This one is quite different, entirely!
LAAAAAND.
We’re exploring lots of different options, and in this case we’re looking at the prospect of just buying land and building from the ground up. This comes with a lot of perks in terms of choosing every last little detail! But the bigger con to this option is time – we would be a few years away from even stepping foot inside.
What are your thoughts on land vs. existing building?
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Happy new year Adventurers! Welcome to the first blog update of 2023. Things are well underway now, with the Green Screen construction beginning TODAY! We…
Hey wonderful backers! The studio is moving along SO quickly now - we can barely keep up. Every time we visit, something major has changed.…
Long time to build plus extra cost in the current environment – I have a project at present that is 6 months late due to the supply issues……
Hahah art department relegated to the ditch. ROOD. These updates have been great!
Where’s that, looks like north Auckland, Silverdale way…? You just might get some free labour from me if you head up this way…
Go for the land! Y’all are already putting out amazing content with what y’all have on hand so building something completely custom to call y’all’s own… well there’s just nothing more exciting than that!
The way I see it is that if you choose to buy an already existing building you would be just settling on something which may not be a bad compromise. You can always make an existing building your own.
But with a lot you can design your own place with no compromise. But as you said it would take significantly more time and you guys would have to wait years before you see a return on your investments. It’s a lot of risk involved and larger margin for error. And after all that are you sure the return would be worth it? It’s a big decision.
Building does have its benefits but a its own set of issues as well. It’s nice to build out your vision first time out but ultimately it comes down to a lot of the added issues (permits, utilities, contractors, resource costs, etc.) I’ve never built from the ground up but am currently renovating a 1955 house which requires rewiring, insulation, repipe, rebuild of the fireplace and chimney, etc. and that in itself has been a ‘journey’ for lack of a better 4 letter word. Definitely enjoying being along for the ride as you check out potential spots!
Your studio should be like your videos: quality over quantity. Spend the time and money and make it the way you want it from the beginning.
Think of the time and effort it would take to find a new location, get it the way you want it and then have to move all over again.
As much as I think we’d all love to see the sets and offices up and running quickly… this is a big deal, one that will set your course for years to come. Starting from scratch with an empty plot of land gives you the ability to get things right the first time (and, as you mentioned, expand in the future without having to look at moving again). As long as we get an awesome build series, I’m down for this! 🙂
Laaaaaaanddd
Definitely not this one! Taking YEARS to get ready? Not worth it.
I’ve never heard of a house being built on time or on budget, but who knows, maybe huge studio spaces are different? I would play it safe and expand on an existing space instead of breaking ground on something brand new.
Actually, another thought, I’ve built a VR tool that you could use to quickly build out stuido layouts then you can walk around in 3D (headset or on PC), it wouldn’t take too much for you guys to play with it, it could really help get a feel for a space.
So far, I like the HUGE site from Blog #3.
I know it would take renovation, but you don’t have to do it all at once, and think of all the possibilities of filming *while* renovating.
Land is nice, but the cost of building what you want versus having space already built and renovating it will probably shake out the same but the renovation would be way quicker. *possibly*
I’m in America and not in touch with how fast the Kiwis get things done.
Just my 2 copper, fwiw.
Cheers, guys, and very best to you all!
Kindest regards,
Ricki
That first property looks like the best one. Spacious with lots of rooms for for different shows
Go for existing and make it what you want!
Another benefit to the Land option might be some outdoor space to do some PUBG and/or epic npc outdoor scenes before construction gets underway.
The poor art Department lol
The miming skills are top notch!
Land could be cool but the Last building was vers cool too but witch one would cost the most?
Building from scratch would be very exciting for sure! It is definitely difficult to balance that (along with coping in a temporary space) against being fully operational sooner. I look forward to hearing more discussion about that!
I kinda like the idea of building from scratch. Honestly, I don’t really care how long it takes as I’m here till the end. I feel the buildings that you have looked at would be squeezing your ambitions and at best would be a temporary space instead of a permanent home. As much as you want it to be perfect we do too! Good luck guys!
It’s tempting, very tempting to just get the land and build your own on top — you can really tailor every detail to your needs. However, it also means that you need to take care of every one of those little details, even ones you don’t want to care about (pipes and other utilities running through the property, rain/infiltration issues, connections to electricity/Internet/etc., terrain levelling as you already noted). From experience, it takes a *lot* more time to get something built from the ground-up, plus it will most certainly exceed any budget you start with (including the padding you add; and including the extra padding you were just contemplating). You should be quite certain that this is that “forever place”, as it’ll be a serious investment…
I very much agree with this! Well said. Personally, I’d go for #1 or #3. #3 needs renovation, but that can be like an ongoing project, floor-by-floor, etc. It has amazing amount of space, especially the warehouse. You could do magic there. #1 is nice new and clean, probably would be the fastest to set up and start running. It is hard to compare from just a short video, so I don’t know how much the space differs. If #1 is big enough (at least close to #3), it might be the best option for you.
Yeah I agree the 1st place is big enough for the tavern at least and the castle set I don’t think the 3place is big enough for the tavern or castle set sure bored it’s is perfect but I skeptical about the height where the sets are gonna be like the tavern and the castle sets plus dungeon set
It’s important to be able to frolic when the need arises.
Modular build wouldn’t take long at all and expand as you grow.
If you can build that is always the best option, however, as you mention it will be a few years before you can start using the space. With the supply chain issues in the world, it might be more costly and time consuming to build too.
It’s great you guys have options. I would think the giant one is the best so far depending on safety inspections and renovation cost.
How is the Auckland film industry? The idea of being able to sell your studio for a good price As A Studio, makes the existing building more enticing.
When it came time to expand again, you’d have the soft transition option of using the studio as collateral, and paying down the mortgage on the custom build when you were both ready to move, and got a good price. Tricky maybe, but you wouldn’t have to be worried about being homeless for years to come.
Also, what are the coffee shops like near the existing building? Never underestimate the value of third party infrastructure. After all, the cookie saga on Bored wouldn’t have happened without a nearby Subway, and you filmed Bored and Buffed Up Gamers on the same day sometimes, yeah?
A handy place to grab coffee and lunch is key. Probably also a craft/fabric supplies store and a hardware/electrical store? You probably already know your regular third party requirements. Make sure they’re handy.
Don’t make your regular workplace as inconvenient and difficult to cover emergencies for as shooting on location is.
We’ll they do say buy Land as they are not making anymore of it and its a very good long term investment and you could have exactly want Studio you want. But I can see the downside that its pushes the end result of having a amazing working studio out a few years. I say go with the land option and have a interim place to work from until the New studio is build. Also working in that interim place would help you with ideas for layout of the Finial Purpose Build studio. Anyway guys good luck in your search. So look forward to seeing what comings next.
Y’all will make the right call, and if that means we’re waiting on the kickstarter goodies, then we wait. The end goal is y’all are putting your time and energy into creativity and production instead of so much logistics.
Lots of factors, but land with the ability to customize the build and grow in the future sounds pretty great. You’ll just want to keep an eye on finances as jobs can sometimes get bigger than expected quickly. That likely goes for customizing a building too though. Really excited for you all!
Tough decisions. Proud of you.
With increased materials cost you might wanna go existing building. Not sure what it’s like in NZ, but in Australia we saw a minimum 20% increase in the last 6 months for a construction project the company I work for is building.
Land is just dirt. Dirt for the Dirt League?
Looking forward to see what you end up choosing 😃
There is space for the sheep to run amok!
Ultimatly its on which would fit the budget and bear the most fruit. The years would pass quickly if you are building your own studio, you would be building EXACTLY what you want the way you want it. Which in turn means more adaptive input as the years went on to account for the changing of requirements and needs. This would be the safest, most efficent way to go unless you magically found an amazing deal and perfect already built place. However, it also means the hype would die down, everything would be posponed, and you would need to push on with your current limitations.
Personally, i vote building your own building from scratch. Long term, specialized, safe call.
lol poor Arts
My thoughts. I like the land idea. Future proofing as you were saying. Some of the drawbacks would be the time for it to get up and running and the costs associated with new builds. Prices for building materials have gone crazy (GIB/Structural steel/timber etc). Delays in tradies/builders being available etc. May reduce what you can get currently based upon budget. Pros obviously you can design the structures to exact specs that you want, with room to grow. Also the buildings will be built to modern standards, more energy efficient etc and potentially better lighting/sound proofing. If you aren’t in a rush, get the land! If you want to get up and running faster, I’m suggesting the first studio you showed in the blog #1.
If sticks-up construction in NZ is anything like the US, costs have skyrocketed, supply chain is whack, and permitting…oh, the permitting! Don’t do this to yourselves. Save your energy for production of content, not building a box.
Here in the States at least, the idea of building from the ground up can ultimately be cheaper. You get more for the price, but as pointed out, it takes some time to build. I’m sure you will be consulting and doing measurements of land size vs envisioned buildings. The open land is definitely long term, you develop how you want and as you need, just be sure there will be room left over after your initial plans, otherwise you just box yourself in anyways haha. Best of luck, can’t wait to see more ahead.
Find land that can double use for outside sets aswell.
If you guys are going for land I would advise to also check if you have nice outdoor environment that could be naturally used as a set 😉
Would be interesting to know how much bigger the land is than the various buildings.
Building from scratch would be great, so long as you have clear plans for each stage of the development (so you don’t find down the road that you have put something in the wrong place, preventing something else from being built).
If it weren’t for the current building and supply chain issues in NZ I would say land would be a great idea, but with the current supply and labour issues, it could cause excessive delays.
I like the idea of building your own studio from zero. For some reason I’m imagining a medieval castle on the outside with modern offices inside 😀
Go for the land! Do it your way, right from the start.
The idea of building what you need is definently a tempting option. The downside is building can be a very delicate balance, its not hard to fall behind schedule or go over budget. Thats a risk of renovating as well
Honestly I really like the idea of buying land and building from the ground up. Maybe not this area exactly lol. I thought the location in Blog # 1 was absolutely beautiful for something early on. I think keep looking alot and if you all can’t decide you could always use the buildings you liked as a basis, buy land, and use your likes to build the place of your dreams. Kind of like a forever home.
Oh my…. Definitely building something from scratch exactly the way you want it is veeeeeeery tempting. But as you said, it would take years before you even can move in. And with the current situation with supplies it could even take much longer and be much more expensive in the end.
I would say go for a building. The one from Blog #1 is so far my favorite, although #3 is also very tempting, however due to the needed renovations could cost even more in the end.
And as for the land and building your own dream studio from scratch – that is always an option, but it is always better to build your own dream while you have a space to call home, than to build your dream while you´re “homeless”. You can get a building, maybe fix it up a bit, build your studios there and later get a piece of land and slowly paying off the mortgage and build your dream.
I am definitely excited to follow you on your journey!
Hiya,
Four excellent options, good to see the cons listed clearly.
Are you guys getting any industry (media/production) advice to help along the decisions to be made here?
Maybe your experiences working for or with other companies and their spaces?
BVL could be a good source as he’s “been around” and maybe knows your vision?
Keeping the hearts of some backers in its you on a multi-year build may be tricky. If it overruns you’ll need further backing which could cause further friction with the original backers.
But that’s being negative.
Four nice updates, thanks.
Keep it real,
—Harlekwin
◥ ◤
Hmm, not really feeling the land idea personally…I selfishly don’t want to wait years to see the finished product! 😀 I think go for the building in Blog 3, and perhaps further down the road think about the land idea, as someone else said you may get a great profit on your developed studio building, and things would move a lot faster short to mid term…
Out of the four that we’ve seen, I definitely think that the Northside Drive location has the most promise. It looks to be a good mix of size, and cost. Since it’s brand new, why bother building your own when you have a sparkly clean office space ready to go? I’m with Adam, “Daddy please? Can we get it, can we get it?”
Option 1 *looks just like* your drawings for the kickstarter, but the road out front sounds a bit noisy. Warehouse space is adequate but not to die for.
Option 2 didn’t really excite me. The space for the sets is cramped and might lead to needing to change out sets all the time, which is rough on you and them.
Option 3 is *huge*! Plenty of room to build good-sized sets and leave them up all the time – maybe even additional future sets not yet contemplated! There is the possibility of renovating just the Bored, some office, and warehouse set space first and built out the rest as needed. But you would want to be sure everything is safe and up to code first, and there is the expense of removing some of what is there now, before you can customize it.
Option 4 allows you to build just what you want but it will take longer. And, with the world’s current supply chain issues, it will probably cost more & take longer than projected. And that means temporary spaces till you get something usable. But, you could make it exactly as you want in what seems a quieter location than option 1, without the renovation costs of option 3. And it looks like there is enough land there for future expansion when that time comes.
Ultimately it is up to you guys but more space is better, in my opinion. Option 3 could give you that space if you do basic renovations first but don’t build out the whole space until you need it. Or, you could build your project in sections with Option 4. (Note construction on any expansions will have to be halted on filming days.) I think Option 2 is too small and Option 1 on too noisy a street. If you decide to further explore Option 3, take the time to have thorough structural and systems inspections (utilities and such) before closing on the purchase.
I don’t know how it is in Nieuw Zeeland, but the costs of building new buildings in materials and labor , here in the Netherlands, has almost doubled since COVID .
So although future proof, it might not be cost effective in the current economical conditions….
If you’re feel up to the additional challenges involved in building from scratch then I think it’s the best option. Being in complete control has got to be better than trying to squeeze into something that’s not quite right (although you sounded pretty optimistic about the first one). You’d definitely want to do your research first though on what to expect during the building process.
I agree that building new stuff will delay the offices by a lot.
But the “unusable space” could be a nice pool that you wouldn’t have to dig out so much 😛
I hope you know guys that building something is very expensive, especialy in these turbulent times. I would think about this option only if all the other options are properly bad.
Forget the set, buy the land and build an actual castle!
compromise. usually a dirty word BUT:
pre built space gives you quicker dream realisation.
as its all about “interiors” anyway, prebuilt makes more sense
Whatever you decide you will make “your own” anyway, building from scratch and you would still be renting and SUPER compromising.
Thoughts: The older space in blog 3 looks impressive and if the studio space is fitted out and running, you could renovate the office space after – they’re dingy but usable for now. Concerns would be hidden costs – earthquake strengthening, any hidden plumbing issues or leaky building problems.
New spaces are exciting and customisable, but the downside is the variable cost of materials, lead-in time for plans and building consents. If there’s a similar new build that you’ve seen but is bought/leased/unsuitable, could the same architect use elements of that design to cut down on time? And as pointed out – perhaps design a full building but design it to be built in two stages – one now and a future extension.
I’d really love to see a new build for so many reasons, but what is the risk profile of a new build vs. used with renovations? Also, if you plan to lease studios in your downtime for income – which location and studio is more attractive to the Auckland film industry would generate income more quickly? For both options, I’d be checking in with engineers, builders, etc to see what their availability is. I work in civil engineering (but we do bridges and roads, not buildings, so can’t help there) and everybody is backlogged and busy and waiting for the borders to fully open to get more staff to replace those fleeing to Australia. That wait time on different resources, physical and human, may help drive an answer.
Also, if you guys ever need a property title or want to see a survey plan to see the extents, I can offer help there. I can even turn up with the survey equipment to find boundary corners. In the end, either way you choose, built or bought, is bound to be exciting and I’m looking forward to watching this come together!
I’d go with option #1 or #3. #1 as I have mentioned is my favorite, but I do think renovating what already exists is far better than from ground up with the costs and time needed to even begin to see returns on investments. Now time will be spent no matter what, but I think it might be a good idea to pick 1 or 3 based on what you need most.
If you want the loads of potential, and truly a forever space, go with #3. If you want to be able to do content faster and not need to do as much work, go with #1. If you do want to make every little detail…despite cost and time, then this would work. But there’s a lot of costs that will come about. Especially with costs of today rising. So beware and make the right choice based on what you want to do.
No matter what, you will make whatever place you use, an awesome fun place to be! Cheers!
I think a ground up build will throw you up a lot more problems than it solves. In theory you get to build exactly the space you need, but in reality you can make pretty much any of the sites you’ve seen work – and then knock down walls or build walls to change them for your needs. So a ground up really gives you headaches and a timesink.
I’d go with the first building. It has lots of space. You can add as many offices as needed. It has enough space for your sets and storage rooms too. Buying a land for a completely new building will take too much time in my opinion.
Building from scratch is good in theory but with it comes the increased stress, possible higher cost and a longer wait time to actually have your own studio. The one in the third update was huge and you could look into modifying the layout through renovation.
the land includes the trees ? you can film like you are in a forest hehehe
I think it stands between option #3 and this land and my gut feeling draws me towards the option #3.
The reason for this is the uncertainty in building from the ground up.
I have been part of 2 different build projects and the time you need to invest in doing this is huge ..one thing is that it will be a long while before you can use it but also the time spent on building this will retract from the time you love to do. Please do not underestimate how much time building from the ground up will take out of your time to be creative. It is a full-time job to build new for a much longer time than renovating a existing location.
Choosing an existing building would give you more time to do what you really want and it will be useable very quickly.
As the nature of what you want to do will change over time I do not think you can make the “perfect” location anyway and you will find out after a while that the new place is still lacking something you didn’t foresee.
If the budget can cover the cost involved in this, i would also prefer land. You can have designers design the place for the various set and building to the way you want it rather than confined to a fixed space that you will need adjust your design and vision to fit the spaces.
Sure it may take time, but focusing 1 section or set at a time, you may complete and improve 1 by 1 show sooner. The open area also allows for you guys to do various acts on it. A camping trip in epic npc man, campfires, pubg skits, bored outdoor planned vacation. You guys been doing these for years, there are so many ideas that can come to mind n rather than let things limit the potential, you could start out this land n progress the way you want and grow bigger over the years.
Gotta say – you checking out plots of land makes me excited beyond measure. I hope you find a perfect one!
Land may be the best option for longevity, being able to build another stage as you grow is always a great option. The first one you posted looked as though it’d be a good set up but very limiting in what you could do, and the third option has a lot of potential, but with sound proofing the warehouse in particular you’d lost a lot of space.
Always remember the Achilles heel of most studio spaces is the height, needs to be high enough to be able to fit in a lighting and rigging gantry and still have plenty of space for set builds and potential tower cam or crane moves, can also be a major selling point if you ever want to move on from the studio.
Either way, in it for the long haul, absolutely love the content and wish nothing but the best of luck to the whole Viva Sqaud
Go for the land, if the costing is OK. It gives you all the space you would ever need and, more importantly, you can build the exact studio you want, rather than working around existing problems in other buildings.
Tough choice! The land option would give you the possibility of creating your own perfect studio paradise. The risk is longer time and the usual “over budget” gremlins that seem to creep up on projects such as these, but the end result can be Phenomenal. I say, go for your dream and don’t settle. You guys deserve it. Look how far you have come by taking those leaps of faith. Why stop now? :o)
I mean to have it built up from the ground up is great and all but there is nothing wrong woth remodeling, adding on, and making the changes you see too either.
I love the idea of building it from scratch but I concur with what everyone is saying It will take years, there is probably some economic setbacks along that road and also the issue with supplies..
With that in mind I would suggeat #3 building. It has some great opportunities and why not include some renovating into the bored episodes 🙂
Definitely a worthwhile option. Or you could buy an “Office building” that has land for building your own warehouse.
Maybe even check out an old military hangar where you would have all the space you could want. I can’t wait to see what you decide on.
Difficult choice. The older building in blog #3 is great if the structure, plumbing, wiring, etc. are already sound. You have to renovate regardless to fit the needs of the business model and design vision so something not so shiny and new makes it easier to put a sludge hammer to a wall… however, the land option provides some other opportunities beyond indoor space such as local outdoor filming space. Building ground up is risky and as others are saying likely will have increased costs and time to delivery in today’s market. Also, need to take into consideration what are the offsets of the sacrifices? Are you needing to have other offsite offices, storage, etc. to compensate for the smaller incremental space?
To me, this is a no brainer. Building and maintaining a facility requires special expertise, and it is more efficient on a large scale. Managing a building project is also very difficult. Costs can very easily go through the roof, and even if it is done, you still have to worry about keeping the condition of the building.
I think it is very unlikely you cannot find a place which can accomodate your realistic expecations.
I’ve always thought buying is the best option. You could build a fairly large office space and then put up two or three large pole buildings for studio space including the Bored set. The issue would be the price of construction is probably sky rocketing right now and it would take longer to get something built probably
I watched now all the videos and the only thing, I would not take is 2 with the strange building shape. Rest can be going well, I think. The very old building that is huge, is really also about how good electric is and wifi connection etc. The modern one from 1 looks also promising and I think there everything is Brand New and up to date. The Land part is a dream build up of course and all your ideas can come to live, but because it is so crazy in the world with metal and wood prices, you should check that one out carefully. Of course, no idea how much it effects NZ. In EU everything got massifly expensive. Also check how good an internet connection is, that they can give you there. But I have no doubt that you 3 will do what is feeling right for you and I don’t mind, if the Plan for finishing takes longer than thought. Will stay a devoted Fan. Wish you all the best. You guys helped me true difficult Times and I believe in you 3.
Building from scratch is such an exciting notion, but definitely do A LOT of research on contractors and architects first. Your bank may have a list of trusted contractors for you to utilize as well. Builds always always take longer than you think, and always always cost more than you think. Good luck!
Buying land you just quintupled your start-up costs.
Time is obviously the down side. Having extra land available around the studio for any outside filming needs is a big plus though.
I agree with a lot the post. With land you can make it your own, But with an existing property you could get underway a lot faster. In the end it’s your guises decision what works best for you if you want to get into a space and start making videos and have a place to work in you should go with choice number three that big space, it may cost a lot to renovate but like some of the other post said it would cost more to build from the ground up and move the lands and reshape the lands to what you need to be in order to even start. But like I said whatever you guys decide I know all of us will be behind you.
Down there is where you put the pool. Gives you extra height from jumping off the roof into it. Seriously though, I think building your own place would be a next stage sort of thing once you’re already established as a media powerhouse and have a much higher budget and steady income to hold you over as it’s being built.
Ok, out of the gate I love the idea of building. You can get something small rigth now, but have room to build into tomorrow. This is, generally speaking, the dream of building. I am sure you are looking into the costs of each option, so if you think that you have the float to build, then by all means that would be the direction to take. Otherwise, still a big fan of the location in blog post #3. Can’t wait to see where you gus go with this! 😀
Being able to own your own land and be able to built to your vision does have its perks, but it also comes down on considering what your short-term and long-term goals will be for your studio’s future. Perhaps it may be great to build on your own land, but how will it affect your current momentum and how do you plan to keep the momentum going forward if you opt for this option over a site that is already built?
The 3rd site does have potential for the great open space, but I think that the renovations may be more expensive than expected. The 1st site seems like a best fit since it has a lot of room for adjustment without major renovations and the space may be more beneficial than the other 2 so far. The 2nd just doesn’t hold up for me, its not bad but it just doesn’t click with me.
Are building prices crazy down under too?
I’d go for one of the other places, the big one looks nice and you don’t have to renovate all at the same time. You could do it in chunks to save money upfront.
I am still pretty partial to option #1, but if you can’t get exactly what you want and feel it’s worth the wait and the gamble on the supply/demand costs that have fluctuated so much, then building is truly the way to go. You just won’t be able to move in until it’s entirely all done, because otherwise, you’d be stuck with potential for noise pollution during filming sets while crews are building another section to your place.
Definitely a lot of potential with land …. lot to do though. Loving these updates. Thanks 🙂
While a parcel of land would come with a lot of added costs, both financially and time wise, it is the best way to ensure you get not just what you need, but what you want. With all the other locations, there will ultimately be compromises, because you are trying to fit your vision into the preexisting space. A bit like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Why bother with that, when you can just build your own square hole. =D
It would obviously be a lot further out in terms of usability, but a studio like this is an investment. You don’t want to have to be changing studios again in 4-5 years because your business outgrows the preexisting one you picked. And you definitely don’t want to compromise your business goals/dreams because the space you have can’t accommodate them. With something on this scale, it falls to the old saying: something worth doing, is worth doing right.
In my opinion, building from the ground up is the best option for a permanent VLDL space, one that is yours, exactly how you want it, with room still to grow!
You should get some early quotes on building exactly what you need today and see how it compares to buying a currently built.
Might want to try to find a t obe finished space? Something that was partially constructed?
My advice is that whatever you choose be careful about the law for paying contractors. I know someone in the US, who paid a main contractor for the work, who was supposed to pay the subcontractors, but kept the money and declared bankrupt. The business owner was on still on the hook to pay the subcontractors. I don’t know how it is in NZ, but the lesson in the US is to always pay the subcontractors directly. If anyone from NZ has some advice for VLDL on the legal side of buying/leasing a building or land, please post it. We all want these guys to have a good expansion experience and make great entertainment for many years to come.
In order to get what you really, really want, you need to buy the land and build. But the downside of that is Cheop’s Law, known since the earliest civilizations: It always takes longer and costs more than the original estimate. Still, I would love to see you build exactly what you want, with the possibility of expanding. On the other hand, that would still require you to lease temporary space while building goes on.
Of the existing buildings so far, I think #3 might be best. It is large enough for your present needs, and even though it needs significant remodeling (and who knows what other problems will surface during that), you could that in stages, doing the green screen and other “warehouse” spaces first, and working your way up through the building as time and money permit.
So far from the 4 videos I like the first one a lot, seems like everything you need/want. The renovator looks good but again you might have a problem with too much cost in renovating. The land is also very good with all the benefits down to your every need but with the time building component would be long and hard.
Number 1 is still my number 1 choice, with number 4 being a close second. Can’t wait to see what other options y’all find!
How many acres is it? Does AUS measure land in acres?
Just having finished renovating my own house, I don’t think that building a new studio is the best path. At least consider that the estimates you get might be off by a factor of two. At least here in germany I faced a one-year-stop because someone threw some bureaucracy at us.
My guess would be, if you – let’s say – consider 3 years of building, better calculate with 5-6 years. And in my opinion that’s not worth it.
If you find a place with laaaand AND a building 😀
I think purchasing of land is something you could consider after your first successful studio.
It could pay off in the long run or with the current inflation you could suddenly find yourself out of pocket.
My personal vote is a pre built, but if you go for the land you have my support 🙂
Add a few slides to the art department and you’ve got yourself a VLDL Google resort! Loving these mini updates guys, can’t wait to see what’s coming next!
I’m currently looking at options 1, 3, and 4. The building in blog 2 may have the office space you need but limits you for sets. Large open areas can be turned into nice office areas or any sets that you like. The option of building from scratch needs to be weight against the cost as it will need to be done by professionals while some renovations can be done by volunteers.
My family and many others helped in renovating an old warehouse/office building into a elementary/middle school. The reason for building this new school was because the current option had spent so much on building a new building that they did not have enough books for kids to take home for “homework”. The upper floors of the warehouse had wide open areas that we built walls in to create the classrooms. Not sure when renovations started, I just remember helping in the summer then that being my school when summer was over.
You already have a lot of your props and stuff so maybe your good with building from scratch on the land. Get estimates on the cost and time for everything to add to the pros and cons list. What must you have and what is not worth the effort/cost.
So far blog#3 has been my favorite. Depending on cost of course.
Agree
You guys are going to succeed to the moon and back on your videos and content no matter where you decide to call home whether it be a space revamp or new build it will all turn out so awesome! I can bet on it! 😎 I have wanted to be apart of something like this for years now and I’m going to throw this out there, I have tons of remodel and building maintenance experience so if you ever need a hand or advice on a new building just shoot me a msg, I’d love to come work and help you guys out!
Something that is not clear so far; is the land the only option so far that is a true purchase? And the other three are leases? The one you will own is the better choice, and if all are available to own I vote the large place (blog #3) that needs finishing over the land.
I don’t know how supply situation is in NZ but people building here in the States have had to backorder a lot of things like doors and windows, which adds several months to the timing of a build. Still, if you got orders in relatively early it might work out . Definitely better to have EXACTLY what you want from the start. But the time/availability of supplies and labor could be a deal breaker. Lots for you to consider!
Perk of buying land. You can do whatever you want to it, within reason haha. Negative is it takes a lot longer then a preestablished space. But land has a lot of potential! Whatever works best. Feel sorry for the art department all the way down there
My sister went with land. Riiiiiiight before the pandemic hit. Her house has now cost double what it should have to build. Building materials aren’t going down in price anytime soon so… As much as I want to see you build your way and in your location, I think it’s a rather large risk. Also, Rowan with the mime skills! WTF?
If you can find a building that checks all the boxes, is easy to upgrade/repair, and is in a stable area with long term resale value, then the easy and obvious option is to buy already built. However, the price of land never decreases (historically) and out of all of my projects, despite the headaches and costs, I’ve always been 1000 times happier buying land and building myself. There is no comparison. Also, by the time you dig out your footing and level the area for the building, you will have more than enough dirt to fill in the drainage ditch in the back–however, I strongly recommend you revisit that land immediately after a major rain storm so you can see the natural flow of water and drainage on the property. Could be that ditch is worth more than you think. Also, all true Castles have moats.
Would you be eligible for local / state/ federal grants to build (new business and all that jazz)?
Perhaps some post-covid help / assistance to help create new jobs?
Go for it guys, this way you own everything and aren’t reliant on others and their whims.
You know what’s great about buying land? You’re buying neighbors too, or more specifically, the lack of neighbors. It would really suck to move into an existing commercial area, renovate the entire building to your specs, and suddenly new neighbors show up with forges and giant power hammers to make lug nuts for cars. Now you’ve got a virtually unusable studio, and the renovations you’ve done are no longer worth anything to someone interested in buying a studio. If you bought land in an area you know won’t be overwhelmed with noisy neighbors, you won’t have to deal with that aspect in the future.
I’ve seen massive buildings go up here in the states within a matter of months, and metal warehouses in as little as two weeks after breaking ground in areas that aren’t overly restricted. So…it’s possible, perhaps not feasible over there, but worth checking to see if there’s a particular type of building or company that could have you in a brand new studio within a year. Interior construction could be phased in order to allow the use of part of the building for storage and filming on the weekend until the entire thing is done.
It’s still a bit of a tossup between land and #3 though, with budget and timeframe being the biggest factors.
I think the land idea is nice and has its unique (and very tempting) vision, but it’s a long, long and very expensive process with so many difficulties, obstacles and delays on the way…
I would go for a huge existing option #3, would make a great studio with all is needed in it, and maybe in a 5-6 years time (or more), when (and if) this studio is prosperous and makes income from filming your productions and letting other successful creators to hire some space too (of course, letting young talented ones to use it free, like Adam well said), only then I’d buy the land to expand maybe, to build the second studio unit or to change the studio location, if the new one is bigger and better. Plus maybe the experience of using and rebuilding the existing place for some years will help you to know and visualize even more clearly what and how you want to be in your studio.
Of course, maybe we haven’s seen all the options yet, maybe there’s something better than the #3 place…
The issue with all the building you’ve looked at are that you’re having to settle for what’s there. You don’t have to settle when you can make the perfect for you guys. What you do is unique and it requires a unique setup. Buying land you could some day have the Viva La Dirt League Campus!
Renovation can become a long, drawn-out money pit very quickly, between fixing problems, bringing things up to code, and tailoring the space to your needs. I think this land, and building as you go, is the better long-term option!
Given how build times have blown out ridiculously due to supply issues…would it even get built?
For that unused space, you could use it as a tower of sorts, see about if you can clear the land a bit behind to allow more space of filming, just because its non buildable land, doesnt mean you cant use it in some fashion. You could even build it up with dirt to get it more level and do a concrete boundary on it to prevent it from eroding, yeah it may look weird, but the trees behind it im sure are fine with how youd make it.
You are correct it would ultimately push back content with land, but i dont think fans would have gotten you to 2.5M if we werent wanting decent, quality content that you were happy with. I’ve always been a fan of building from the ground up, but you can make a basic style building to produce limited content, while other sections are being built to expand out with what you will be doing. The options are ultimately endless with land(until you are out of land)
I would get the land. don’t have to deal with rent or a landlord
I think freedom to do what you need to do over time is best. I vote land. Also, I see potential for a king of the hill contest, just saying.
Land would be a way to ensure you have space for Honeywood as well as customizable studios.
If you can find a building that fits >90% with not too much investment in renovating then definitely go for the ready building. The risk, time and cost of building your own is significant. Plus, you may design something that you find awesome now but realise later that your needs have changed and you could have gone with remodeling an existing building in much less time and cost.
This Is what I thought you meant on Kickstarter in the first place by “exlploring potential sites”.
Hell, you can put the pool down the bank. 😀
So far, I like the HUGE site from Blog #3 but issues of opening a can of worms revealing new Compliance building issues/fixes and also the distance from home-work is another issue to think over. However, building everything you require from scratch is a great idea so long as everyone is happy going with the current setup for the foreseeable future.
Sounds exciting with lots of possibilities! But it feels risky (big one) and feel like might get out of hand easily when something gone wrong during the process…
I think land is really the way to go! Make exactly what you want now and have the extra room to grow and expand as you need! A building already built is nice for getting in faster, but then you’re stuck with what someone else needed, not what you need or want. The content you are already putting out is great, I think it can wait the time to build something that’s perfect for you!
Yes, LAND to BUILD!. Also make future prospects of making a moat xD around a castle
Of the options thus far I would say land, and the location that has “potential”. ‘Land’ is obvious in that you can get exactly what you want. The huge site with potential gives you room and you can morph spaces into what you need. As you’ve already said, it boils down to time, expense, and looking at the big picture in both cases. What’s more comfortable over all in achieving your vision? You got this! It’s all so exciting! Thanks for including us! <3<3<3
Go for the land guys! You don’t have to build everything at once, you can go for the essentials fisrt or what you consider you need the most to start working as soon as possible. The feeling of having something taht you made it from scratch the way you want is something else.
Nah, i don’t like the land idea much guys, it would take ages to finish what you are planning for and i don’t think your audience will have so much patience to be honest 😛
When my sister and I built our business we went from the ground up. Lots of planning, lots of set-backs, but entirely worth it in the end.
Constructing a new building is an amazing fun experience. I never ever want to do it again.
The amount of detail that goes into the process is insane. It also takes a lot of time. If you want it done right, you need to be a part of the entire process. You will be adding a part-time to a full-time job on top of your normal duties. The construction company was great, so it wasn’t bad just exhausting and we had no personal lives for about six months. Ten years later we built an expansion. The new construction company was not great. You can have wonderful experiences or terrible ones. Do your research before hiring anyone.
Place from third blog looks to be the best for a middle step option. Potential is great. I would say renovating isn’t as good as new construction, but it also isn’t as bad. First place you looked at appears to be more ready to go but I think you would outgrow it quickly.
Good luck!
So far I’d go for the building in blog 3 which requires renovation (cost + renovation cost depending).
Advantage is that the space seems large enough, no need to move in a couple of years when space runs out. Renovation can be done step by step according to budget and should take less time than a completely new building. The downside of renovating an old building is that you’re never sure when you will stop renovating 🙂
Don’t get fooled by something like location 1 which seems great to just move in because it looks new and isn’t cluttered. Think long term.
Not that you need my obvious two cents, but I come from an engineering background where we directly have to engage the actual business issues…
Are you guys creating a table of [desired features, pros/cons, initial investment costs, timeline, expansion possibilities, requirements such as room and set, etc.], assigning values to the categories [need/required, want/desired, bonus/frosting], and then giving each site ratings for each category [no good, adequate, more than sufficient]?
Sorry, I’m sure you have it under control, just trying to be helpful.
“Land is the only thing in the world that amounts to anything…for ’tis the only thing in this world that lasts…’Tis the only thing worth working for, worth fighting for—worth dying for.” Gerald O’Hara.
Of course, you guys know best, but it seems like you could do whatever you wanted in the previous huge building and be up faster. If building is anything like it is here in the States, it’s running very late due to shortages and the cost is skyrocketing.
I’m also between #3 and this one.
I would say that land is the best option so you can design everything tailored to your needs. But the time to complete is the restraint.
As Rowan mentioned, then you would need a smaller temporary place to keep growing a bit until your final place is completed, which would drive costs up 🙁
I think given the lack of resources that we are having in nz due to covid and whatever this new monkei virus is will only make it longer, while I agree that the land would be awesome and you could build exactly what you want with no comprimise i dont see this working for creating content as you go, but otherwise I think the MASSIVE building in blog 3 is the one to go for, plenty of room and you can make it your own- so long as is earth quake safe and you get it inspected. My uncle is a retired building inspector for fletchers, he might be able to have a look at it for you as well if you are wanting. Just send me an email using the one I have for this account =)
Hope the search goes well and looking forwards to the updates! I am currently residing in birkenhead (V close) and my uncle is in unsworth for referance.
Cheers and hope you guys have a good day!
Literally took possession of our new build home yesterday – not the same as building a studio, but still some common ground – particularly since we’re in NZ.
The ability to build what you want is absolutely amazing. There is so much we were able to do that we’d never have found searching around one house. Makes a world of difference. That’s the good stuff.
The flip side was, building is stressful, particularly now and particularly in NZ. Rising interest rates, supply shortages and cost increases, labour shortages with covid – there were times we felt the end was just nowhere in sight and it took until now to complete for a build that was scheduled to finish August last year. It ain’t easy.
On balance, there’s no way we’d want to not have built. But at the same time, be ready for a very bumpy ride. I think there’d be better content out of it, but it might be later than you’d like.
Personally I kinda like the idea of getting land bc on top of being able to build exactly what you want, you can also shoot outside. There are some definite drawbacks as my fellow commenters have pointed out, such as supply chain issues, building cost, and having to wait. But IMHO the pros outweigh the cons. Unless of course you guys find a pre-built space that you absolutely love and have that “Aha” moment! And #1 defintiely came the closest to that as far as I can tell.
I think it’s great that you guys are letting us tour these places with you and leaving our 2 cents, but ultimately the decision is yours!
My favorite so far is the first one. Purchasing land and building what you want from the ground up sounds like a great idea, but the amount of time that will take is a pretty big problem. Speaking as a creative type myself, the longer you wait to get to work on your grand ideas, the crazier it will drive you. Then there will always be the nagging doubt that something will happen to make it all fall apart between here and there.
So my opinion for what it is worth is to get something in between that will allow you to begin producing content ASAP, then see about a “build-to-suit” location a few years down the road.
#1 is going to be the fastest to set up everything.
#3 has the most potentials and you can phase the setup floor by floor.
#2 is trash.
#4 is too expensive and looooong wait time due to the current supply issues and what else has been going around the world.
So it’s a close pick between #1 and #3 I guess.
In that ditch space you could perhaps re-create (parts of) Honeywood for some Epic NPC Man filming on-site. Maybe even a corral for Greg’s sheep so they can stop getting lost!
Its gonna take you ages with just land!
I think that buying land and building there is a huge risk right now. I liked option 3 & 1 better.
I would worry about supply chain issues. The price of lumber here in the US is astronomical right now.
Judging from friends who have built their own houses in the past, you should expect it to be completed late and over budget, so plan accordingly.
That low bit, there’s a natural green screen there!
Seriously, I wouldn’t go for the land. You might draw up plans that you thought were ideal, and then, by the time it was built, have changed ideas so it’s actually not much better than a place you could move straight into. I think you’d find the wait frustrating and the construction process energy sapping.
The one from Blog#3 is still my favorite.
I’d start with an existing building, and save up to get a plot of land and then starting building it up while you’re already established in an existing office. It’d definitely be a long-term plan but I think that’d be your best play if you really wanted to go the land route.
I mean why stop at land, just annex a whole country, then you won’t need to worry about zoning permission and other regulations 😉 The plot looks nice, curious to see what you would build on top.
And thus begins the making of Azerim
If you decide to build from scratch, you will need a second Kickstarter soon. I have learned a lot about construction (in my studies) and I can tell you that the costs will never be predictable and will go up to heights you never thought of.
Do yourself a favour and rather renovate an existing one. The first one looked very nice.
I see a big issue with supply chain issues as all industries in construction are having trouble with getting supplies and affording supplies. While you would have more customizability, I don’t know if the cost would be cheaper (although I’m also not sure how much land costs in NZ either!). This would definitely be a second pick compare to the place you looked at in Blog 3
It can cost more to renovate than to build from scratch, depending on the age of the building. Land is a great option-just not that piece of land, too much wasted space with that slope and there could be drainage issues.
I agree with what so many already said, though if you think you can financially take your time then go for it! Live your dream!!
Also be inquisitive as to what else is gonna be built in the area and other things that may hinder building, and\or the work of the studio later on. Should also be a consideration.
Furthermore, about that “unusable land”. Be creative. If it can’t be used specifically for filming, build a deck or something that will contribute to the studio and the people working in it as a whole. =]
Good luck guys!! Stay awesome!!
I dont know about NZ laws but here in Germany you (most of the time) have to leave some space between your building and the edge of your property. If you dont do this you have to put special measures in place like improved fireprove wall and windows. so the lower part of the property might not be a big problem. Or you could use it as an infiltration pit for the rain falling on the roof (if NZ law allows this). So defently get to talk with a civil engineer who knows NZ laws (i know u propably did or are planing to do).
Buying is a great option, because once you starting doing good, no one is going to up the rent on you over time. Just make sure zoning will allow you to build and do the type of business you want to do.
Evaluate the cost for sure, but moving from small to med/large is always difficult. The investment it takes to be able to make that move isn’t trivial and the stopgaps that you described the intermediate studios as are likely to be cheaper and faster. However, if you can make the land/new build option happen it will be, by far, the best option. I hope that the kick starter has enabled you to actually do that where when you were just counting on your own money for the space it wasn’t an option. Speaking for myself, I am okay with a longer delay so that you get the full expandable studio that you are looking for.
You could also look at going the land route, starting with a metal-framed or prefabbed type warehouse for the studio to get some content from the new space out to people first. Those buildings can go up very quickly when compared to office buildings.
This would be awesome! Do it one time the right way! Add a green roof and solar panels and try to make it a self-sustaining building! I already see the green VLDL studios!
Time should not be the relevant factor now. What is a potential delay of e.g. 2 years compared to the history of VLDL and the comming years of joy? 😉
I am sure most of us would be willing to wait the extra time to ensure you got what you need and get the best return on your investment. Don’t rush it and regret it if it isn’t exactly what you want. Any renovation always comes with hidden surprises that might end up costing almost as much as a new build. Watching the progress, no matter how long it takes, will still be interesting. Just to say we watched it being born and grow is pretty cool.
I think the last option in blog #3 was my favorite it’s big enough that when you clean it out you could also build up whatever you needed and like you said it’s got space
Land is solid.. plus you can always build an underground bunker into that drop off or hide down there if you run out of mana.
Pro- do mostly what you want.
Con- gotta get all that plumbin’ and stuff done.
I’m a big fan of land. You’re content will be great no matter what, but not having to make creative compromises in a previously built place will probably lead to a happier future for all of you. Plan and build yourselves is my vote 😀
*Your Dang it.
You know, buying land is always a good choice, I’m a big fan of it. You have a property that has a durable value and over that property you can build whatever you like, then nock it down and build again from scratch as much as you like and have money to spend. It take more time to get ready and the price can rise quite high but as you said, you can start with something and then expand further. That said, if that’s the spot, only you can tell
Buying the land would let you build what you need, but those needs are likely to change quickly as you’ve been growing so fast (congratulations and well earned!).
To echo what others have said, the large building that needs to be refurbished wouldn’t have to be done all at once. You would have so much room to grow and you could make updates as you go. You’d also have rooms to film in a pinch if an idea sprang up really quickly but you don’t have time to build what you need.
The production quality has already skyrocketed since the Kickstarter ended and I think having a dedicated space available to you sooner would let you get some of your projects to the place they deserve faster, letting you put more time and money into things to come.
Plus you won’t have to spend money on temporary arrangements for filming, storage etc in the meantime.
In my opinion I would not go for the land but for the other very big building were you have to do a lot of renovations. Reason is, that you can start faster
Probably it’s also possible to buy the land as well
I always find land exciting – would this be large enough to actually use for outside filming at all? Because having outdoor set/woodland areas would also be an advantage. Of course, building is dreadful in NZ atm, though it’s likely to improve over the few years *fingers crossed*.
The land – even the small hill maybe good for outside shootings – depending on the traffic in the background and the future building plans (of other companies) that might be build next to that it.
I would honestly go with the land. You then have something to put up as capital for future loans if needed.
My thoughts on buying land & building from scratch is that you’ll probably want to build with SIPs, Structurally Insulated Panels, because though in materials it’s a little bit more expensive, it will cut noises tremendously–a huge bonus for a production studio–as well as the time & labor needed versus traditional stick-built construction. You’ll still need some steel scaffolding for any sort of rigging, though.
Pros:
It will fit exactly what you need and no worries of pre-existing hidden issues.
Land would give you more natural space to work with outside the sets.
You could develop it over time. Start with the basics and promised sets then build as you need it.
Cons:
I’ve seen a few custom houses and buildings built. There is always something and it will both delay and cost more than you expect.
You’ll have to resist more of having the big cool things (cause there is a lot of big cool things you can do from the ground up).