You can’t get much closer to a sure bet for a special event location when you hire on help that has Oscar and Emmy awards on their resumes.
“From an event standpoint, this is where we shine, because Warner Bros. Special Events is really a complete event/production team,” says Hillary Harris, director of special events at Warner Bros. Studios, located in the Los Angeles area.
“The important thing for people to remember is that the same team that did the set lighting for our television shows and major feature films will be doing the set lighting for our clients—that’s really the hook for us,” she continues. “If you like Superman and you want to bring a Superman theme into your event, we will bring in the people who worked on Superman for your show—only in a studio can you get that synergy.”
Besides having Warner Bros. staff members work on your event, attendees often get into the action as part of a team-building program that has them produce a show.
“We literally can put a group of people into a production,” Harris says. “Basically, we find out what the mission statement is of the company or corporation, and we put that mission statement into a ‘television’ production or ‘feature film.’”
One of these team-building programs would typically have attendees arrive on a set and meet at tables that have a “mini-marquee” featuring different Warner Bros. productions. They then elect from within their ranks a producer, actors, a writer, and production assistant. After writing, blocking and rehearsing the production, the “actor” attendees go to wardrobe and makeup, perform the skit using cue cards, and then an audience asks them questions, followed by an “Academy Awards” presentation. The proceedings are followed by a “cast” lunch buffet.
Themed backlot locales, with golf carts used for transportation, can be utilized for breakout sessions during more-traditional half- or full-day meetings. Cocktail parties—even including red wine!—can also be held at the Warner Bros. Museum, which offers two floors of memorabilia including props, wardrobe collections and sets.
In a town where manufacturing reality is a career calling, you’ve got to bet that producing truly special events can take center stage.
