The veteran producer has taken over a former Quixote North Valley studio complex on Montague Street through a 25-year lease with an option to purchase. Halley plans to reopen the four-stage facility this fall as Imani Studio, creating a new production home for his Imani Media Group while making space available to other filmmakers.
Halley, whose credits include the True to the Game film trilogy starring Vivica A. Fox and BET’s Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is, sees the move as both a business opportunity and a commitment to keeping production in Los Angeles.
“Somebody’s got to believe in Hollywood,” Halley said, describing his goal of helping rebuild an industry facing significant production and employment losses.
The facility represents a major investment. Halley says the lease is valued at more than $25 million, while approximately $19 million was spent constructing the complex three years ago. He plans to invest another $2 million to $6 million into the property, including new staff and LED volume technology.
Manny Halley Invests in Independent Production
For Halley, owning or controlling production infrastructure is about giving independent producers more creative and financial flexibility.
He believes having access to a dedicated studio can reduce production costs while allowing Imani Media Group to build its own content library without relying entirely on outside studio facilities.
Imani Studio will be used for Halley’s own film and television projects, but the doors will also be open to outside productions, including student filmmakers and independent creators.
Halley has retained three former facility employees and hopes to bring back additional workers as the studio expands.
A New Home for True to the Game and BET’s Lot Patrol
The first major productions are already taking shape.
By late September, Halley expects Imani Studio to begin production on a True to the Game television series, expanding the franchise that helped establish his profile as a producer. The facility is also expected to host BET comedy Lot Patrol, which recently received an additional five-episode order.
Imani Media Group’s distribution operations have also worked with platforms and theatrical partners including Amazon, Tubi and major theater chains, giving Halley an existing pipeline for projects produced at the new facility.
Rebuilding Hollywood Through Black Ownership
The opening of Imani Studio comes at a difficult moment for Los Angeles production. Soundstage demand declined sharply following the writers’ and actors’ strikes, contributing to a broader slowdown that has affected productions, crews and businesses throughout the region.
Rather than pull back, Halley is choosing to invest.
His company has filmed 18 productions in California, with 14 receiving state production incentives. He now hopes Imani Studio can help create more opportunities for filmmakers and crew members while providing an affordable production space for projects at different stages of the industry.
BET executive Brian Rikuda praised the partnership, noting the importance of supporting Black ownership and entrepreneurship in entertainment.
For Halley, Imani Studio represents more than another soundstage. It’s an effort to create a Black-owned production hub where filmmakers can work, build, and bring their stories to life—while helping keep Hollywood’s production ecosystem moving forward.