Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Cinespace Studios’ new Woodland Hills complex on Monday, a departure from her typical practice of not attending grand openings for local businesses. The studio is located more than 25 miles from City Hall.
A Boost for the Local Economy
Mayor Bass emphasized the importance of investment in the entertainment industry for the Los Angeles economy. She stated, “When we invest in the [entertainment] industry, the industry invests in Los Angeles, and I think it’s important that we always educate Angelenos to all of the ways the industry impacts our economy, all of the ancillary businesses, and all of the economic growth that happens when industry stays here and films here.” Bass also attended the opening of East Finish Studios’ new Mission Campus in January.
The new 180,000-square-foot Cinespace campus features six 18,000-square-foot soundstages with 30-foot clearances, along with 72,000 square feet of production offices and support space. The thriller “Nightwatching,” starring Mila Kunis, began filming on Stages 2 and 3 in early February.
A Turnkey Operation in the Valley
Cinespace co-CEO Eoin Egan explained the company sought a location in Los Angeles around 2022 that would function as a “turnkey ‘one-stop shop.’” The studio is located on Victory Boulevard in a retail district, with nearby businesses including a deli, liquor store, nail salon, and Home Depot.
Egan noted that many heads of department in the industry live in the West Valley and Studio City, creating potential synergies. The location also has a history in production, previously being part of Warner Ranch where Westerns were filmed in the 1930s and 40s, and serving as a location for projects like “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Licorice Pizza” more recently.
Navigating a Changing Production Landscape
The opening comes at a time of contraction in the entertainment industry, following a post-pandemic boom and impacted by the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, as well as recent IATSE and Teamster contract renegotiations. This situation underscored the need for support of California’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program 4.0, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in July 2025.
The revised tax credit program raised the annual cap to $750 million and increased the base tax credit to 35%-40% on qualified expenditures. As of January 2026, 119 projects had been approved under the program, estimated to generate 25,000 crew hires and $4.1 billion in economic activity. Mayor Bass also issued an executive directive in May 2025 to promote film-friendly policies.
Despite these efforts, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation’s 2026 Annual Economic Forecast indicated sound stage occupancy dipped to 63% in 2024, while sound stage square footage grew by 53% between 2020, and 2025.
California Film Commission executive director Colleen Bell expressed optimism, stating, “When a project is accepted into [California’s incentive] program, they have 180 days to start principal photography, so you’re not going to see an instant spike…There’s a gradual increase of production taking place, so stages will start to fill up slowly, but it’s happening.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the size of the new Cinespace Studios Los Angeles campus?
The new campus is 180,000 square feet, featuring six 18,000-square-foot soundstages and 72,000 square feet of production offices and support space.
When did Cinespace Studios begin looking for a location in Los Angeles?
Cinespace Studios began looking for a site in Los Angeles around 2022.
What did Mayor Karen Bass say about the importance of the entertainment industry to Los Angeles?
Mayor Bass stated that investment in the entertainment industry leads to investment in Los Angeles, and emphasized the economic impact and growth that the industry brings to the city.
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, how might studios like Cinespace Studios adapt to changing production trends and maintain a competitive edge in Los Angeles?
