Sunset Studios has created a new area of premium standing sets on its Sunset Las Palmas Studios lot in Hollywood designed for the production of microdramas. Knockout Shorts, the vertical media studio recently launched by actor Matthew Ko, has been a partner in the design and construction of the initial sets.
Per the company, Sunset Studios developed the sets to “meet the evolving needs of modern content creators,” providing them with efficient, production-ready environments that can be used for both traditional film and TV shoots as well as microdramas — another indication that the fast-growing vertical content format built around 60- to 90-second episodes — is here to stay.
“These standing sets are about removing friction from the production process,” said Sean Griffin, senior VP of sales at Sunset Studios. “Creators can walk onto a completely built and fully lit high-quality set and start shooting right away, while also enjoying the infrastructure and support of a premier Hollywood studio lot.”
The sets housed within an 8,000-square-foot soundstage include built-out environments like a courtroom, apartment, bar, restaurant, hospital and office, all of which include a pre-lit grid. Elements of the sets are repurposed from former major studio productions, offering a sustainability benefit in addition to aiding in production.
“Our goal in designing these sets in partnership with Sunset Studios is to empower creators with speed, flexibility and production value,” said Ko and actor-producer Chris Crema, co-founders of Knockout Shorts.
The venture is in the midst of producing at least one microdrama series under SAG-AFTRA’s newly established vertical media production agreement. “These sets are designed to serve both the next generation of storytellers and established productions looking for efficiency without compromising quality,” Ko and Crema said.
Sunset Studios has grown into one of Hollywood’s largest production services and facilities provider; it also owns the Quixote equipment and transportation service firm. Sunset Studios is owned by the giant Hudson Pacific real estate investment trust.