Day 99

February 11, 2020

The main lobby at LA Center Studios. The original building, which was completed in 1958 as the Union Oil Center is located in Downtown Los Angeles, just west of the 110 freeway. When Union Oil, the original builders, decided to relocate to El Segundo in the late 90’s the building was empty and close to being demolished. A group of investors took over and turned it into a studio. They built sound stages in the surrounding property but kept the high-rise and the two low-rise wings. The studio was opened in 1999. Every square inch of the property is available to shoot in. From the offices, to the lobby, to the underground parking structure. I’ve worked here a few times. Because of the original intent for the building, it isn’t exactly the easiest place to work out of, mostly if your department requires a lot of space and a lot of transporting of equipment and such. Location-wise it’s really great when you’re doing a show that takes place in an urban environment. But I’m biased, as I prefer anywhere that allows for my department to be based on the ground level.