Technology is a brilliant and wondrous thing, offering up newfangled ways to communicate, work and play. But alongside the ginormous checklist of pros exists a number of cons that are tough to ignore. One of those not so awesome aspects is the desolate isolation that occurs when we find ourselves sweating over a creative conundrum with no one around to give us an in-person boost. This, of course, inevitably leads us to taking video of ourselves warbling a pathetically mournful rendition of "I'm So Lonely I Could Cry" in the middle of an empty room, which, once posted, is guaranteed to elicit cruel laughter/comments from YouTubers worldwide.
Just such a state did Milwaukee-based artist/graphic designer Jeff Redmon find himself in not too long ago--okay, I have no actual proof that he crooned à la Hank Williams, but let's just enjoy that sweetly melancholy thought for a moment, eh? Spending hours and hours alone in his home studio with nary a flesh-n-blood peep to share ideas or commiserate with was draining him of the all-important motivation he craved.
Being thus stricken and believing that others were suffering in a similar quarantine, Redmon decided that he should open a facility where creative type folks like him could gather, discuss ideas, develop and work on projects, and generally lift their spirits together in an actual physical space. And so he did.
Called The Green Room, the co-work space is housed near the end of a private gravel road in a nondescript building at 300 E. Ward Street in the Bay View neighborhood. Upon entering, one immediately understands why Redmon and his partner Josh Fraundorf, president of Sweet Water Organics--which, by the way, is located just adjacent--chose this humble yet easily modifiable abode.
In the main room, old-school industrial windows let in plenty of natural light and a high ceiling provides an airy atmosphere, creating an inviting environment to take your brain out for a jog. There are six dedicated desks situated in prime spots and available to full-time residents. An additional bar-like workspace is positioned on the wall opposite the windows, ready for use by drop-in guests.
The big seller in this room is the huge white cyc studio area. For those unfamiliar with that term and genteelly asking, "WTF is that?" white cyc--or cyclorama--is a background used in photography and film that has three sides--wall + wall + floor--with no visible seams or corners, making it easy to insert virtual backdrops or images in place of it. It's an illusion, not really there! Anyhoo, photogs and filmmakers love it and The Green Room's got it.
The open ceiling above the white cyc background can accommodate lighting rigs and they've got a bay door that any reasonably-sized equipment truck could use for unloading/loading. Redmon told me that they're tossing around the notion of installing a green screen in the future, so that's somethin' for the all shooters to hope for.
In addition to the main room, the facilities include a small conference room, several chat-n-relax spots, a darkroom for black & white film development, a screen-printing room, a fine art workspace--a.k.a. get your mess on room--and a kitchen area. Oh, did I forget the tech stuff? Silly me. Yes, Wi-Fi and networked printers, too.
Full-time Green Room residents get their own key to the place, allowing 24/7 access, and unlimited use of everything and every willing mind in the joint. The monthly rent is $300 per month and any equipment brought in and left there must be insured.
Drop-ins are welcome and are currently charged $10 per day. It's suggested that you email info at greenroommilwaukee dot com or call 414-403-3465 first to make sure there's room for you.
As is the case whenever you're sharin' space, some rules must be implemented and they've outlined 'em here. Pretty standard stuff, really, but I do loves me the last one: No jackassery. Well said and right on!
Besides co-working, The Green Room rents its facilities for meetings, screenings, art events, what have you. Also, they rent the photo/film studio area to design agencies and professional photographers on an hourly basis.
The space is a bit rough around the edges, but it's got an honest, comfortable feel that's sure to help inspire some fantastic work and maybe even cheery sing-alongs. Who's up for a rousing "Whistle While You Work" round? Anyone?
Link (Thanks, Jeff!)
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