Sony Pictures Studios / MGM Studios

Sony Pictures (aka Columbia Tristar) has created an excellent website as a celebration of it’s history and a resource to find out more about Sony / Columbia / MGM history, and the movie business in general.

Check out the Sony Pictures Museum at http://www.sonypicturesmuseum.com/

Address: 10202 West Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

There are some companies resident on the Sony lot;

  • J.C. Backings make highly detailed scenic backings (to be positioned outside set windows on soundstages to make it look like a real building)
  • Happy Madison is the production company owned and run by Adam Sandler. He drives a Cadillac Escalade golf cart around the lot. As well as production offices, there’s also a Happy Madison Baseball Court on the lot for relaxation. The company is named after two of Sandler’s successes Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison.

Sony Pictures VIP Tour

The Sony tour is entirely on foot, and takes you from the Sony Pictures Plaza building through the gates of the former MGM Culver City lot, past the Thalberg building and in amongst the soundstages. Unfortunately photography is limited once you get into the bulk of the studio, but there’s still lots to see, and very informative and enthusiastic guides.
Although many MGM and Columbia movies are mentioned, the emphasis is very much on the current owners of the studio and their recent redevelopment of the studio.
Columbia and MGM history is of course mentioned, but there’s so much to get through, a 2 hour tour can barely scratch the surface.
Where possible, guests are taken into the studios where game shows Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! are taped, along with at least one other soundstage visit.
Other visits may include a New York Street backlot set behind Stage 12, a Foley Stage and the Barbra Streisand Scoring Stage, when there is no production work taking place in those areas.

More information