On the surface, this seems like a tough time to open a soundstage facility in the San Fernando Valley.
TV and film production volume has plummeted since 2023. But Cinespace Studios Los Angeles formally opens the doors today of its 180,000-square-foot campus in Woodland Hills. The venture is part of Toronto-based Cinespace Studios’ network of existing production hubs in Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, Wilmington, N.C. and Germany. Los Angeles has been on the drawing board since 2023, says Eoin Egan, co-CEO of Toronto-based Cinespace Studios.
Cinespace’s hope is to gain more overall business market share with the largest producers and programmers by having soundstage options in multiple locations to serve their lensing needs. Egan sees positive signs in California’s successful move to significantly increase the state’s production tax incentive funds.
“Los Angeles was always part of the strategy. It is where many of our executives are based. It is where production still gets decided upon for the most part. And the community here is one of the most experienced communities in the world in productions of all scale,” Egan told Variety. “We know that production has slowed down and there is more competition out there. But I think we’re coming at a good time.”
Cinespace Studios Los Angeles features six soundstages that span 18,000 square feet apiece, with 30-foot clear heights. The space in the complex formerly known as the Warner Center includes 72,000 square feet of production offices and ancillary space.
With the opening of the Woodland Hills stages, Cinespace now operates more than 4.3 million square feet of production space and 115 active soundstages in total. The company is majority owned by private equity giant TPG.
The first project to set up shop at Cinespace Studios Los Angeles is the movie thriller “Nightwatching,” from Fifth Season, PictureStart and Scott Free Productions.
The Cinespace Studios LA opening will be celebrated Monday morning at an event that is scheduled to include remarks from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
“The grand opening of Cinespace Studios’ first campus in Los Angeles is a testament to what we’ve always known – L.A. is the creative capital of the world,” Bass said in a statement. “Seeing new soundstages open with a production already underway speaks to the collective strength of our signature industry. These investments create good-paying jobs, expand creative outlets, and spur new economic opportunities.”
Egan thinks the West Valley Woodland Hills location for Cinespace has benefits by being in the heart of the creative community.
“We’re in the middle of the crew base in that part of the valley,” Egan said. “There’s a tradition of film production in the area but there’s never been a purpose-built studio.”
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