How Entrepreneur Alex Pissios Created the Modern Day Film Industry in Chicago

Alex Pissios and the Journey to Film Success

After completing his higher education, Alex Pissios found himself at something of a crossroads in his life. On the one hand, he could follow what seemed like the most logical path in his life - becoming a special education teacher like his father. Or, he could follow what was a true passion for him - entering the real estate industry. After careful consideration, he chose the latter and over the next few years was able to find a great deal of success as a result.

Then, in 2008, Pissios' operations were impacted along with the rest of the world thanks to the collapse of the housing market and the global economic downturn. Nobody was immune, not even him. It was then that he pursued another opportunity that had become available to him: entering the film and television business.

At a wedding in Toronto, Pissios encountered an uncle who had himself made an impact in the film industry as the founder of Cinespace Toronto. He was looking to expand into the United States and needed a partner with which to do it. He chose Alex and the two got to work on something that would soon become bigger than either of them could have imagined.

While Chicago did have something of a film presence up to that point, it was hardly what it is today. Perhaps the biggest example of this was when "Chicago" - a hugely successful movie that would go on to win many Academy Awards - chose to film in Toronto instead of in its titular city. Pissios and his uncle set out to change this kind of thing and help prevent it from happening again.

Cinespace Chicago Film Studios formally opened in 2011 after Pissios and his aforementioned uncle purchased the old Ryerson Steel site in north Lawnsdale - a 60 acre plot that had seen better days. It was here that they would quickly build the largest independent film studio outside of Los Angeles.

All throughout this period, it was important for people to know that he wasn't just putting all of this time, effort and passion into getting Cinespace off the ground for his own benefit. He wanted to make a true difference in the community that had given him so much, as well. He wanted to do his part to change people's lives for the better, and he had always said that if that simple idea isn't true in your situation, you need to take a look in the mirror and ask yourself what you're really doing.

Today, a number of major television shows are filmed in Chicago thanks to Cinespace - along with many notable films every year. On the TV side of the equation you have ones like "Chicago Fire," "Chicago P.D." and "Chicago Med," among others. On the movie side you have massive hits like "Transformers," "The Dark Knight," "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and others. It truly was a massive turnaround for a city where, in 1992, the biggest movie filmed in the area was the Kurt Russell/Martin Short comedy "Captain Ron."

After the Cinespace facility was complete, it was truly Paramount and "Transformers 3" that put the company on the map. The majority of the movie - which would go on to become one of the year's most successful blockbusters - was filmed at Cinespace and all throughout the city. Based on this success, the company would purchase a number of additional warehouses over the next few years in a sign of aggressive expansion.

Alex Pissios and his uncle embraced a number of innovative tactics as they continued to grow. Some of the facilities they purchased they would lease to camera equipment rental companies and even a brewery. They embraced the community by offering education to train the camera operators, gaffers, carpenters and others that would be needed to attract major film productions. They even offered one free year's worth of rent to major equipment rental companies to establish a presence in the area.

From that perspective, Cinespace wasn't just building a product facility. They were building the type of infrastructure that the city would need over the next decade and beyond. In 2013, DePaul University asked of they could lease one of Cinespace's facilities for their School of Cinematic Arts. The agreement quickly became a benefit of both organizations, and it contributed to DePaul being named as one of the 25 greatest film schools in the country by the esteemed trade publication The Hollywood Reporter. This is something that both Pissios and his uncle are very proud of.

The Future of Alex Pissios

Despite his passion for film and the impact he had made over the years, Pissios decided in 2021 that it was time to move onto the next chapter in his life. It was then that he not only sold Cinespace Chicago to an equity firm called TPG Real Estate, but he also decided to move away from the CEO role that he'd had for years.

On the future of Cinespace itself, Pissios believes that it is a bright one. It already has allowed the city to rival the production capabilities of both New York and L.A. and that is a trend that shows no signs of slowing anytime soon.

On the subject of his own ongoing journey, he hopes to be able to focus more of his time on another one of his true passions: education. Through his CineCares organization, he created 7,500 new jobs and provided ongoing education to people in Chicago.

Now, he will work on similar initiatives so that he and his colleagues can hopefully continue to make a meaningful impact on as many people throughout the area as possible. His father had always been one of his primary inspirations, and was someone who found an incredible sense of fulfillment as a special education teacher. He will now focus much of his attention on continuing that fine tradition moving forward.