Savannah Film Studios Expands Hollywood-Style Backlot With New 17,000 Square-Foot Production Facility

Jazz Tangcay

2 January 2025 at 5:30 pm·2-min read

Georgia’s Savannah College of Art and Design has launched the second phase of its film studio backlot.

The 11-acre, three-phase expansion now includes the backlot, new state-of-the-art production, modern costume design sewing labs, classrooms, an LED volume stage for virtual productions, a hair and makeup studio and a massive, high-tech prop making shop with tools for woodcutting, welding and painting.

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Speaking with Variety about the new phase, SCAD president Paula Wallace says, “This costume-and-production expansion of the SCAD Backlot and Savannah Film Studios goes well beyond additional square footage, serving as a testament to SCAD’s commitment to cultivating industry-ready talent. A new building tailored for this much-lauded degree program at SCAD provides students with the same cutting-edge tech they will encounter in professional production studios, better preparing them for careers in costume design and beyond.”

About 3,700 square feet is dedicated to costume design and creation. The space includes a sewing classroom, sewing lab, conference rooms for mentorship and collaboration, a wood and metal shop and a specialized costume storage area with an industrial garment conveyor. Says Wallace, “Building 3 allows for larger teams of costume designers to work on a project efficiently, and more storage space means an accessible archive of costumes, accessories, props and set materials to further creative inspiration and production value.” She adds the students will have ease of access to premier tools and seamless cross-pollination with other departments.

SCAD Savannah – Fall 2024 – Facilities – Savannah Film Studios, Building 3 – Makers Studio – Interior – Student Models: Archer Lesser, Aure Kwok, Elijah Carlton, Audrey Magarian, Emmaline Hemmer, Grace Stermer, Trenton Jones, Shubham Rajpal, Donald Hill, Anthony Zapotosky, Isabelle Leaf, Juliet Glasser, Brooke Statkevich, Bruno Hernandez, Cooper Critchley, Lola Dulovic – Professor: Katia Costa – Photography Courtesy of SCAD — Savannah Film Studios, Building 3 – Makers Studio

Originally a 22,000-square-foot former meatpacking plant, the facility opened in 2014.

Wallace says, “This community of state-of-the-art facilities elevates production caliber and fosters a dynamic environment where collaboration thrives, ensuring SCAD students and alumni excel in every aspect of the industry.”

In 2025-26, two industry-ready soundstages will be completed, along with 11 classrooms. Phase 3 of the backlot will consist of a police station, a fully constructed single-family home, a town square and more.

Scheduled to open in 2026, this phase will complete the 11-acre buildout.

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