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Since the Covid restrictions, Sacramento Media Center has been in high gear. The Media center hosted events for very notable clientele, including the recent Cal Chamber Capitol Summit and the annual Sacramento Host Breakfast, featuring Governor Gavin Newsom. The studio's high-speed internet upgrade made 4 years ago has met the demands for media streaming programs needed today. The timing was perfect to help clients thrive through the worst of the pandemic.
The Sacrament Media Center is conveniently located near Cal Expo, with plenty of free parking. It offers a variety of services including a 35X40 foot sound stage with double walls for sound and a state-of-the-art professional lighting grid. The facility also boasts a complete audio recording suite, a “producer’s office” for webinars, podcasts, and small meetings and a large greenroom for make-up and wardrobe. Clients are also frequently found relaxing in the spacious breakroom in the style of a 1950s diner.
When not live streaming, music videos, documentaries, and the Reelz Network’s national TV show, “Autopsy,” keep the studio busy. “We just finished filming the 6th season of “Autopsy,” adds Christensen, “22 episodes this year and we start season 7 in November. Reelz, HBO, Netflix, and other studios rave about our efficiency and professionalism, not to mention the talent pool we can provide at a moment’s notice. We love the compliments we get from out-of-town producers!”
The weekly series, “Odin Makes,” a popular YouTube makers channel, also hides in plain sight at the studio. Every Wednesday it uploads a new DYI video, showing viewers how to make pop-culture props like Marvel superhero items and Star Wars gadgets. Additionally, every Sunday, Odin and co-host, Felicia, stream a live 2-hour feed, answering comments from viewers as they assemble projects.
“We might as well be called a TV station with all the live streaming we do” states Christensen. “Two weeks ago, a satellite truck next to the building beamed to morning news shows, a Doctor and a mother, to viewers on the east coast, while at the same time, in another studio, we streamed a live training seminar to 300 webinar attendees. Our investment in upgrades to the studio is what makes everything run smoothly.”
The facility has provided studio space for productions of all sizes since 1997. In 2017, Christensen and his team modernized and revamped the space to accommodate a wider clientele and to satisfy today’s TV/Film’s more demanding standards. In the three years under Christensen, the Media Center has booked more productions than in its 20 previous years combined.
More information can be found at www.sacmediacenter.com
The Sacrament Media Center is conveniently located near Cal Expo, with plenty of free parking. It offers a variety of services including a 35X40 foot sound stage with double walls for sound and a state-of-the-art professional lighting grid. The facility also boasts a complete audio recording suite, a “producer’s office” for webinars, podcasts, and small meetings and a large greenroom for make-up and wardrobe. Clients are also frequently found relaxing in the spacious breakroom in the style of a 1950s diner.
When not live streaming, music videos, documentaries, and the Reelz Network’s national TV show, “Autopsy,” keep the studio busy. “We just finished filming the 6th season of “Autopsy,” adds Christensen, “22 episodes this year and we start season 7 in November. Reelz, HBO, Netflix, and other studios rave about our efficiency and professionalism, not to mention the talent pool we can provide at a moment’s notice. We love the compliments we get from out-of-town producers!”
The weekly series, “Odin Makes,” a popular YouTube makers channel, also hides in plain sight at the studio. Every Wednesday it uploads a new DYI video, showing viewers how to make pop-culture props like Marvel superhero items and Star Wars gadgets. Additionally, every Sunday, Odin and co-host, Felicia, stream a live 2-hour feed, answering comments from viewers as they assemble projects.
“We might as well be called a TV station with all the live streaming we do” states Christensen. “Two weeks ago, a satellite truck next to the building beamed to morning news shows, a Doctor and a mother, to viewers on the east coast, while at the same time, in another studio, we streamed a live training seminar to 300 webinar attendees. Our investment in upgrades to the studio is what makes everything run smoothly.”
The facility has provided studio space for productions of all sizes since 1997. In 2017, Christensen and his team modernized and revamped the space to accommodate a wider clientele and to satisfy today’s TV/Film’s more demanding standards. In the three years under Christensen, the Media Center has booked more productions than in its 20 previous years combined.
More information can be found at www.sacmediacenter.com
2021 Host Breakfast with Gov. Newsom
Studio A 35X40 foot sound stage
Autopsy National TV show
Odin Makes Live Stream
PacSat sending News Feed
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Putting our audio booth to work. April Potter and John Christensen began a podcast series for Sac media Center. Topics ranging from activities at the Media Center to fun subjects in the Film/Video production world. We don't mind if our audience numbers are small. We have a great experience making these and it's fun!
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"If you are going to upgrade the studio, you might as well refinish the wall..."
Recently, we upgraded our lighting system. We invested in new Phillips Showline bars, a couple of Source Fours, and tagged the cables on our light grid.
We didn't know when the curve to our cyc wall was maintenance (if at all), but we can see the seams and continuous curve showed signs of aging. Fortunately, our staff is capable, and when we saw an opening on our busy calendar, we jumped into action.
Turns out when the walls are ready to be repainted, the crew seems to enjoy the repetitive and satisfying results to coat the entire cyc with white paint. There are times however, when you stare into the white curve with no edges or definition, you lose balance and get a little dizzy.
Recently, we upgraded our lighting system. We invested in new Phillips Showline bars, a couple of Source Fours, and tagged the cables on our light grid.
We didn't know when the curve to our cyc wall was maintenance (if at all), but we can see the seams and continuous curve showed signs of aging. Fortunately, our staff is capable, and when we saw an opening on our busy calendar, we jumped into action.
Turns out when the walls are ready to be repainted, the crew seems to enjoy the repetitive and satisfying results to coat the entire cyc with white paint. There are times however, when you stare into the white curve with no edges or definition, you lose balance and get a little dizzy.
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This Saturday, SMC and friends will be selling tons of stuff at our yearly Yard Sale. It all begins at 9 am and will end at 3 pm. Many great items for sale relating to the film production industry. Bring your cash and appetite as we will have hot-dogs and soda for sale.
Past yard sales at the Center has been successful and we look forward seeing you here!
Past yard sales at the Center has been successful and we look forward seeing you here!
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Last month, we added a seamless curve to our green screen stage where the wall meets the floor. This allows compositors to achieve a better-keyed background when shooting full body shots in our studio. Unlike the traditional cyclorama curve like on the white side of our Studio A, the green curve has a smaller radius. Since most green screens are lite evenly, the smaller curve is not harder to light, and it gives us more room on our stage. We had to put up the cation stanchions to help prevent crew from getting too close to the curve. Footprints on the cyc is a major "no-no" in all studios. Visit our studio and see all the new improvements and bring your next chroma key project to the Sacramento Media Center.
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Power Center Studio A
We added 50 more amps to our power center in Studio A. Lance, Our certified electrician, did an excellent job upgrading our power grid, as well as making everything up to code. We also remodeled the power center for easy access. Our visiting lighting crews love the new layout. Not only is there plenty of power for most lighting scenarios, but we also added dimmer controls for creative adjustments with the scoops hanging from our lighting grid. Since most Studio rentals have unique lighting needs, we wanted to make the controls simple and easy to adjust. That's why you don't see an expensive dimmer board.
50 extra amps
Dimmer Controls
Drop by or visit our website at www.sacmediacenter.com
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Preparing for music video shoot in Studio A
One of the benefits of working in a video studio rental facility is the never-ending supersizes you get when you walk through the doors. This week we had both studios film a music video, and the prop shop was hustling with a fury of activity. It always amazes me when I see our local talent craft and mold props and set pieces with masterful skill and finish just in time for the camera and talent to begin production. Even our resident prop maker Odin Abbott was busy creating Thor’s Stormbreaker Hammer from Avengers: Infinity War (check out his recent video). This is how a video studio should operate; skilled individuals making their craft so everyone can enjoy. It's even better when it burst at the seams, and our facility is where it happens. Does anyone need a hovercraft in your next film? We got one!
Stormbreaker
Single Seat Car
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Sample Call Sheet
High Priority Info
Nothing makes us happier than to work with film professionals who use call sheets. It's even better when our studio is included with contact info, and all vital information is listed. A Call Sheet is how a good crew communicates and where operational details are found in one place. It also keeps everyone on the same page. Need to get in contact with the Facility Manager (me)? Look at the call sheet. When and where to go? Call sheet. Need to race to the hospital for any unforeseen reason? Call sheet to the rescue. The Call sheet pictured here was from a production we recently had at our facility. I modified it and made the info anonymous, but you get the idea. The last thing you want to do is ask the Director or Assistant Director when is lunch or who is in charge of wardrobe. The info should be common knowledge, and a good call sheet gets the job done.
This informative video from Rocket Jump is a review on how to read a call sheet. We also included free Call Sheet templates for download.
If your crew size is 4 to 40, you'll save a lot of headaches with a properly prepared Call Sheet. When you email it to everyone on your crew, make sure they reply that they received it, just to be sure.
If a crew member doesn't have an email address then why are your hiring them? Really, why!
If your crew size is 4 to 40, you'll save a lot of headaches with a properly prepared Call Sheet. When you email it to everyone on your crew, make sure they reply that they received it, just to be sure.
If a crew member doesn't have an email address then why are your hiring them? Really, why!
Free Call Sheet Downloads
Author: John Christensen
Owner/Operator Sacramento Media Center
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Green Screen Stage
As of March 2018, the Sacramento Media Center has been very busy. Over the last six months, we have had over 6 Music Videos shot in our Studio A (and B). Gordon Ramsay shoots stand-up introductions for his new Hell's Kitchen restaurant at Cesar's Palace, Odin Abbott makes over 12 YouTube videos, Pirl Productions shoots four online web videos, and Christensen Media produced over 30 TV commercials. Added to this, the Media Center has been host to the entire Sacramento Republic Soccer Team for media interviews, plus many other video shoots for the medical industry and TV ads for various local business.
Producers are very pleased with the upgrades and the new look of the facility. Our Green Screen stage in Studio A is a favorite as it is in use 80% of the time. Having the double walled studio with a light grid, large doors and plenty of power are features production companies enjoy. Not to mention the low noise air conditioning and the classic diner snack bar.
Check out our tour video or give us call at 916.822.6733
Producers are very pleased with the upgrades and the new look of the facility. Our Green Screen stage in Studio A is a favorite as it is in use 80% of the time. Having the double walled studio with a light grid, large doors and plenty of power are features production companies enjoy. Not to mention the low noise air conditioning and the classic diner snack bar.
Check out our tour video or give us call at 916.822.6733
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In less than six months, Sacramento Media Center has been recognized as an established Video Studio Rental facility in Northern California. Recently we have been honored to appear on Agencylist, a carefully curated list of the top advertising, design and marketing agencies in Sacramento. Daily we answer phone calls and emails from producers around the country, looking to rent our studio for their next green-screen or white cyclorama productions. The days of yellow-page ads and refrigerator magnets are a distant memory for many of us; ok, a few of us. Either way, we are grateful to have a robust online presence and accolades from our local production community.
Magnets