Hollywood Center Studios‘ Virtual Stage provided the shooting location for an on-air promotional campaign for “JFL XXX — The Ultimate Nasty Show,” a live comedy special broadcast this month on The Movie Network in Canada. The stage’s proprietary virtual set technology offered the producers an efficient and cost effective means for completing the project by allowing them to create two sets, literally at the touch of a button.nnThe campaign was directed by Linda Mendoza, known for her work on “The Chris Rock Show,” “The Brothers Garcia” and “Ugly Betty,” and features Bob Saget, former star of the sit-com Full House and a stand-up comic, revered for his biting and frequently off-color humor. nnIn one spot, “In Therapy,” Saget appears in a therapist’s office and talks with his doctor about the dilemma of being associated both with wholesome family comedies and the raunchiest sort of humor—while speaking in language that has to be frequently bleeped out. JFL XXX celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival held annually in Montreal.nn
nnThe therapist’s office featured in the spot was a custom-designed virtual set created with Hollywood Center Studios‘ powerful virtual set engine. Other spots employed limbo environments generated with the same proprietary virtual set technology. “It was great, because it put everything at our fingertips,” Mendoza recalled. “We were able to change sets, without moving any furniture. It worked creatively and it also worked for our budget.”nnMendoza added that having green room, hair and make-up facilities adjacent to the Virtual Stage also made it a convenient place to shoot. “We were in an out in six hours,” she said. “It was a great experience.”nnThe production was overseen by creative teams from Astral Media, parent of The Movie Network, and from “Just For Laughs.”nnAbout Hollywood Center StudiosnHollywood Center Studios has a rich and colorful history that mirrors the development of Hollywood and the growth of the entertainment industry. The studio has played host to some of the most notable productions of the past century, including such iconic television shows as I Love Lucy, The Addams Family, Jeopardy and Mad TV, and classic film productions such as When Harry Met Sally and The Player. In recent years, Hollywood Center Studios has continued to grow and modernize to support its large television clientele which includes Disney (“The Wizards of Waverly Place,” “Jessie”) and HBO (“True Blood”). Hollywood Center Studios remains a vital part of the Hollywood community and a place where entertainment history continues to be made every day.nnHollywood Center Studios is located at 1040 N. Las Palmas Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90038. For more information, call (323) 860-0000 or visit www.hollywoodcenter.com.Jerry Cole Virtual Set Operations Hollywood Center Studios 323.860.0000 Contact Jerry via email
Contact:Linda Rosner ArtisansPR 310.837.6008 Contact Linda via email
Who Needs Los Angeles? We Do.
One doesn’t have to be a statistician to know that there are fewer commercials being shot in the U.S. today for the American market than ever before, and a dramatic decrease in L.A. in particular. In the last five years, as reported by FilmLA (the office tasked with issuing permits), L.A. commercial production has dipped 31 percent. But here’s the thing: This doesn’t mean that L.A. has lost its importance as the production center of the world. Production in L.A. is vital. It is the go-to. It’s where you can count on access to exemplary crews, a support infrastructure second to none, varied location and backlot options, a large population of on-screen talent and (fairly) predictable weather. The fact is, with overall decline and now the devastation of the fires, we’re on the brink of losing this mainstay resource. Without employment opportunities and now many without homes, talented and trained crew are bound to leave either the industry or the LA area for other opportunities, unless there are enough job opportunities to sustain a solid living. Now is the time when we ALL must support and bolster this community. Production is needed in L.A., now! Of course, advertising is a business, and marketers’ money should be spent as efficiently as possible, BUT we have to think beyond each production and know that if we lose the incredible resource of L.A. production as we know it, then marketers, agencies and the industry loses in the long run. Over the past several days, some agencies have issued directives to production companies that are unilaterally pushing upcoming production options out of L.A. The fact is L.A. is a large area, and many sections of the city and county are not directly... Read More