Duluth Residents Converted Historic Home into Film Studio
A 123-year-old property on East Superior Street now functions as a creative production hub for local filmmakers.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Interior Decorating
Live Poll
Do you believe local creative spaces improve the quality of life in your community?
Clare Cooley and Bodhi Werner have transformed their 123-year-old Duluth home into a multifunctional art and filmmaking studio. The property now serves as a central hub for their production company, MotherSon Productions.
Why it matters
The residential conversion provides a unique, dedicated space for local film production and workforce development training. The layout specifically accommodates the technical needs of filmmakers while maintaining its historic character.
Located on the 2200 block of E Superior St, the 123-year-old residence features a carriage house converted into a green screen volume. The third floor is currently dedicated to a guest room for hosting production crew.
The players
Clare Cooley
She is a resident of the Duluth home and a filmmaker who operates MotherSon Productions.
Bodhi Werner
He is a resident of the Duluth home and a filmmaker who operates MotherSon Productions.
MotherSon Productions
This is a film production company that operates a workforce development program for production training.
Zeitgeist
This is a local venue hosting the upcoming public film screening.
The details
The homeowners, who moved to the Duluth property 11 years ago, have integrated film production and training into their living space. The studio facilitates various stages of filmmaking, including a recent short film project completed in August.
Timeline
Cooley and Werner moved into the home 11 years ago.
A short film was shot at the house in August.
A public screening of North Port 1999 episodes will occur on October 17 at the Zeitgeist.
Culture Shift
The property fits into the growing trend of adaptive reuse, where historic architecture is repurposed to serve modern creative industries. This shift highlights a departure from traditional workspace models, favoring home-based production environments that integrate living and work.
Residents can engage with the local film community by attending the upcoming screening at the Zeitgeist. The studio also offers potential opportunities for those interested in the firm's workforce development program.
The takeaway
Repurposing residential properties for specialized creative work offers a flexible alternative to traditional commercial studio leasing. This approach demonstrates how historic preservation can support modern artistic innovation and workforce development.
What happens next
A public screening of North Port 1999 episodes is scheduled for October 17 at the Zeitgeist.
Further reading
For more on adapting residential spaces for creative use, see our Interior Decorating section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WDIO.
Live Poll
Do you believe local creative spaces improve the quality of life in your community?
