Interview

Producer

The Studio Giant You’ve Never Heard Of: How MBS Group Powers James Cameron and Some of Hollywood’s Biggest Productions

You might not recognize the name The MBS Group right away, but if you ever wandered through legendary studio lots like Radford Studio Center, Culver Studios, Raleigh Studios, or Symmetry Park Studios London, you’ve stepped onto one of the nearly 50 studio campuses they operate globally. The company is the world’s largest studio operator, running top-tier campuses in iconic entertainment hubs like Los Angeles, New York, and London. But they’re not just renting out space — they’re the behind-the-scenes powerhouse designing studios,

By Daron James  |  August 28, 2025
Building Hollywood’s Village: HPA President Kari Grubin on Community, Innovation, and Change

Since 2002, the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) has been committed to supporting and advancing the media and entertainment industry. Renowned for events like the HPA Tech Retreat, where professionals discuss the intersection of creativity and cutting-edge workflows, and the HPA Awards, which celebrate groundbreaking artistry and innovation across the entertainment industry, the association plays a vital role in facilitating knowledge and fostering collaborative environments to move the industry forward.

By Daron James  |  August 13, 2025
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,

By Daron James  |  July 1, 2025

Interview

The Great Escape: How Wrapbook is Freeing Hollywood from Payroll Hell

Wrapbook was founded with the idea of streamlining payroll and accounting services for the entertainment industry. Since its inception in 2018, the company has made significant strides in achieving this goal by creating a platform that seamlessly combines onboarding, payroll processing, expense tracking, and real-time financial reporting within a single interface.

“At Wrapbook, what’s really been coming together is the integrated experience for a company between payroll, accounts payable, and accounting.

By Daron James  |  July 1, 2025
From “Seven” to “Karate Kid: Legends”: How Central City Association of Los Angeles Champions Downtown LA’s Star Power

Nella McOsker is the President and CEO of Central City Association of Los Angeles (CCA), an advocacy group for businesses and organizations in downtown LA. I reached out to discuss how filmmaking impacts local businesses downtown during a particularly hectic time, when McOsker, like the rest of the city, was navigating the recent protests that spread across the city. “There’s a way to channel what they’re experiencing or feeling and the values they want to uphold towards supporting small businesses,” McOsker said.

By Daron James  |  June 30, 2025

Interview

Props

From “Forest Gump” to “Oppenheimer”: How Iconic Prop House History for Hire Helps Hollywood Frame the Past

Let’s get this out of the way. History For Hire, the iconic prop house that’s been a staple in the Hollywood community since 1985, is open for business. People started to question its future, flooding owners Pam and Jim Elyea with inquiries after The New York Times published an article dramatizing a potential closure. “It was a beautiful article, but I just wish it didn’t say ‘Waiting for the Axe to Fall’

By Daron James  |  June 2, 2025

Interview

Avengers, Assemble the Goonies! How SetJetters Connects Movie Fans to Their Favorite Film & TV Locations

We chat with two of SetJetters co-founders about creating the ultimate travel guide for the cinephile and TV lover.

By Daron James  |  May 6, 2025