, great stories. Because we aren’t in Hollywood doesn’t mean our stories don’t deserve to be heard and shown,” Wilson said. “I want people to take advantage of these spaces and not have to pay downtown Chicago rates.”
The business offers memberships and hourly rentals. In its first year, Wilson’s business plan priorities are to grow to 50 active members, average 25 bookings per week across studios and workspaces and host twice monthly workshops to support creator education and skill building.
The plan also calls for building working collaborations with nonprofit organizations, podcast associations, independent filmmakers and content creators to help create consistent revenue and deepen community involvement, she said.
The company’s marketing specialist, Angela Killingsworth-Wilson, who has experience in entertainment, media, event production and business operations including as general manager for “The Les Brown Show,” says W.D.P. Creative Collective Space looks to establish multiple relationships with local colleges. Nsenga Wilson said she wants to provide youth and creative development programming.
The space is designed to create an encouraging, supportive vibe. On the walls, positive affirmations are displayed including “Create Dream Record,” “Let Today Be the Start of Something Beautiful” and “What’s the Best That Can Happen.”
“Having a safe place for people to create is really important because we need to cultivate our creatives,” said the company’s music engineer and producer, who goes by the name Daeski079. He said he has worked with rappers and song writers including Kanye West, King Louie and Chief Keef.
Zernul R. Shackelford Jr., who was the camera man and editor on Wilson’s first independent film, agrees Wilson is filling a need in the south suburbs. He is the founder and operator of Hammond-based digital marketing media production company Darque Syde of D’Lyte Productions.
There are a lot of people trying to create content who don’t have the expertise and or can’t afford their own equipment, Shackelford said.
“This gives them access and opportunity,” he said.
He said he already referred four women to Wilson’s business looking to do podcasts.
“You miss every shot you don’t take,” he said. “This gives people the opportunity to take that shot and figure it out.”
“People are looking to express themselves,” said Shabazz Hameed, the company’s creative director, who has written and directed films with Wilson. “I feel the arts are becoming more popular, and people are tapping into their talent.”
W.D.P. is a creative hub that provides them with access, community and the ability to network, she and Wilson said.
The company, at 502 W. Taft Ave., South Holland, has as its five-year plan to expand within the same commercial space into a small sound stage with a working set for independent film and content production. She also plans to partner with multiple colleges to give students hands-on access to the working set for coursework and training and to pursue government contracts.
She has received business planning technical assistance, marketing support and networking connections from the Southland Development Authority, a Tinley Park-based nonprofit economic development organization, said Marisela Zambrano, strategic solutions director with the authority. Wilson also recently joined the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce in East Hazel Crest.
“This is a really good example of what’s possible when entrepreneurs have access to the right support and they choose to invest in their own community,” Zambrano said.
Jennel Hooper, executive director of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce, said the enterprise reflects the opportunities entrepreneurs have to launch and grow businesses in the south suburbs. She said Wilson can help other emerging entrepreneurs.
“With the emergence of technology and folks moving towards podcasts and digital media, they are providing a resource for folks who might face barriers or challenges,” Hooper said.
Creatives can acquire technical skills and gain access to a team that can help their dreams come to fruition, she said.
“I hope that the next Oprah Winfrey or whomever else, that they start their journey at a space like W.D.P.,” said Hooper. “There’s so much talent in the Southland, so much hidden talent in the Southland. With her new space, hopefully she provides an avenue for folks to exercise their creativity and make those dreams come to life.”
Francine Knowles at Fknowles.writer@gmail.com is a freelance columnist for the Daily Southtown.
