3R and utilitylab Unite to Redefine Jersey City’s Film Scene

Written by 3R Founder Juan Diego Roque
November 10, 2025

I gained a lot of experience several years ago hosting a large artist showcase in the basement of Mana Contemporary.

The showcase was called “Emerge” done in partnership with the Monira Foundation. I brought JC artists, performers, and small brands / businesses together under specific themes: Cyberpunk and Film Noir. The last Emerge event I hosted, around 2023, was in the theme of Cyberpunk and had over 250 people come through.

Creating a memorable experience on a shoestring budget was a huge effort. The last chapter of Emerge with done with the support of JC Arts & Culture Trust Fund. However, the experience I was trying to built required a great deal of time, effort, and sacrifice.

My friends and I would get together to world build in the themes (Shout out to Ciara Nicdao, Dominique Cunningham, Amy Paraskeva, Giordano Taylor!). We’d handle procurement, marketing, on-ground planning and execution, and I’d lead a team of artists / musicians / djs / vendors into being apart of the experience. We’d create unique stage designs and installations for guests to feel like they’ve been transported to a different world. Attendees would dress up in the themes as well, some hoping that they’d win the costume contests we’d run.

I wanted more than an event.
I wanted an immersive experience, something Jersey City had never seen.

But I had to stop doing them or pause for the time being. I needed to re-align with my production company which financially supported the events.

Creating at Mana Contemporary pushed me to grow and connect with artists, creators, and performers who inspire me.

Along the journey, I befriended Michael Macalincag.

Photo taken at ‘utilitylab’ November 9, 2025, a boutique film studio designed by Michael Macalincag.

I met Michael, a colorist/DIT/designer, around 2018/2019 when I was in a collective called i78. At the time, we were eager to learn and break into the industry. We were creating music videos, branded content, and promoted ourselves as the new exciting collective out of Jersey City. Syd, a friend of mine in the collective, had the skillful eye to be our teams lead cinematographer. He was collaborating with Michael already getting a deeper look into color grading.

One day, as we were in our shared studio, Syd walked in with Michael and he began asking us what we were developing and getting into. He’d already carved his place in the industry, developing thoughtful systems and a disciplined approach that allowed him to operate at a high level.

I’ve always known Michael to be a smart and curious individual. He took the time to meet with us, impart insight, essentially becoming a mentor to us all over time. I attribute Michael to elevating everything we were accomplishing back then as he supported us through color grading, project pitches, elevating our professionalism, and more. He believed in us.

I left that collective in 2020 but most of us remained friends.

After I left, I had to rediscover who I was as an artist and creator. I expanded my video business, began hosting events, and further developed my personal brand. I began to go to Michael more often for his color grading services and we’d spend get into deep discussions on business, creativity, and art. He saw me host those past Emerge events too probably thinking I was a bit crazy.

Fast forward to now. In just a few months, 3R (a new independent streaming platform for filmmakers and artists) has grown quickly.

We’re approaching our third 3R Experience; a monthly program designed to feature keynotes on platform developments, film screenings, and live panels with audience Q&As. The goal is to bring people into the world of 3R in person: to share our work, exchange ideas, highlight local filmmakers, and build a consistent creative community around film.

The first two ‘3R Experiences’ were held out of my studio.
I flipped my headquarters and changed it into a cinema.

Still from the 1st 3R Experience in August.

Still from the 1st 3R Experience featuring myself (Diego Roque) as the host and panelists Rashad Wright and Dakota Jane.

I wanted to start the event in a space I had full control over. The first screening was truly a test. Private invites only. It felt intimate and special. Everyone loved the screening and the panel that followed hit even better. The second screening really had my studio packed. The event sold out twice!

It was beautiful to see the ‘cinema’ dream come to life.

I finally felt I had enough testing done to feel good about pitching the event to outside venues. I was going to start branching out when I thought about Michael again. As I was building 3R, Michael was handling the biggest project of his life thus far; or so I consider it to be. He’s further developing his studio space utilitylab to be a boutique film studio.

I frequently visited his space, which was essentially a construction site since January, and listened as he noted the next moves and updates to be made.

Still taken in utilitylab on November 9, 2025.

Now, utilitylab is ready to open its doors.

We’re one of the first entities to host an event in the space. Join us not only for the screening and film community, but to celebrate this major accomplishment here in Jersey City. I’m excited for this 3rd installment of the 3R Experience to be hosted in such an intentional and curated space. That’s the same philosophy I carry with developing 3R: to be intentional and curate a great experience for guests, filmmakers, and all who enjoy creativity and art.

This collaboration is about building the kind of creative infrastructure I always wished existed when I started. A place where filmmakers, artists, and storytellers in Jersey City can grow together.

Huge thanks to Michael and the utilitylab team for believing in this vision, and to everyone who’s been part of the journey.

Early-Bird Tickets Are Now Live!

Reserve your spot for the next 3R Experience on November 23rd at utilitylab: a night of cinema, conversation, and community!

Early-bird tickets available now until Nov 17! Limited capacity.