EXCLUSIVE: Tyler Perry has learned to adapt and evolve when it comes to production. His Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta was among the first to restart filming during the pandemic with Covid protocols. Now it is joining the rise of virtual production with a new facility.

Tyler Perry Studios has struck a multi-year deal with Synapse Virtual Production to develop and operate a new virtual production-enabled soundstage on the 365-acre Tyler Perry Studios campus in Atlanta.

One of the complex’s existing stages is being converted to accomodate LED volume technology and real-time digital environments using advanced camera tracking, and real-time 3D engines such as Unreal Engine. It is expected to be operational by the end of 2026.

As exemplified by the renderings provided by TPS and Synapse, the new stage will allow the use of elaborate indoor settings without having to build sets and to film exteriors regardless of the weather. It is designed to accomodate productions of all sizes, from feature films and television series to commercials, music videos, livestreams, immersive experiences, and emerging digital media projects.

Synapse, which has a virtual production stage at LA Center Studios in Downtown Los Angeles, uses AI-supported tools for look development, asset iteration, and environment capture.

While the new stage aims at providing creative flexibility, streamlining production and reduce costs, TPS stresses that it will not be done at the expense of crews who will remain “at the center of the process,” reinforcing its commitment to production jobs. As with all other facilities at Tyler Perry Studios, the Synapse soundstage will be available for third-party usage.

It is part of an effort by Perry to attract production to Atlanta which has seen declines over the past couple of years.

“I’m paying close attention to what these tools can do, and I’m also thinking about the people who make this industry work,” Perry said. “This collaboration is about moving forward in a way that keeps crews working and traditional production jobs intact while also allowing creatives new ways to build worlds and tell stories for the big and small screens.”

As part of his careful approach to the impact new technologies — most notably AI — may have on production, Perry in 2024 paused his plan for an $800 million TPS’ expansion, which included the building of 12 additional soundstages, amid the turmoil in Hollywood over OpenAI’s now-defunct text-to-video model Sora. That expansion remains on hold while Perry has pivoted to other construction projects, including an entertainment district in Southwest Atlanta.

“Our mission at Synapse is to bridge the gap between imagination and innovation,” said Justin Diener, CEO of Synapse. “Partnering with Tyler Perry Studios represents a defining moment for both companies and for the future of content creation. Together, we are building an environment where filmmakers, artists, and creators can harness real-time tools to tell bigger stories, create more immersive experiences, and push the boundaries of what’s possible on screen. We are honored to help bring this vision to life alongside Tyler Perry and his incredible team.”

Synapse’s services and technology have been used in film and television projects, including Artists Equity’s The Rip and The Accountant 2, on which Synapse was a production service partner. The company’s next virtual production facility is set to open in New York.

“Tyler Perry has always been a visionary builder and a fierce defender of the people who make production possible,” said producer Beau Flynn who serves as advisory board member to Synapse. “This collaboration with Synapse makes Atlanta an even stronger home for filmmakers and producers, with virtual production tools that expand what teams can do while keeping the process human and crew-led.”

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