Meet Jen Berkowitz and Leila Barratt-Denyer of Electric Pony Studios in Downtown Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Berkowitz and Leila Barratt-Denyer.

Jen and Leila, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Jen: We met 20 years ago in NYC and became best friends. Then, a few years ago, Leila moved out here to LA. We would talk about starting a business together – I have worked as a producer in tv and documentary for a long time, and Leila was the Director of Operations and Client Services at one of the most prestigious studios in NYC, so opening a studio space together seemed like it could combine our experiences in a cool way.

Leila: It was all about timing, and the right space. The moment came where we had to decide to take a leap towards our dream. With the combined experience between us, we knew in our hearts that this venture would be a success. Still, every day when we open the gates to the studio we smile because we have created a space where people come to create their dreams through film, photos, music and art and we get to be a small part of that. How lucky are we?

What are your biggest challenges?
Leila: Making sure we still take road trips. But seriously, I want to be at the studio all the time! It’s a huge privilege for us to be here – and the studio is a fun place to be, it’s a huge historic 1924 warehouse where people come to make art and media – tv, film, photoshoots…so we’re around creativity all the time. what’s better than that?

Jen: The studio is our dream but it’s also kind of our clubhouse. We have art around us, we get to meet all these creative people and see what they’re doing and learn about them. Sometimes after a shoot we turn up the music and dance in here by ourselves…we’re always having a good time.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Electric Pony Studios – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Jen: Electric Pony Studios is a vintage warehouse studio space where people come to create film, television, music videos, photo shoots, commercials, e-commerce shoots, virtual reality, art. We also host pop-up events. The studio has a lot of natural character – sandblasted brick walls, old fire doors, truss and bow ceilings, so it’s a beautiful textured space to shoot in, but it’s also huge, so you can build sets in the space as well. We also rent equipment, lighting and cool vintage props.

Leila: What sets us apart and what are we most proud of? We are both New Yorkers, so we bring a New York edge, but we also bring the New York heart and hustle – we really take care of our clients and make sure they get the highest level of customer service – whether you’re an industry veteran or a young film-maker, once you walk into Electric Pony Studios, you and your project are the most important thing to us. I think people really appreciate that because sometimes in LA that’s not the case.

Jen: At the core, we love the creative process. Making anything creative happen is a delicate thing – there are usually a lot of moving parts that have to come together in a finite period of time. Our role is to make things easy and well-organized for our clients so they can focus on what they need to. So, we keep things cool and relaxed. The most consistent compliment we get is that our studio has a “great vibe.”

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
LA’s utter vastness is both insane and inspiring.

We need more public transportation, but if we can make it happen for real, it’ll be worth it because there is a ton to experience. One moment you can be in some cool old bungalow in a place that doesn’t feel like the city at all, and the next you’re in k-town, or Thai-town, or south central. Downtown alone – the wholesale produce industry, the fashion district, the endless fabric stores, flower marts, and old theaters. There’s incredible architectural history and food, and really diverse people from all different cultures. It’s a fascinating place that defies definition.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.electricponystudios.com
• Phone: 917-450-0015
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @electricponystudios
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/electricponystudios

Image Credit:
Workout shoot: Plyojam / Z Best Foto
Music Video / Trees Director: Zain Shammas Producer: Ali Al-Mashat

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.