Stage-2, a new studio facility offering more than 10,000 square feet of production space, including a 6,000 square foot stage, is scheduled to formally open on May 1 in Culver City. The complex is owned by Stage-2LLC, a new partnership company formed by bicoastal/international entertainment marketing communications firm Pittard Sullivan and Southern California real estate and holding company Samitaur Constructs.
Stage-2-which will be available for spot, music video, feature, TV and digital projects-is located adjacent to but separate from Pittard Sullivan’s Culver City headquarters. Stage-2 will be run by facility manager Art Satren who owned and operated his own Southland company, Art Satren Studio Consultants, since ’97.
From ’90-’97, Satren was the director of studio operations for Occidental Studios of Los Angeles, a full-service studio that provided space for film, TV, music video and commercial projects. From ’85 to ’90, Satren was a member of the facilities and production staff of Hollywood Center Studios.
Stage-2’s stage is 63 feet wide, 92 feet long, with a grid height of 24 feet. The facility offers dressing rooms, production offices, a green room, star dressing rooms, power facilities, wardrobe, makeup and hair departments, kitchen facilities and ample parking. The stage also sports a full production pipe grid, dual power, optional grip and lighting packages, scissor and man lifts, and a two-sided cyc that is 122 feet long and 22 feet high.
Pittard Sullivan, with offices in Culver City, New York, London, Munich and Hong Kong, is headed by CEO/president Billy Pittard and president/CEO Ed Sullivan. Frederick Samitaur Smith and Laurie Samitaur Smith are founder and president, respectively, of Samitaur Constructs.
Director Jack Begert Joins Biscuit For His First Commercial Representation In U.S. & U.K.
Biscuit Filmworks has added filmmaker Jack Begert to its roster in the U.S. and U.K. This marks Begertโs first representation in advertising, building upon his acclaimed work in music video and film. He is best known for his striking aesthetic and surreal use of visual effects, displayed in his feature film debut Little Death, which won the NEXT Innovator Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The film stars David Schwimmer, Gaby Hoffman, Dominic Fike, and Talia Ryder, and was produced by Darren Aronofsky.
Miami-born and L.A.-based, the USC Film School graduate began his career in VFX and as an editor. Begert has worked with iconic musical artists including Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Flying Lotus, Childish Gambino, and Olivia Rodrigo, and has independently directed international campaigns for brands such as Apple, Converse, New Era, and Reebok.
Shawn Lacy, founding partner of Biscuit Filmworks, said of Begert, โWe are such fans of his work--and of him as a creator, thinker, collaborator, and great guy.โ
โMy creative approach is often about trying to discover something unexpected in the filmmaking process,โ said Begert. โBiscuit is a place where I can bring my own perspective to the work and still feel supported. That philosophy is clear from the talent they represent, and Iโm excited to join their roster.โ
โJackโs work blew me away the moment I first saw it,โ said Rupert Reynolds-Maclean, managing director at Biscuit Filmworks UK. โHe is a modern young director who clearly cares deeply about both craft and the necessity for it in his storytelling. Everything always pushes the narrative forward. Weโre looking forward to making great work together.โ
Read More