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Studio A
Painting Props
Today we are shooting a music video in Studio A. The film producer is pleased to have space at the Sacramento Media Center to assemble the many stages and props needed for the video. As an added benefit, SMC has many flats and panels in our prop storage room available to use. If a visiting producer needs a wall with a window, they are welcome to use it, free of charge. We like to follow a first come first use policy, and if we happen to have some extra flats and props in the studio, our renters are welcomed to use it. The best part about shooting videos at our studio is the extra large doors and loading dock access. Whether you want to bring your own sets and props, including a car or truck, you can do it with ease.
Loading Dock and Large Studio Doors
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April Potter with her trusty sidekick "Pirl" takes us on an inside tour of the Sacramento Media Center. The video shows off our 40'x35' Studio A soundstage along with many other enhanced production rooms at our 915 Fee Drive location. We put a lot of work in refurbishing the old 7300 square foot facility, and the reviews from local producers have been amazing. Many commented on how the studio is now a functional and efficient place to work. Most of all, everyone loves our Diner/Snack bar; a place where anyone can sit and enjoy their lunch or have a quick meeting.
Drop by or call us for a personal tour! (916) 822-6733.
Drop by or call us for a personal tour! (916) 822-6733.
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In October 2017, Christensen Media began work on the old The Studio Center building on 915 Fee Drive, Sacramento, CA. Our goal was to renovate the old soundstage into a functioning Film/Video studio that producers from all over can use. The 7300 square foot building, with plenty of parking, needed some major upgrades and a new paint job. 45 days later the Sacramento Media Center was born.
In this blog, we included a 3-minute time-lapse video from a camera we place on the next door roof. Watch how we rolled up our sleeves and went to work. You will see we made many trips to the dump as well as filling a 40-yard dumpster to the rim. A Lot of helpful colleagues stepped up and pitched in on the massive undertaking, and we couldn't thank them enough. We worked our butts off which made the many pizzas and beer consumption worth the endeavor but most of all, a brand new video studio that is awesome to rent.
Next blog will be a tour our studio facility.
In this blog, we included a 3-minute time-lapse video from a camera we place on the next door roof. Watch how we rolled up our sleeves and went to work. You will see we made many trips to the dump as well as filling a 40-yard dumpster to the rim. A Lot of helpful colleagues stepped up and pitched in on the massive undertaking, and we couldn't thank them enough. We worked our butts off which made the many pizzas and beer consumption worth the endeavor but most of all, a brand new video studio that is awesome to rent.
Next blog will be a tour our studio facility.
Author John Christensen
Owner/Operator of Sacramento Media Center and Christensen Media.
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In October 2017, the Sacramento Media Center opened it's doors to video producers from all over. Our 40'x35' soundstage is perfect for large and small video productions, including music videos.
For the last six months, we have had over five music groups rent our studio and with much success. Our facility has an improved green-room, snack bar, loading dock, light grid, new green-screen stage and plenty of parking out front.
Our support staff loves it when the whole building is in use. Costumes, make-up, sound gear, PA's running around is fun to watch, and all the crazy special effects that go into a Music video, like the recent Cherry Pool's - Are You In Love video by Raul Gonzo, proves that SMC is the perfect production facility.
Call us or drop by if you would like to shoot your next video at our studio. (916) 822.6733
For the last six months, we have had over five music groups rent our studio and with much success. Our facility has an improved green-room, snack bar, loading dock, light grid, new green-screen stage and plenty of parking out front.
Our support staff loves it when the whole building is in use. Costumes, make-up, sound gear, PA's running around is fun to watch, and all the crazy special effects that go into a Music video, like the recent Cherry Pool's - Are You In Love video by Raul Gonzo, proves that SMC is the perfect production facility.
Call us or drop by if you would like to shoot your next video at our studio. (916) 822.6733
Click photo for rates
Diner scene
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Everything organized
On location
Everything in reach
She's small, but we love our Nissan NV200 grip van. We are fortunate to have a back lot at our video studio where we park our location production van. When we are assigned productions that are not filmed at our studio, we hop in our van and motor out to the location.
The van is well stocked with C-stands, sand-bags, clamps, gaffer's tape, and road cones.
If the car dealer can't come to our studio, we go to them and presto; an instant location-set is up and running. The only drawback is we don't have the luxury of a sound-stage, where critical sound recording is a must. When we need to do some quality filming, we use our 40x35 foot studio with large sound doors to drive in vehicles. It's pretty nice to have plenty of parking and space to work. But when we need to hit the road, we are prepared.
The van is well stocked with C-stands, sand-bags, clamps, gaffer's tape, and road cones.
If the car dealer can't come to our studio, we go to them and presto; an instant location-set is up and running. The only drawback is we don't have the luxury of a sound-stage, where critical sound recording is a must. When we need to do some quality filming, we use our 40x35 foot studio with large sound doors to drive in vehicles. It's pretty nice to have plenty of parking and space to work. But when we need to hit the road, we are prepared.
Studio A
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Only uses 20 Amps
Our final 3 part review of Sacramento Media Center's energy efficient upgrades ends with the best creature comfort we can ask for, while at the same saving us money.
We are currently installing inverter-driven ductless heat pump systems to the building. These units require very little power and replace our old air conditioning units (we won't show their ugly picture). Each room has it's own control and operates independently from the rest of the building. When one or two people are in their offices, the rest of the building is off and not wasting energy. This new system from Gree Comfort is not only whisper-quiet but conditions the room immediately. Without a doubt, this was the most desired improvement we were working towards and not a moment too soon as the summer months are around the corner.
We are currently installing inverter-driven ductless heat pump systems to the building. These units require very little power and replace our old air conditioning units (we won't show their ugly picture). Each room has it's own control and operates independently from the rest of the building. When one or two people are in their offices, the rest of the building is off and not wasting energy. This new system from Gree Comfort is not only whisper-quiet but conditions the room immediately. Without a doubt, this was the most desired improvement we were working towards and not a moment too soon as the summer months are around the corner.
Whisper Quiet
Each room has independent control
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40X35 foot Studio A
Our 40'X35' sound-stage studio A has a dedicated HVAC system, and it's low noise! We achieved that by replacing the old ducting system with a newly designed tube that pushes and receives air quietly. Not only can you hardly hear the system moving air, the equal-sized "in" and "out" registers makes the transfer efficient, which in turns makes heating and cooling fast while cutting down on energy costs.
We all have been in locations where it's very hot or freezing. Sacramento Media Center's staff wanted to make sure that the first upgrade was making Studio A comfortable. The best part, no one realizes the system is working because it's so quiet.
We all have been in locations where it's very hot or freezing. Sacramento Media Center's staff wanted to make sure that the first upgrade was making Studio A comfortable. The best part, no one realizes the system is working because it's so quiet.
New Ducting
Large Airflow
Quiet Operation
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When we took over The Studio Center building and changed its name to Sacramento Media Center, we knew that was not going to be enough to make our TV/Film studio a nice place to work. The building itself was structurally sound, and we had plenty of electricity to make the place operational. A new coat of paint was easy, and most of the trash was hauled away. The real challenge was dealing with harsh temperatures that come with having a business in Sacramento as its cold in the winter and hot in the summer. The good news is we found some solutions that not only do a fantastic job but makes our studio very comfortable.
Because we are so excited about our upgrades, we wanted to share our story in three parts.
Because we are so excited about our upgrades, we wanted to share our story in three parts.
Our first upgrade was to apply Warehouse Foil on the inside of our ceiling. The material is a single-sided radiant barrier foil that reflects 97% of radiant heat from the foil side and has a white vinyl on the second side for aesthetic purposes. When the sun's radiant energy hit's our roof, the foil reflects the infrared energy (heat) away from the building. To test the effectiveness of this covering, we used a laser temperature reader and saw a 25 degree difference in heat reduction. When it's 105 outside, our warehouse will be in the cool 80's and 90's, and that's with out generating any airflow.
Foil side
White Vinyl
Before we took the temperature readings, our resident handyman Odin Abbott, told us he could feel the difference when applying the foil to the ceiling. It was pretty easy install with an air-tool staple-gun and our trusty scissor-lift. Of course, sore muscles after the job couldn't be avoided but the results were worth it!
Part 2
How to air condition Studio A, quietly...
How to air condition Studio A, quietly...
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Our Mascot Pirl, with April Potter
When you have the best crew located at the best TV/Film studio in Sacramento, you must also have the best mascot. Pirl, our very lovable dog, fits the role perfectly. From our very first studio rental with Gordon Ramsay to watching sun rays burst through the clouds on a raining day, Pirl is there to share it with you. We are a very dog-friendly facility and love to meet new friends. But, let us know first if you plan to bring Spot over for a visit.
Pirl is super people friendly and doggy treats and plenty of places to wag your tail is available at the Sacramento Media Center. Call us for any of your studio or green screen rental needs (or if you want some free kisses from Pirl).
(916) 822-6733
Pirl loves rainbows
Kisses are always free
Pirl loves sunbathing on our loading dock
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Odin Makes
Thor's Hammer and Helmet
We could not be prouder than to have Odin Abbott call Sacramento Media Center "Home." As our resident prop maker and YouTube content creator, the flow of creative energies from his studio is never-ending. Odin recently achieved his 100,000th subscriber status on his YouTube channel Odin Makes. His bi-weekly episodes captivate a devoted audience, and it is always fun to wait outside his doors, as sounds of machines humming away, wondering what crazy prop or device he's conjuring up. Not only does he create fan suggested props for his show, but Odin is also in high demand for his set creations. Recently he was hired to build the inside of the Back To The Future Delorean time machine. The producer didn't mind if he used the build for one of his episodes...
Odin's day job is with KVIE as an Emmy award-winning editor. Fortunately, his work is minutes away and once his shift ends it's a simple commute to his working lab here at SMC, then he goes into mad scientist mode and his day doesn't end until late in the evening.
It's not a surprise to us when we walk into our Sacramento studio in the morning to find a creation he just finished leaning against the doorway of our offices. The FUN never stops!
It's not a surprise to us when we walk into our Sacramento studio in the morning to find a creation he just finished leaning against the doorway of our offices. The FUN never stops!
Aquaman's Trident from Justice League