L.A. Seems Soundstage Boom Even as Dark Clouds Loom Over Hollywood
variety.comTodd Longwell A few years ago, grip-turned-producer Brian Gork and cinematographer Richard Swindell got the idea they could open their own soundstage complex. “We wanted to design a stage that would essentially be something that would be recommended from every department — art, electric or whoever,” says Gork.
Back in the 2000s, it might’ve remained just a crazy, unrealized dream. But thanks to the spike in demand for content created by the streaming explosion, Gork and Swindell made their dream a reality with AKS Stages, which the duo co-owns with Sean Pascale.
Located in northeastern Los Angeles neighborhood of Sun Valley, it has three soundstages totaling 52,000 square feet, along with 18,100 square feet of production offices and workspace.
Since opening in early 2020, it’s hosted everything from two seasons of Netflix’s “Bake Off” to the Disney+ special “Olivia Rodrigo: Driving Home 2 u (a SOUR film).” AKS Stages is part of a larger soundstage boom.
Read more on variety.com