Sylmar Studios: Hollywood’s New Production Powerhouse Built for the Modern Era
Sylmar Studios, a new 230,000-square-foot production facility, has opened its doors in the San Fernando Valley. The state-of-the-art facility offers six soundstages, production offices, support for dressing rooms, wardrobe, green rooms, and a substantial lighting and grip department, along with a massive 600-space parking structure. The studio is also set to receive MPA’s Trusted Partner Network certification, a program designed to meet strict security standards in the media and entertainment industry.
Since opening in January 2025, the studio has been making waves for operating as a “green studio” with a “zero waste initiative” and was selected for a Community Impact Award at the Los Angeles Business Council’s Architectural Awards. Tony Guanci serves as CEO, but day-to-day operations are led by President and General Manager Patrick Dempsey, an industry veteran with 40 years of experience in the entertainment industry.
“It’s not often that you get to build something from the ground up, and at Sylmar Studios, our business model is that you run our soundstages. You have everything at your fingertips to carry on your production, and we’re here to support you,” Dempsey tells The Credits.
As a member of the California Production Coalition, Sylmar Studios is actively engaged in keeping productions in the state. The facility is already expanding, with two more soundstages expected to open in 2026, and plans to expand to Kentucky, where two new soundstages are in development.
We spoke to Dempsey about bringing a boutique approach to Hollywood productions.
There are numerous studios throughout Los Angeles. What separates Sylmar Studios from competitors?
Well, one important attribute that is often overlooked is parking. We have a 600-space parking structure, and that’s something I’m most excited about. Another thing that differentiates us from some of our competitors is that our stages are purpose-built. So, they have catwalks and perms. We have a central plant for above-industry-standard silent air conditioning and really nice production offices, almost too nice. And what we’re really leaning on is our staff.
How so?
Since Sylmar Studios is a brand-new company, hiring a staff of people I’ve worked with, worked for, or have always wanted to work with has been very rewarding. We’re compiling this dream team of sorts. We did a calculation a couple of months ago, and we’ve exceeded 300 years of experience in the entertainment business. It really is about the people. And a lot of us have been in physical production. So, we get both sides of the story and really know how to best support a show.
What did you learn from other studios that you wanted to improve upon at Sylmar?
I’ve been in the business for 40 years, and the first 20 were in physical production. So, literally, I’m a production manager, or a line producer-type person. I joined operations at DreamWorks in 1999, when they were planning to build the studio in Playa Vista. Between being in production and then working for five major motion picture studios, you end up picking up the best bits and pieces that work well, and then you improve upon them.
Our goal is that once we get a show, we want them to come back a second time. Quite honestly, it’s less about the infrastructure because it tends to be rather formulaic. Dimensionally, the sound stages are kind of the same. But philosophically, how you treat the productions is really most important. And we’re trying our best to be as production-friendly as possible. We like happy clients.
What do you consider production-friendly?
It’s really about understanding what our clients need and how to best facilitate them. It’s a strange business to be in because, on one hand, you have to operate and run your business with the goal of creating revenue. But at the same time, you’re servicing an entity that’s an artistic endeavor, right? Whereas for them, the more money that they put up on the screen and the more production value they achieve, the better for them. You really have to accommodate as best you can, but still keep your business performing well.
Is there a particular vibe Sylmar Studios is creating?
What’s resonating right now is the fact that we consider ourselves a boutique. We may not have the history right now, but we’re really committed to being a boutique studio. We want our clients to feel like they’re not the big fish in a small pond, or the small fish in a big pond. We want them to feel like the perfect-sized fish in the perfect-sized pond. A strange analogy, but it’s a good way to explain what we stand for.
Sylmar Studios recently showed support for increased tax credits. What makes production in California different?
The infrastructure is here. Not to criticize anyone else in Europe, Canada, or elsewhere, it’s just that there’s great talent there. But really, the best crew and technicians reside in Los Angeles, and also a majority of the talent. There are some production facilities out there that are talent-friendly and have good crews, but the best production facilities, equipment, and crews are based here in California. I’m a fourth-generation Los Angeles native, and selfishly, I’m not going anywhere. And I hope it all comes back. I think things are going to change drastically. I remember back in the ’90s, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. There were a lot of empty stages. Additionally, the proposed AB 630 bill will offer an additional 5% tax incentive to productions that shoot within an opportunity zone, which Sylmar Studios is located in.
What can productions expect when they choose Sylmar Studios?
We really want them to feel that we treat your show like it’s our own. Studio operations are a part of the production team when you’re trying to support them. Our job is to support the departments in any way possible so they can get their job done effectively. Whether it’s just air conditioning, great customer service, or our digital network, which by the way is pretty incredible.
The entire property is digitally interconnected. The offices are connected to the stages. The stages are connected to the base camp. Everything is interwoven and it’s completely switchable, programmable, and customizable. Each production has its own private IDF room. Our IT team came up with something that’s very special that dovetails into the Trusted Partners Network, which is a Motion Picture Association program, and we’re going to be the first independent for-rent studio that has that certification.
Can you share what the Trusted Partners Network entails?
The Trusted Partners Network safeguards several key things. Not only the physical people and the overall security of physical property, but keeping our clients’ intellectual and proprietary property safe and sound. So, there are protocols that you have to follow and strict audits that guarantee you have a robust security program both physically and digitally.
Sylmar Studios announced a partnership in Louisville, Kentucky. How did that come about?
Our CEO, Tony Guanci, has had his eye on the Louisville Gardens for a while, which is an armory built 100 years ago. It’s an amazing building. So, he made a deal with the local government, and we’re building two 20,000-foot sound stages within the armory building. Kentucky has a robust tax incentive program and no sound stages. It has a lot of interesting culture, from the food to bourbon and great locations. There are lots of things going on over there, and the people are super nice and excited about the project. And don’t forget the Kentucky Derby!
How large of a production can Sylmar Studios currently support?
For this first phase, which we’re calling the main campus, we can accommodate either one large feature or two television projects. The good thing about Sylmar Studios is that all of our stages are interconnected. So, if you open up the internal elephant doors, you can actually create larger spaces. The two additional stages at Sylmar Studios will be ready towards the end of the first quarter of 2026. That will include two 20,000-square-foot stages and a mill. We welcome music videos, commercials, band rehearsals, and independent films. We don’t turn away anyone.
Featured image: Sylmar Studios.
