Savannah made simple
Savannah made simple

Lights, Camera, Action! SCAD Opens New Film Backlot

 

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) introduces its latest jewel, the Savannah Film Studios backlot. This groundbreaking backlot is not just your ordinary film set, it’s a transformative space that is bringing dreams and ambitions to life. More than just a mere set, this extraordinary space is a testament to the power of SCAD’s dreams, and you can feel the transformative energy that pulses through every corner.

Phase One of the backlot has been completed as part of a significant 11-acre, three-phase expansion project. This expansion sets a new benchmark, as it is now the largest and most comprehensive film studio complex at any university in the country. Two additional soundstages, as well as production design and costume design shops, have been included in this expansion.

In addition, a state-of-the-art LED volume for virtual productions was opened in close proximity to the backlot in 2021.

Walking around the campus, you can’t help but be in awe of the scale and scope of this project. From the students bustling around the backlot to the incredible infrastructure that has been put in place, it’s clear that SCAD means business when it comes to providing hands-on learning experiences for their students.

Trip Tolleson, President and CEO of Savannah Economic Authority, shares his thoughts on SCAD’s commitment to hands-on learning, stating, “It becomes evident that SCAD understands the importance of hands-on learning and preparing their students for the professional world.”

DW Moffett, Chair of Film and Television, emphasizes how SCAD’s early integration of practical experiences benefits students, saying, “Because it serves our kind of core duty, which is [to] prepare talented students for professional careers. So the fact that we are pushing that whole construct earlier into their life is better for them.”

Despite all the benefits to the film industry, Savannah Film Studios is a student-driven venture, as mentioned by Andra Reeve-Rabb, Dean of the School of Film and Acting. She states, “Natalie Portman was here, shooting May December she came into our LED volume. And she said, ‘This is crazy. The first time I stepped on an LED volume was doing Thor Ragnarok a year ago, and SCAD students are getting it as freshmen.'”

Trip Tolleson further emphasizes the industry’s excitement, saying, “So there’s a great buzz throughout the industry right now about this and the more SCAD gets to show it off, the better received it is going to be. You gotta remember, this is only phase one, and there’s two more phases coming with this.”

But it’s not just about the backlot itself. It’s about the community that has been built around it. Tolleson acknowledges the importance of the infrastructure put in place, stating, “We’ve got a lot of great film opportunities, but we lacked some of the infrastructure that was necessary to carry out a lot of these efforts.”

Andra Reeve-Rabb praises the scope and attention to detail at Savannah Film Studios, saying, “Frankly, anyone who comes out here and sees it cannot believe the scope of it. And the detail work and the structures themselves, how incredible it is. These are true buildings with air conditioning, and the infrastructure is just perfect.”

In phase one of the backlot, there are 17 distinct street facades that closely resemble Savannah’s historic district. These facades cover a combined area of more than 4,500 square feet, providing ample space for dressed sets. The facades include a variety of structures, such as historic Savannah homes, a café, a pub, retail spaces for hardware and antiques, a boutique, a barber shop, a versatile lobby that can be used for hotels or hospitals, complete with an exterior porte-cochère and automatic doors, and a double-height bank building with an interior overlook on its eastern side.

With plans for expansion, Andra Reeve-Rabb reveals, “Right now, we’re looking at this 11-acre expansion and it’s going up so quickly. You know, we were just laughing about the fact that every time we come out here, there’s a new structure. So what’s next is New York City, and that’s what we’re building.”

Phase two will include Brooklyn brownstones, an urban alley, a bodega, upscale retail shops, a trendy Manhattan coffeehouse, and a classic “Big Apple” subway entrance. Additionally, Phase Two will introduce a 17,000 square-foot support building that will house three production classrooms, a costume shop, a production wood/machine shop, and additional classrooms.

Moving forward, phase three is set to open in Fall 2025. This phase will bring a town square, a city hall, a single-family home, a convenience store, and other facades to the backlot. Additionally, a 23,700 square-foot support building will be constructed to accommodate two sound stages, eight classrooms, and office space.

“This is an important and a very timely addition to our entertainment production infrastructure,” Tolleson shares. “And so this is going to be a game changer for our region. And secondly, SCAD does a great job as they prepare students are they for these roles, whether it’s in film production, or series, episodic stuff, so we’re excited. We’re on it, can’t wait to start sending folks over there to us in partnership with SCAD students. So yeah, we’re really excited.”

DW Moffett highlights the importance of the soundstage, saying, “These will be 30 feet high. It is a game changer because the anchor for any television show is a soundstage. Location-based TV shows are incredibly rare. There are examples of them. But the model is usually, ‘You guys are a married couple. Here’s your living room. Here’s the kitchen, the two heroes.’ That’s where we shoot 60 percent of our show that will live in a soundstage. My guess is that in 18 months, one of those soundstages will have a production into which I am fitting students on a daily basis.”

Andra Reeve-Rabb highlights the positive impact, stating, “Todd Haynes came with a documentary to one to two years ago Velvet Underground, and he premiered it as part of Scott Feinberg’s Hollywood Reporter. He fell in love with SCAD, with Savannah, with the community here, with the students here. And because of that, he ended up deciding to change the location for his movie May December from Maine to Savannah, and he rewrote it so that it was Savannah, and that movie is a love letter to Savannah.”

DW Moffett sums it up perfectly, “The enthusiasm surrounding the backlot is a testament to its potential impact.

It serves as a breeding ground for creativity and innovation, fostering an environment that allows students to thrive. The dedication showcased by the SCAD community is a testament to their commitment to excellence and their passion for the film industry.”

So brace yourselves, because Savannah Film Studios is here to stay. It’s not just a backlot, it’s a whole new world of creativity and innovation. The positive energy and passion that surround this project are infectious, and it’s clear that SCAD has created something truly special. Get ready for lights, camera, and plenty of action in Savannah’s exciting film industry future.

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