Production Factory Studios Opens in NoHo

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - Like the phoenix rising from ashes, Production Factory Studios transformed a dusty, out-of-business video store and under-utilized office space near the North Hollywood Arts District into a state-of-the-art production facility that began receiving bookings even before it officially opened its doors.

Located less than a mile from Burbank Airport and a 20-minute drive from Hollywood, the studio encompasses more than 2,500 square feet of usable space. Twenty-year adult-industry cameraman, writer and director Ross Cannon said the facility represents the realization of one of his dreams.

"I've always wanted to do this," he told GAYVN. "I've been looking for a spot for years," but never found the backing and an ideal location at the same time until recently, when the people behind Marina Pacific Distributors stepped in to help provide a place that would suit the needs of both adult and mainstream production companies.

Cannon took the lead in designing and building the studio and will manage its two soundstages and green room/craft services area.

"I had all the resources I needed to construct a great facility-and that's exactly what we ended up with," he noted.  Cannon added: "I hope all my friends in the industry will come by and take a look.  We're ready to make their movies look great."

Production Factory's expansive digs include a 1,600-square-foot soundstage with 13-foot ceilings and an overhead light grid for easy, tailored lighting. A separate 650-square-foot studio with a 10-foot by 12-foot white, hard-wall cyclorama and a mini-makeup station, and a comfortably furnished "green room" add extra dimensions to both convenience and utilitarianism.

The green room includes a craft-services area with a full-size refrigerator, generous storage and counter space and a comfy cast lounge outfitted with a 37-inch, Dish Network-connected flat-screen TV with DVD player. It is completely separated from the stages by solid walls, which not only makes "down time" more relaxing for the cast, but also lowers the ambient noise level on the set during shooting.

Speaking of noise levels: Both stages are thoroughly sound-proofed, which Cannon said is a rarity among facilities offered to adult-industry studios. Also uncommon for the market: a WiMAX Internet uplink that provides broadband speed for live Web streaming. Adult Webmaster Empire utilized that feature this week, streaming live video to its website from a shoot at Production Factory. AWE spokesperson Katie Smith called the experience "awesome."

The facility also includes a well-lit makeup room with dual seats, a business office equipped with a fax machine and wireless Internet access, and three bathrooms (one with a shower). Behind the building is a secure parking area surrounded by a high, opaque fence with an electronic gate. According to Jet Set Men partner Chris Steele, who will shoot a new movie at Production Factory during the second week in June, the fenced area not only provides plenty of room for parking light trucks and other vehicles, but also doubles as a smoking lounge for cast members who "forget" they are naked and wander outside for a cigarette.

Steele said he's looking forward to the shoot not only because the facility is laid out conveniently, but also because it has a permanent set he has lusted after since he toured the site: a 12-foot by five-foot "monsoon" shower with five shower heads. The light grid above the shower's white tile makes the set easy to color for a host of purposes, he noted.

Production Factory's set library is somewhat limited at present, but the facility only opened in June. Cannon said he intends to populate the set library with custom-built environments that fall outside the realm of the usual. There will be no bedrooms or living rooms (unless a client studio specifically requests one be custom-designed). The first two sets on Cannon's list are an alleyway and a locker room.

"We're trying to build things other people don't have," he said.

He also said he intends for Production Factory to offer unparalleled customer service. He indicated studios can find almost any service they need on Production Factory's menu, and since he is on the property "all the time," even last-minute requests can be handled quickly and without undue stress. Because he has worked in several capacities within the industry for two decades, he tries to anticipate needs and desires before they become crises.

"Once the production company gets here, I think of myself as the concierge," he said.

The studio can be reached by phone at (818) 623-8190.