First came the Apple Computer garage. Then the Google garage. Now Nevada City will have its own mediaplex in a converted garage when Studio 380 opens next month.

Studio owner John Munro said he's been wanting to build a space for videography, photography and creative projects since he moved to Nevada City two years ago. He and associate Craig Rohrsen have renovated the former Paris garage at 380 Railroad Ave. into a 1,600- square-foot studio and editing suite.

"It was time," said Munro, who has more than 25 years of film and television production experience and got his start at Warner Brothers Studios in Hollywood. "To my knowledge, there isn't a full-production facility in the county."

Big enough to store a car, quiet, secure and open 24/7, the studio will feature a green screen. Green screening is a technique that enables people to be shot with any background projected behind them, whether the effect is standing on top of a speeding train or dancing on a spoon.

Munro and Rorhsen hope local media artists will rent the studio or editing suite for projects or hire them for production work. They have the capability of producing commercials, music videos, demos and interviews. They're also betting that with the rising popularity of Web-based media, more artists, individuals and businesses will need content for their Web sites. The pair already have formed a production company called Nevada County Media Access Group (www.ncmag.net).

"We're poised on a revolution in video to high-definition (video) and a big demand for content," said Rohrsen, who also works as technical manager of NCTV and runs Creekside Video Productions.

Although NCTV offers its studio and editing facilities to anyone who pays a $35 membership fee, the content must air on NCTV and scheduling is difficult, since the studio is regularly booked for ongoing shows and classes.

Studio 380's editing suite will include both PC and Macintosh G5 editing systems using Final Cut Pro software. It also will offer high-bandwidth Internet access and live Web streaming. Sony digital video cameras, audio equipment, lights and backdrops also will be available.

While insulation and painting won't be completed until next month, the studio has already been booked for video projects. After opening in November, Munro hopes to book the studio for events such as film screenings and musical performances.

To learn more about Studio 380, go to www.studio380.com.

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To contact Staff Writer Jill Bauerle, e-mail jillb@theunion.com or call 477-4219.