Sunset Studios has created a new area of premium standing sets designed for microdrama productions at the Sunset Las Palmas Studios property in Hollywood. Knockout Shorts, a vertical media studio recently launched by actor Matthew Coe, is a partner in the initial set design and construction.
According to the company, Sunset Studios developed the set to “meet the evolving needs of modern content creators,” providing an efficient, production-ready environment that can be used for traditional film and television shoots as well as microdramas. This is another sign that the fast-growing vertical content format built around 60- to 90-second episodes is here to stay.
“These standing sets are meant to take the friction out of the production process,” said Sean Griffin, senior vice president of sales at Sunset Studios. “Creators can step onto a fully built, fully lit, high-quality set and start filming right away, while also enjoying the infrastructure and support of Hollywood’s top studios.”
Housed within an 8,000-square-foot soundstage, the set includes built environments such as a courtroom, apartment building, bar, restaurant, hospital, and office, all of which include pre-lit grids. Elements of the set are reused from previous major studio productions, not only aiding the production but also providing sustainability benefits.
“Our goal in partnering with Sunset Studios to design these sets is to provide creators with speed, flexibility and production value,” said Knockout Shorts co-founders Ko and actor/producer Chris Crema.
The venture is producing at least one microdrama series under SAG-AFTRA’s newly established vertical media production agreement. “These sets are designed to serve both next-generation storytellers and established productions seeking efficiency without compromising quality,” said Coe and Crema.
Sunset Studios has grown to become one of Hollywood’s largest production services and equipment providers. It also owns equipment and transportation services company Quixote. Sunset Studios is owned by the giant Hudson Pacific Real Estate Investment Trust.
