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Interview By: Janel Spiegel
Interview with Tony Moore (Cipher Sounds), Michael Judkins, and Taiymell Thomas
Reading Film Studios
531 Canal Street
Reading, PA 19602
https://www.readingfilmstudios.net/
It was a beautiful day in Reading, PA, and I was able to meet with the LEGENDARY Tony Moore CipherSounds, He was the original D.J. hip-hop Cipher, and he is a producer, and the CEO founder of Reading Film Studios. Michael Judkins is an amazingly talented producer, writer, and director. Taiymell Thomas is a writer and executive producer. These three gentlemen were so kind to take the time to do this interview, and they gave me a tour of the vibrantly incredibly Reading Film Studio. They have sets, a beautiful office. It’s welcoming and warm. I was greeted Taiymell who looked deep in thought, and he was working. Tony Moore is an incredible legend. He joined us on some of the tour. He shared amazing stories, and projects he is working on. Michael was kind enough to talk about some projects, and why they want this studio to be successful. It’s truly an incredible place. You can tell these three men put their heart and soul into all of this. Tony Moore is also working on the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop in New York. They took time to talk with me for The Valley Ledger.
TVL- Hi Tony, Michael, and Taiymell. Thank you for meeting with me today. This film studio is beautiful. Please tell us how the Reading Film Studio manifested for you?
Tony- It started with my friend Chen Lee. We opened up a film studio in the late nineties in Harlem, NY. Around 2003 we had the film studio running but my daughter got cancer, and she was only eight. She survived, she’s twenty-nine now, but it was kind of hard for me to go through all of that. We closed the business down, and Chen said, when everything gets better, and we find another building, we’re going to revisit this. Chen called me fifteen years later, and said, I found a building in Reading, PA., let’s build a film studio. That was in 2015, and it took us a while. We had some investors that came in, and they wanted to work on it with us. Unfortunately, COVID hit, and everyone backed out but we said we’re here already… So, let’s do this, and we got through it.
TVL- I want to ask you because I ask directors, writers, producers, etc.… I spoke with a lot of different people in the entertainment industry that worked during COVID. It was extremely difficult for some but they said, they did find some good, and they took away some good creativity. Do you feel that something positive came out of all of this creatively?
Tony- Yes! We felt that when we were going through the pandemic, there was an opportunity. The buildings were condemned so, once we got the buildings fixed, we had a client come in to do a film. We had to follow all of the CDC guidelines. It took about three weeks, and ninety-percent of the film was filmed here. It worked out.
TVL- How did the three of you meet? (Tony, Michael, and Taiymell)
Tony – His father was my rapper when I did House Party with Kid ‘n Play. I remember when he was a kid, and his father wanted to work with me. I met Michael about a year ago. I wanted to work with him.
TVL- What was the first film you made here at The Reading Film Studios?
Tony- The Mick and The Trick (2022). It’s been picked up by Tubi, it’s a Tubi Original.
TVL- What would you want to say to people that want to get into this industry? Do you have any words of wisdom?
Tony- Save a lot of money and do a lot of homework. There are so many regulations for a film studio, and we deal with a lot.
TVL- I asked Taiymell this… If a filmmaker would want to work with you? What’s the process?
Tony- This studio is designed for independent films. I worked at Silvercup Studios part-time, and I noticed they would turn down certain projects. I decided to build this studio for the independent filmmakers because I was one of them.
TVL- It’s sad because there are so many talented people out there. They may not have the biggest budget but they are creating amazing work, and they don’t always get the support they need.
Tony- Right. That’s why we designed this. We felt that designing this studio would be perfect for the independent filmmakers.
TVL- Did you face any challenges coming to Reading? A lot of people will always go to New York or Philadelphia for art and creative opportunities. It means a lot to have a place like this.
Tony- The problem we had was letting people know about it. We are trying to work with the community. The old saying, “once you build it, they will come.” We are reaching out via social media, and through a few other film offices.
TVL- For Taiymell- Did you imagine this studio would be how it is right now?
Taiymell- When Tony brought me in, I found out it was going to be a place for artists like myself, for young, independent artists. This would be a great place for young filmmakers to get a great opportunity.
TVL- Have you considered mentoring or classes?
Tony- Yes, we have been looking into that. We have reached out to companies that work with budgets, and we are a start-up company. I go back and forth to New York, and do a lot of projects to keep the company going. We want to put Reading on the map because Reading doesn’t have an identity of its own.
TVL- Yes, it does. They don’t truly push it.
Tony- No they don’t. This is great for filmmaking. We are union and non-union.
TVL – Michael, how did you get involved with The Reading Film Studios?
Michael- I met these creative gentlemen through another creative partner here. I thought what they’re doing is great. I live in Allentown, PA so, it was a breath of fresh air to see another studio within a thirty-mile radius. Reading is in between Philadelphia and New York. I thought it was great, and I could see the potential. I was excited to come on board. I’m working on some projects with them now. Thank you to The Valley Ledger because you guys have always supported me.
TVL- Thank you. Thank you, guys, so much for taking the time to do this interview, and talk with me for The Valley Ledger. Michael, do you have any advice?
Michael- One of the things my mentor always told me was, always be a student in art, and keep moving forward. Pay it forward.
Taiymell- My advice would be to build a trustworthy team. It’s always better to find like-minded people.
TVL – how does your process start when you make a film?
Tony- It starts with the script first. A lot of times people don’t have a big budget so, I will say write with what you’ve got. Use the resources around you. You can get great content, and sound.
TVL- Is there anything else you would like to discuss regarding The Reading Film Studios or any other projects you are working on?
Tony- We are celebrating 50 Years of Hip-Hop. I’m one of the founding members of Hip-Hop. I started out with Russell Simmons and Kurtis Blow in the seventies. We’re celebrating that, and this is the very first studio that’s Hip Hop related, and it comes from a Hip Hop background. When I first started, I had my first recording studio in the early eighties, and that was my launching pad. I met the Hudlin brothers who did the movie House Party, and they loved my music. They put two of my songs in the movie. They mentored me, and I’m the type of person that does not like to be in front of the cameras.
TVL- I thank you all so much. Thank you for taking the time. Thank you for the tour of the beautiful studio. You did such an amazing job.
Tony- Thank you.
Michael- Thank you.
Taiymell – Thank you.
https://www.readingfilmstudios.net/
https://www.facebook.com/CipherSounds/
https://www.facebook.com/readingfilmstudios/
Michael Judkins IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9250657/
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10228618/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/taiymell-thomas-715828202
https://www.facebook.com/CipherSounds/
