Chicago-based Periscope Post & Audio has expanded to the West Coast, opening a 22,000 square foot sound and picture finishing facility in Hollywood. The new site will offer a full range of post services including dailies, editorial, color grading, sound editing and mixing. Key resources include a theatrical mix stage with Dolby Atmos capability, three additional mix stages for home theater and streaming content, also Atmos capable, and five color grading and finishing suites, two with 4K capability to be certified for Dolby Vision. The Hollywood shop also features an ADR Stage as well as production and editorial office space available on a short- and long-term basis.
The new facility will target broadcast and streaming television content as well as high-quality independent features. “We want to build on relationships we’ve forged with producers in Chicago and extend our reach further into the television and feature markets,” said Periscope Post & Audio co-owner Michael Nehs. “We have been looking for the right property for several years, one that is convenient to studios and production companies, and big enough to support full-service solutions. We also wanted a space that would allow us to build large mix stages, which we believe are badly needed. This space offers all that and room to grow.”
To lead the Hollywood facility, Periscope has appointed veteran postproduction executive Ben Benedetti as general manager. Benedetti, whose background includes executive posts with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Ascent Media, will oversee daily operations, direct strategic planning, and develop sales and growth plans. “I’ve worked with Ben in the past and it was a wonderful experience,” Nehs said. “He offers deep expertise in every facet of postproduction and is very well connected to the studios and streaming companies.” Additional staffing will be announced soon.
Benedetti said that Periscope is seeking to capitalize on the surge in production by streaming services and has built a facility to meet that segment of the market’s technical and creative needs. “We want to support directors and producers in achieving their creative visions,” he noted. “We understand their requirements and will cater to them.”
The Hollywood facility’s two 4K grading theaters feature Black Magic Design Da Vinci Resolve systems with added support for Dolby Vision color correction and IMF delivery. They also include Avid and Adobe Premier platforms for editorial conforming. The three other color grading suites offer similar set ups with Da Vinci Resolve, Avid and Premier technology. Dailies processing and look development services are also available onsite.
The large theatrical mix stage is anchored by an Avid S6 digital console supported by Avid Pro Tools workstations. It is capable of mixing in Dolby Atmos for theatrical release. The other three mix stages are also equipped with Avid S6 consoles and Pro Tools systems, and are set up to mix in Dolby Atmos for streaming and home theatre. Additionally, the facility has two sound design suites and four sound editorial suites. A second ADR room will be added next year.
The facility also includes 42 rental unit spaces that can function as production offices or editing rooms. For productions wishing to take up residence at the site, Periscope can provide editing systems, networked storage, communication, infrastructure and technical support.
Periscope Post & Audio launched in Chicago in 2013 and has enjoyed rapid growth while servicing episodic television, independent features and other projects.
