The famed Universal Studios Lot has been undergoing ongoing multi-year construction and expansion. But in the bigger picture, this growth–ambitious in and of itself in Los Angeles–also extends beyond Southern California geography with resources and services being developed and mobilized in other centers as well.
Jeff Stone, president and general manager of Universal Studios Operations, provided a handle on the growing infrastructure on and outside the main lot, shedding light on key dynamics behind the expansion including sustainability, a blurring of lines between interiors and the outdoors, and a deep concern–reflected in approaches to design and architecture–for the well-being of people as an environment has been fashioned for them that nurtures creativity and collaboration.
Stone outlined recent developments on the lot, including the opening this past spring of the new Employee Commons with upgraded dining facilities including made-to-order food stations for salads, tacos, pizzas, global cuisine and more–plus the Peacock Grill fine dining restaurant, three screening theaters, and a 4,500 square foot Event Center with a view to the Hollywood Hills. In September, the One Universal office building debuted with 350,000 square feet of space over 11 stories looking out toward the San Gabriel Mountains.
“The overall design,” related Stone, “blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor experiences inspired by contemporary design. Great examples of the outside/inside design are the Garden Pavilion meeting spaces that open to the large green space that connect seamlessly with indoor seating areas. The design works beautifully to bring people together to collaborate.
“For sustainability features,” continued Stone, “The Commons has roof-top solar panels, automatic shades that raise or lower depending on the sun’s position, and system sensors that adjust HVAC levels based on occupancy, among other features. The One Universal office building has a vegetated roof to provide natural cooling, 132 EV chargers, and a high-performance facade with low carbon building materials. The dedicated green space between the buildings is vegetated with pollinator-friendly native and adaptive species and 750 trees were planted on-lot as part of the project. Both buildings are in the process of receiving LEED Platinum certification from USGBC. All of these new facilities are available to our employees and clients to enjoy.”
There’s also been growth in stages at Universal Studios over the years. Stone noted, “Since 2016, we have constructed 14 new sound stages on the Universal Lot and upgraded many others. The new stages are 18,000 square feet for versatility though there are sets of stages that have internal elephant doors to create one 36,000 square foot space. As of today, we have 34 sound stages plus a Virtual Production Stage with a ROE LED Wall for car process shots and marketing shoots.”
Universal has also furthered its state-of-the-art status in sound mixing. Stone noted that in 2022 the Hitchcock Mixing Stage opened featuring a 96-fader, dual operator Avid S6 console and 9 Ring Atmos system using Meyer Sound speakers and a Christie CP 4440 4k Laser Cinema Projector. “Not only is this an amazing space to mix a feature in, the Stage is surrounded by additional work areas for the production staff, especially the director. The lobby area is two stories with lounges, a conference room, kitchen, and private offices. This is a comfortable space with abundant natural light where people can do their best work productively. Clients have responded well to this stage. Some of the films that have mixed there include Universal Pictures’ Fast X and Monkey Man as well as Netflix’s Bardo and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.
“We are also in the process of bringing on-line a new postproduction facility called Stage 5 that will have three television mixing stages, a Digital Intermediate suite, and one color bay. The design is very much influenced by the success of the Hitchcock Mixing Stage, combining the best technical features with upscale lounge and kitchen areas with oversized windows.”
Expansion has also been integral to NBCUniversal StudioPost where award-winning creative talent comes together with leading-edge technology to help clients achieve their vision, said Stone. “The group provides sound, picture, and Avid services for features, television, streaming, and trailer productions. Just a few of the productions we have been working on include Teacup, Hunting Party, Mr. Throwback, The Irrational for NBCUniversal and external productions such as the Max Original series from Warner Bros. Television, Sex Lives of College Girls, and Amazon’s Fallout.”
The push is not only to develop world class facilities on-lot but ease of access to them from creatives physically elsewhere. Stone observed, “With the pace of production, creatives are not always able to come to the lot for color or mixing sessions. We developed secure remote review capabilities so that the NBCUniversal StudioPost talent can be on-lot and our clients can participate in the session in real time with accurate color and sound. It maximizes the limited time productions have while still maintaining uncompromising quality. Additionally, we have begun expansion of our NBCUniversal StudioPost services to our other hub locations with the recent launch of on-set dailies at our Atlanta Assembly Studio location.”
Stone affirmed that all these state-of-the-art infrastructure investments benefit the entire creative community–creatives in the Universal family and those outside that family. For example, he noted, “Our new dining facilities are open to clients on-lot. The theaters are available to screen filmmakers’ content. The Event Center is ready to host their receptions and wrap parties. These new buildings are also new filming locations for productions All locations on the Universal Lot are filming locations.”
At press time, Stone noted that “on-lot right now, we have multiple NBCUniversal television shows as well as third-party productions. Our services are open to all productions. One example that comes to mind is a Wonderland/Skydance production for Apple TV+ that shot recently. Universal has been a strong supporter of AICP and its members for over 20 years. Recent commercial clients on-lot include Arts & Sciences with Little Caesars, Biscuit with Wayfair, and O Positive with Consumer Cellular. We have projects from other studios, networks, and streamers film at the Universal Studios Lot.”
This Universal hospitality isn’t confined to its Southern California accommodations. “At Universal, we want to be a welcoming creative home for all filmmakers,” said Stone. “The investments in the Universal Lot in Los Angeles along with the expansion across the U.S. and U.K. including Assembly Studios showcase that Universal continues to be an incredible resource for all filmmakers.”
Stone added, “Earlier this year, we launched Universal Production Services at Assembly Studios, a brand new state-of-the-art 19 sound stage production facility just north of Atlanta. This is a great location in Doraville inside the Atlanta perimeter and just 45 minutes from the airport. We manage this property in partnership with Gray Media, the site owner and developer. This is a full-service studio with set lighting & grip, costume, transportation, a sign & fabrication shop, an expendables store plus production offices, dressing rooms, rehearsal halls, mill spaces, and a commissary. We have already had several internal and external productions at the studio including Fight Night and Teacup. Along with all of the production services, we also have postproduction dailies service on-lot through our Global Post Workers group.”
Furthermore as part of the Assembly Studios footprint, there is Third Rail Studios, a three-stage boutique studio facility with mill and office space.
“Assembly is the next phase of expansion for Universal Production Services with the goal of having a strong presence in key production areas across the U.S. and U.K., continued Stone. “In addition to our stages and services in Los Angeles at Universal Studios, we have services based in Albuquerque, Chicago, New York, and now Assembly Studios in Atlanta.”
