Warner Bros.? Paramount? Universal? How to choose the best Hollywood studio tour for you

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As a seasoned movie-goer and tour enthusiast, I must say that these studio tours are a fantastic way to immerse oneself in the magic of Hollywood. The Sony Pictures Studio Tour was particularly engaging, with its peek behind the scenes at game shows like “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune.” And who wouldn’t want to step into a sound production office and create some Foley effects? It was almost as if I had become a part of the movie-making process myself.

For locals accustomed to L.A.’s bustling movie scene, a studio tour might slip under their radar. After all, with the city teeming with movie and TV productions, it often feels like every corner is a stage set. If you’ve explored backlots or have connections in the film industry, the enchantment of cinema may no longer hold the same allure.

And yet there’s still much to adore about an afternoon jaunt through a filmmaking campus.

In a city frequently misjudged as only embracing the modern, the Hollywood studio serves as a reminder of the rich history – particularly the creation of pop culture legends – deeply embedded in and around Los Angeles. Here, you might find a location where James Dean once stood, drive past the house used in “Psycho”, enter a partially dressed film set or stroll through a sound-making Foley workshop. These studios continue to function as grand workshops dedicated to weaving dreams.

Despite how it might seem like a glamorous endeavor – climbing the ladder of success in Hollywood has become progressively tougher, with the studio itself facing threats from a rapidly evolving, global, digital, and consolidated entertainment industry. However, this statement aims to highlight the potential risks involved.

For me, the studio tour was once a go-to destination when out-of-towners came to visit. These days, I like to revisit one every few years, just as a reminder to remain uncynical and to marvel at the talent and cinematic art that this region has invented. And each tour has a slightly different flavor. Whether it’s animation history you crave or museum-like installations, there’s a tour for every kind of film buff.

Universal Studios

Best for: Seekers of thrills and cinematic magic

It’s fair to assert that without the tram tour around Universal Studios, there wouldn’t be a Universal Studios theme park as we know it today. Six decades ago, the backlot tram tour was initially conceived to boost commissary sales by allowing tourists to dine on the lot. However, it wasn’t long before those managing the tour understood a fundamental truth about every studio tour: gazing at large soundstages or empty sets can only hold one’s interest for so long.

Universal Studios initially revolutionized the idea of integrating tours with diverse attractions, offering immersive experiences like simulated flash floods, runaway trains, or earthquakes in the late ’80s. Today, the original tram tour, now known as the World-Famous Studio Tour, is just one aspect of a larger theme park experience. It includes brief encounters with movie moments such as an encounter with the shark from “Jaws” or a 3D ride alongside King Kong.

As a film enthusiast, I’d be thrilled to share an insider tip: There’s an exclusive VIP tour option for this park that not many know about! It comes with a hefty price tag of around $400 per person, but the benefits are worth it. You’ll get an extended tour, allowing you to stroll around actual film sets, step into a prop house, and even set foot on a soundstage! If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, this might just be the ticket.

At Universal Studios, located at 100 Universal City Plaza, the tram tour is accessible with your theme park ticket. The cost of admission fluctuates daily but falls between $109 and $149 per individual. For additional details, please check out universalstudioshollywood.com.

Warner Bros.

Best for: Fans of interactive exhibits, Central Perk selfies and everything “Harry Potter”

Warner Bros. Studio Tour has always embraced a showman’s spirit, inviting the public since the mid-60s as an exciting introduction to “The Great Race” by displaying cars, props, and a sneak peek behind the scenes for a backlot adventure. This mindset remains consistent today, with the Warner Bros. Studio Tour striving to maintain a balance between historical authenticity and entertainment. Recent updates include interactive installations, like a mini-game for potion making inspired by the “Harry Potter” series or the opportunity to take photos with several Batmobiles.

The standard tour offers about a 60-minute tram outing. Expect to stop and walk among its suburban town, where guides will point out filming locations from “Friends,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Gilmore Girls,” “Cool Hand Luke” and more, as well as to see the wilds of San Fernando Valley, including a forest area that’s been used in the likes of “Jurassic Park,” “True Blood” and “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” There’s also a Turner Classic Movies-themed tour, if you lean more toward cinematic classics such as “Casablanca” and “Rebel Without a Cause.”

One unique aspect that sets Warner Bros. apart from its competitors is their recent ventures into recreating the “Friends” Central Perk Café as an interactive dining experience and museum-like exhibit. These spaces feature interactive tables for exploring the actors of Warner Bros., past and present, as well as special effects stations where digital props can be added or removed with a simple turn of a knob. There are also opportunities to take green screen photos, watch short films, and observe motion-capture technology demonstrations. Additionally, there’s an area inspired by the theme park industry, offering photo ops tied to DC superhero movies and the “Potter” series, including the chance to discover your personality with the Sorting Hat from the latter franchise.

Heading to Warner Bros. Studio Tour, located at 3400 Warner Blvd., Burbank? The regular ticket costs $73, but here’s a pro tip: If you’re a Southern California resident, you can enjoy a $12 discount on tickets through December 17th! For those seeking more in-depth exploration, the deluxe and VIP tours offer additional backlot access. To learn more about these exciting opportunities, check out wbstudiotour.com.

Walt Disney Studios

Best for: Disney history buffs and animation lovers

As a movie enthusiast, venturing into the heart of Walt Disney Studios in Burbank feels like stepping closer to the authentic roots of American storytelling and modernized fairy tales. Yet, let me clarify, this is still the realm of Disney, so you’ll find a touch of folklore mythology intertwined, most notably within the tales spun around the company’s visionary founder, Walt Disney himself.

Highlight of the 3-hour exclusive tour for D23 members, both paid and free, is the painstakingly restored five-room office suite of Disney. This space houses genuine or replicated items from Disney’s collection, like a recreated version of the special Oscar he won for “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” featuring an average-sized statuette and seven miniature ones. Also, take note of the original Disneyland master plan that references recently accomplished projects such as It’s a Small World. This office is kept in its 1966 state, although it will undergo renovation in late 2024. (At the time of writing, this was the planned schedule.)

Beyond that, there’s no other tour quite like this one as it focuses exclusively on the craft of animation. It’s only logical, given its reputation, but what sets it apart is the chance for guests to explore the original animation studio – where classics like “Cinderella” and “Lady and the Tramp” were born – and delve into Disney’s groundbreaking innovations within this art form. You’ll also get a peek at the clever design of the lot, aimed at shielding precious hand-drawn animation cells from sunlight. The tour culminates with a visit to the Walt Disney Archives, a bustling research lab committed to preserving all things Disney.

Visit the Official Tour of The Walt Disney Studios, located at 500 S Buena Vista St., Burbank. D23 members can purchase up to two tickets, with prices depending on your membership level but starting at $79. For further details, check out d23.com/upcoming-events.

Sony Pictures

Best for: Game show devotees and a vision of Oz

In the late ’60s, The Times published an article about a tour of the then-iconic MGM Studios lot. Nowadays, this studio tour, owned by Sony Pictures, has undergone changes and no longer includes a peek into Esther Williams’ private swimming pool. Instead, it kicks off with a recreation of the “Seinfeld” set and props from the “Men in Black” movies. The Culver City lot still pays homage to its past through architectural reminders of MGM’s legacy and artist Tony Tasset’s 94-foot rainbow sculpture from 2012, which is a nod to “The Wizard of Oz,” a film that was once shot on the same premises.

As a movie buff embarking on a Sony Pictures studio tour, one of the highlights is visiting the iconic sets of classic game shows like “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune.” If filming isn’t happening at the moment, you can step onto these legendary stages yourself. Even if they are taping, you’ll get a chance to strike a pose in front of a green screen and bring home a personalized “Jeopardy!” photo as a souvenir.

During your visit, you’ll probably get a peek into the diverse operational facets of the studio. On my visit, we walked through the sound production offices to observe how Foley artists work. Picture a dimly lit, compact room that resembles a cluttered garage, filled with discarded clothes, fallen leaves, various types of footwear, and malfunctioning equipment.

In just a quick spell, we got to experiment with diverse floor materials that produced unique echoes. Additionally, we briefly entered an echo chamber, simulating the ambiance of a large audience generating static-like sound.

Fans of “Breaking Bad” and “Ghostbusters” won’t want to miss the chance to check out the vehicles used during filming. If you’re looking for a fresh viewpoint, consider joining one of Sony’s nighttime studio tours instead.

Sony Pictures is located at 3990 Overland Avenue in Culver City. Guided tours are available for $55 each. For details and booking, please check out sonypicturesstudiostours.com.

Paramount Pictures

Best for: Those looking for Hollywood nostalgia

Instead of focusing on techniques or step-by-step guides like other tours, Paramount emphasizes its historic setting along Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. The property exudes a sense of grandeur, particularly at the Bronson Gate archway, which has been featured in “Sunset Boulevard.” During a typical tour at Paramount, you’ll discover how Alfred Hitchcock almost demolished a stage for “Rear Window,” and catch a glimpse of their massive “blue sky tank” capable of creating oceanic illusions. On my visit, we ventured into a soundstage adorned for Taylor Tomlinson’s “After Midnight,” and took a moment to observe crews preparing the New York city streets for filming.

In this specialized tour prop facility, you’ll find yourself standing on the set transporter from “Star Trek Beyond.” Additionally, costumes for the “Halo” series, a life-size Bumblebee vehicle from the “Transformers” films, and props like mushrooms and an egg mobile from “Sonic the Hedgehog” movies are all here. This setup resembles a gallery rather than an active prop production house.

The two-hour Paramount studio tour offers a cozy experience with a small group and a guide using an iPad. Pricier packages provide glimpses into operational archival areas of the lot, but currently it’s mainly about exploring a historic Hollywood location that might soon undergo major transformations.

Paramount Pictures, located at 5515 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, offers guided tours starting at $65. For additional details, please check out their website: paramountstudiotour.com.

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2024-08-29 17:32