Trilith Studios Explained

Trilith Studios
Address:461 Sandy Creek Road
Fayetteville, Georgia 30214
Location Country:United States
Coordinates:33.4749°N -84.5108°W

Trilith Studios is an American film and television production studio located south of Atlanta in Fayette County, Georgia. Originally known as Pinewood Atlanta Studios, the studio has been used to produce many films and television programs, particularly those produced by Marvel Studios. Trilith Studios encompasses a 700-acre site, with a 400-acre backlot and 32 soundstages.[1] A virtual production volume, Prysm Stage, opened in early 2022. As of 2021, Trilith Studios is the largest production facility in the state of Georgia.

History

The Pinewood Group announced in April 2013 that its first film production facility in the United States, Pinewood Atlanta Studios, would be located south of Atlanta at a complex consisting of 280ha in Fayette County, Georgia. The studio was a joint venture between Pinewood and River's Rock LLC, an independently managed trust of the Cathy family, founders of the Chick-fil-A fast-food chain. Pinewood Atlanta would feature at least five sound stages. The Pinewood Group was attracted to Georgia for the studio because of the state's film tax credit.[2]

The first production to film at the studio was Marvel Studios' film Ant-Man (2015), which began in September 2014.[3] [4] In August 2019, Pinewood sold their shares of Pinewood Atlanta to River's Rock LLC, with Frank Patterson expected to remain to run the studio.[5]

In October 2020, the studio was renamed Trilith Studios. Trilith was chosen as the studio's name as "a nod to our U.K. heritage” according to Patterson; its name originated from trilithon, an architectural term referring to a structure consisting of two large vertical stones supporting a third stone laid horizontally across the top such as the structures in Stonehenge.[6] In November 2021, it was announced that Trilith, in collaboration with NEP Virtual Studios, would open the virtual production volume Prysm Stage facility in early 2022.[7]

In August 2022, Trilith filed a proposal to add an additional 4.7 million sq. ft. of studio, production, office, warehouse, retail, and residential space south of the existing property by 2032.[8] Since 2022, the 168 Film Project was held at the Trilith Town Stage.[9]

Town at Trilith

In 2016, the Pinewood Forest mixed-use complex was launched. Located across the street from the studio, it features homes along with plans for "a movie theater, restaurants, boutique hotels, retail and office space", built using environmentally friendly building materials.[10] In preparation for the master-planned community, Dan Cathy was inspired by places like Seaside, Florida, Ponce City Market, and the Chick-Fil-A headquarters.[11] In 2020, when the studio was renamed Trilith Studios, Pinewood Forest was renamed the Town at Trilith.[12] In April 2021, Atlanta magazine ranked the community ninth in their top ten metro Atlanta vibrant city centers list; the community was also the newest featured on the list.[13] In January 2024, the studio's first hotel opened, Trilith Guesthouse, part of Marriot's Tribute Portfolio series.[14]

A movie theatre was announced in a press release in December 2018, set to be open in 2020.[15] It was later pushed back to 2021.[16] In 2023, the unbuilt theatre was redesigned into an entertainment complex called "Trilith Live". The complex will include an 1,800-seat auditorium, two live television stages, and various food and retail shops. The complex is set to be open in 2025.[17]

Racial discrimination lawsuit

In July 2022, Brianna Sacks of Buzzfeed News alleged that African American individuals faced unequal treatment to the majority white population.[18] [19] In September 2022, several residents held a public protest outside the studios.[19] In November 2022, five current and former African American residents sued the site's housing development for racial discrimination. One resident cited complaints back in 2018, while another cited an assault with racial slurs that occurred in March 2022. Trilith issued a statement, alleging that five residents who filed the lawsuit "never had any employment or other relationship with Trilith Studios." They further condemned the March 2022 incident and wrote that their goal is to "provide creators of all demographics, backgrounds, upbringings, and abilities an environment that fosters inclusion and belonging and the opportunities and resources to share their stories".[20] [21]

Education

In 2016, a soundstage at Pinewood Studios was open for educational use by the Georgia Film Academy.[22] The site was formerly occupied by Rivers Elementary School.[23] In late 2020, the Georgia Film Academy partnered with Trilith and the University of Georgia to launch its Master of Fine Arts film program; students would work and live in Trilith during their second year.[24] Trilith also has a small K-12 school called "The Forest School".

Stages, studios, and locations

, Trilith Studios encompasses a 700-acre site, with a 400-acre backlot. It features 1 million square feet of production facilities, with 24 soundstages, 40 on-site production vendors, and 75,000 square feet of stages equipped for virtual production technologies., Trilth Studios was considered the second largest film and television studio in North America,[25] and, it is the largest production facility in the state of Georgia.[26]

Soundstages at Trilith Studios
NumberSize (in sq ft)[27]
115,000 (100x150)
215,000 (100x150)
320,000 (120x166)
420,000 (120x166)
530,000 (200x150)
630,000 (200x150)
720,000 (120x165)
820,000 (120x166)
918,150 (165x110)
1015,000 (135x110)
1115,000 (135x110)
1215,000 (100x150)
1415,000 (100x150)
1520,000 (120x165)
1620,000 (120x166)
1740,000 (241x166)
1818,000 (164x110)
1915,000 (100x150)
2015,000 (100x150)
2118,000 (165x110)
2218,000 (165x110)
2318,000 (165x110)
2420,000 (120x166)
2520,000 (120x166)
2630,000 (200x150)
2720,000 (120x166)
2820,000 (120x166)
2920,000 (120x166)
3020,000 (120x166)
3140,000 (241x166)

Prysm Stage

The Prysm Stage is a virtual production volume in a purpose-built 18000square feet stage, featuring 360 degrees of LED panels and ceiling. It is able to accommodate large set pieces, in-camera visual effects, and is equipped for game-engine-driven video playback. Additionally, it has a dedicated process stage designed for automotive shoots. The Prysm Stage is located in Stage 22 of Trilith.[28]

Productions

As Pinewood Atlanta Studios

Films

Television series

As Trilith Studios

Films

Television series

Notes and References

  1. News: Local Production Infrastructure Case Study: Trilith Studios . December 20, 2023 . Georgia Entertainment . November 11, 2023.
  2. Web site: Verrier . Richard . April 29, 2013 . Pinewood Studios expands into Georgia . October 29, 2020 . Los Angeles Times.
  3. Web site: Walljasper . Matt . September 22, 2014 . Update: What's filming in Atlanta now? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140926021219/http://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/update-whats-filming-atlanta-now/ . September 26, 2014 . October 1, 2014 . Atlanta.
  4. Web site: Brett . Jennifer . January 7, 2015 . "Ant-Man" trailer released . October 29, 2020 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  5. Web site: Szalai . Georg . August 21, 2019 . Pinewood Sells Stake in Atlanta Studios . October 29, 2020 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  6. Web site: Goldsmith . Jill . October 7, 2020 . Pinewood Atlanta Rebrands As 'Trilith', Completes Separation From UK, Expands Studio & Adjacent Planned Community . October 29, 2020 . Deadline Hollywood.
  7. Web site: Spangler . Todd . November 9, 2021 . Atlanta's Trilith Studios to Open 18,000-Square-Foot Virtual Production Facility With NEP (Exclusive) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211124025134/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/trilith-studios-atlanta-prysm-virtual-production-facility-1235107268/ . November 24, 2021 . January 14, 2022 . Variety.
  8. News: Nelms . Ben . August 11, 2022 . Trilith Studios seeking big expansion along Veterans Parkway . The Citizen . August 11, 2022.
  9. News: Cunningham . Carolyn . Call for entries of Angel film shorts is by Sept. 4 . September 2, 2023 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . August 29, 2023 . English.
  10. Web site: Stafford . Leon . July 22, 2020 . Fayetteville mixed-use development Pinewood Forest expands . October 29, 2020 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  11. News: Sams . Douglas . 'Power of placemaking': How Dan Cathy imagined Trilith Studios . October 20, 2023 . www.bizjournals.com . August 16, 2023. https://archive.today/20230816150916/https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2023/08/16/chick-fil-a-film-marvel-jobs-dan-cathy.html. August 16, 2023.
  12. News: Stafford . Leon . January 21, 2021 . Clayton County creates sustainability office to guide future growth . English . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . April 7, 2021.
  13. News: Walljasper . Matt . April 21, 2021 . 10 of metro Atlanta's most vibrant city centers—that aren't Atlanta . Atlanta Magazine . April 28, 2021.
  14. News: Green . Josh . Photos: Trilith Guesthouse hotel project has officially arrived . March 5, 2024 . Urbanize Atlanta . January 18, 2024 . en.
  15. News: Spivak . Caleb J. . [Rendering] 'Luxury' Movie Theatre Development Planned in Pinewood Forest]. February 23, 2023 . What Now Atlanta . December 20, 2018.
  16. News: Whittaker . Kamille D. . Pinewood Forest Breaks Ground on Nine-Screen Cinema. February 23, 2023 . What Now Atlanta . February 24, 2020.
  17. News: Trilith bringing entertainment complex to Fayetteville . February 23, 2023 . 11Alive.com . February 21, 2023.
  18. News: Sacks . Brianna . Trilith Promised A New Model For Hollywood In The Atlanta Suburbs, But Black Residents And Former Employees Say Racism Lies Just Below The Surface . December 11, 2022 . BuzzFeed News . July 18, 2022 . en.
  19. News: Ho . Rodney . Black residents of Trilith sue studio, development for discrimination . December 11, 2022 . Georgia Entertainment Scene Blog (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) . November 17, 2022 . English.
  20. News: Jones . Valencia . Racial discrimination lawsuit filed against Trilith Development, Trilith Studios . December 11, 2022 . CBS News . November 18, 2022.
  21. News: Andrews . Amanda . Black residents sue Trilith Studios' housing development, citing years of unaddressed discrimination . December 11, 2022 . Georgia Public Broadcasting . November 18, 2022 . en.
  22. News: May 13, 2016 . New Georgia Film Academy soundstage opens . en . Gwinnett Daily Post . April 5, 2021.
  23. News: Nelms . Ben . July 15, 2015 . Ant-Man production impacts local economy . The Citizen . March 2, 2022.
  24. News: Nelms . Ben . January 4, 2020 . UGA to team with Pinewood Forest for advanced degree in film and media production . The Citizen . April 5, 2021.
  25. Web site: Ho . Rodney . August 21, 2019 . Will Pinewood studio sale impact future of Marvel films in Georgia? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200804083733/https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/pinewood-sale-likely-means-fewer-marvel-films-atlanta/m4E6nXzcx1pZegf1eiVyhK/ . August 4, 2020 . October 29, 2020 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  26. Web site: Ho . Rodney . December 8, 2021 . Athena, a big TV and film studio, breaks ground in Athens . January 14, 2022 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  27. Web site: Trilith Studio Stages . www.trilithstudios.com . en . December 20, 2023.
  28. Web site: Trilith Studios Stage 22 . Trilith Studios . December 20, 2023 . en.
  29. Web site: Brett . Jennifer . March 13, 2015 . Extras casting call for "Captain America: Civil War" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150315093939/http://buzz.blog.ajc.com/2015/03/13/extras-casting-call-for-captain-america-civil-war/ . March 15, 2015 . March 14, 2015 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  30. News: Barraclough . Leo . November 18, 2016 . Pinewood Atlanta Studios Selects Tech Guru Frank Patterson as President . Variety . April 4, 2021.
  31. Web site: Perry . Spencer . April 3, 2015 . James Gunn Offers Update on Guardians of the Galaxy 2 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150405184148/http://www.superherohype.com/news/335645-james-gunn-offers-update-on-guardians-of-the-galaxy-2 . April 5, 2015 . April 4, 2015 . Superhero Hype!.
  32. Web site: Leslie . Jennifer . May 5, 2016 . "Captain America: Civil War" was shot in, around Atlanta . live . https://archive.today/20240527203102/https://www.webcitation.org/6hHGU1Due?url=http://www.11alive.com/news/captain-america-civil-war-shot-in-around-atlanta/170019060 . May 27, 2024 . May 5, 2016 . llalive.com . WXIA-TV.
  33. Web site: Credits – Krystal . April 4, 2021 . Pinewood Group.
  34. Web site: Lesnick . Silas . October 11, 2016 . Doctor Strange IMAX Preview Teases a Marvel Cinematic Multiverse . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161012081612/http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/775063-doctor-strange-imax-preview . October 12, 2016 . October 11, 2016 . ComingSoon.net.
  35. Web site: Melrose . Kevin . July 14, 2017 . Avengers: Infinity War Appears to Have Wrapped Filming . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170715203023/http://www.cbr.com/avengers-infinity-war-wraps-filming/ . July 15, 2017 . July 14, 2017 . Comic Book Resources.
  36. News: Walljasper . Matt . February 28, 2019 . What's filming in Atlanta now? Zombieland 2, Jumanji 3, Bad Boys for Life, Doom Patrol, plus Atlanta's Oscar wins . Atlanta Magazine . April 4, 2021.
  37. News: Pennington . Adrian . July 7, 2021 . Behind the Scenes: The Tomorrow War . IBC365 . August 9, 2021.
  38. Dockterman . Eliana . July 26, 2018 . How Georgia Became the Hollywood of the South . en . Time . March 2, 2022.
  39. News: Wigler . Josh . ‘Walking Dead’ Showrunner Explains How the Finale Sets Up "Cold War" Conflict for Season 10 . April 9, 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter . March 31, 2019.
  40. News: Venn . Lydia . February 26, 2020 . Inside all the actual locations used in Netflix's Love Is Blind . . April 4, 2021.
  41. Web site: Walsh . Charlotte . February 19, 2022 . No, There Aren't Bathrooms in the 'Love Is Blind' Pods . March 2, 2022 . Netflix . For Season 1, the pods were built in Atlanta and shot at a studio called Pinewood (now Trilith Studios). [...] For Season 2...the pods were shipped across the country to film at a new studio in Santa Clarita, California..
  42. Web site: Barnhardt . Adam . September 9, 2019 . WandaVision Reportedly Beginning Production in November . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190920221805/https://comicbook.com/marvel/2019/09/09/wandavision-filming-start-november-disney-plus/ . September 20, 2019 . October 21, 2019 . ComicBook.com.
  43. Web site: Sandberg . Bryn Elise . July 2, 2020 . How Georgia Hopes to Lead Hollywood's Return to Production . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200702153848/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-georgia-hopes-lead-hollywoods-return-production-1301223 . July 2, 2020 . July 2, 2020 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  44. Web site: Perine . Aaron . October 29, 2020 . Spider-Man 3: Marvel Studios Likely Bringing Back Major Contributor for Sequel . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201029172730/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/spider-man-3-marvel-studios-major-contributor-sequel-back/ . October 29, 2020 . October 29, 2020 . Comicbook.com.
  45. Web site: Vary . Adam B. . Malkin . Marc . June 29, 2021 . 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' Production Starts in Atlanta: 'We're Going to Make Chad Proud' (Exclusive) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210630034249/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/black-panther-wakanda-forever-production-atlanta-cast-1235008191/ . June 30, 2021 . June 30, 2021 . Variety.
  46. Web site: Liu . Narayan . April 17, 2022 . Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Reportedly Delayed Black Adam Release . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220417134007/https://www.cbr.com/guardians-of-the-galaxy-3-black-adam-release-delay/ . April 17, 2022 . May 12, 2022 . Comic Book Resources.
  47. Web site: Steves . Ashley . March 30, 2022 . Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' Is Filming in Atlanta . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220422231953/https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-filming-atlanta-74903/ . April 22, 2022 . May 18, 2022 . Backstage.
  48. Web site: Haunted Mansion at Trilith Studios . Trilith Studios . April 28, 2023 . en.
  49. News: Ho . Rodney . July 13, 2022 . Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis' with Adam Driver coming to shoot in Georgia . English . Georgia Entertainment Scene Blog (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) . October 10, 2022.
  50. Web site: Ho . Rodeny . October 22, 2022 . 'Captain America: New World Order' to film at Georgia's Trilith Studios in 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221023013256/https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/captain-america-new-world-order-to-film-at-georgias-trilith-studios-in-2023/6HA5JLLWYNDW5IUH3AZVR3ZLW4/ . October 23, 2022 . November 14, 2022 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  51. News: Staropoli . Anna . November 1, 2023 . This Walkable Georgia Town Uses Geothermal Energy to Power Its Homes . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240227004122/https://commercialobserver.com/2023/11/this-walkable-georgia-town-uses-geothermal-energy-to-power-its-homes/ . February 27, 2024 . February 27, 2024 . Commercial Observer.
  52. News: Ho . Rodney . November 18, 2023 . 'Superman: Legacy' with a new Superman to shoot in metro Atlanta in 2024 . . live . limited . November 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118195623/https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/superman-legacy-with-a-new-superman-to-shoot-in-metro-atlanta-in-2024/VZTQPAM2YJE3BH3NTBM6FWVZQU/ . November 18, 2023.
  53. News: Ho . Rodney . Aug 26, 2021 . ABC giving Steve Harvey a prime-time judge show shot in Atlanta . English . Radio & TV Talk Blog (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) . March 2, 2022.
  54. News: Pitts . William . Saxonburg store owner and family to be featured on Family Feud . May 1, 2024 . Butler Eagle . February 29, 2024.
  55. News: Family Feud (Season 23 and 24) at Trilith Studios . May 1, 2024 . Trilith Studios . en.
  56. Web site: Ho . Rodney . September 30, 2020 . Upcoming Georgia productions: Jeremy Renner's Marvel series 'Hawkeye,' Gerard Butler's police drama 'Copshop' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201001132928/https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/upcoming-georgia-productions-jeremy-renners-marvel-series-hawkeye-gerard-butlers-police-drama-copshop/BP4Q6NMNERAMDJC4ESK3UNB3A4/ . October 1, 2020 . October 1, 2020 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  57. News: Hale . Aaron . November 22, 2021 . Lights. Camera. Action! . en . . March 2, 2022.
  58. News: Ho . Rodney . UGA trivia team poised to win NBC show 'Capital One College Bowl' . December 11, 2022 . Georgia Entertainment Scene Blog (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) . October 26, 2022 . English.
  59. News: Ho . Rodney . March 3, 2021 . Next Marvel series on Disney+ shooting in Atlanta: "She-Hulk" starring Tatiana Maslany . English . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . April 5, 2021.
  60. News: January 4, 2022 . Where is Judge Steve Harvey Filmed? . TheCinemaholic . United States . January 8, 2022.
  61. Web site: Ho . Rodney . February 4, 2022 . Marvel producing 'Werewolf by Night' special for Disney+ in metro Atlanta . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220221170101/https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/marvel-producing-werewolf-by-night-special-for-disney-in-metro-atlanta/GCYXFCZK5BGH3OIOLPEOA3RQCU/ . February 21, 2022 . March 29, 2022 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  62. Web site: Ho . Rodney . October 25, 2022 . Briefs: Fox News' Bret Baier in Georgia to interview Kemp, Walker; 'Black Adam' opening; 'Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special' trailer . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221117190338/https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/briefs-fox-news-bret-baier-in-georgia-to-interview-kemp-walker-black-adam-opening-guardians-of-the-galaxy-holiday-special-trailer/B6CKOJDR5FB4TDT5J3ZDZU7VMA/ . November 17, 2022 . November 17, 2022 . The Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
  63. Web site: December 18, 2023 . Echo production brief Final 12–18–23 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240106222714/https://dam.gettyimages.com/viewer/thewaltdisneystudios/fv7tp34mzxw64rzr6mvx4jx . January 6, 2024 . January 6, 2024 . . 2.
  64. Web site: Rajput . Priyanca . January 3, 2023 . Marvel Studios' Agatha: Coven of Chaos resumes production in Atlanta, Georgia . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230103160439/https://www.kftv.com/news/2023/01/03/marvel-studios-agatha-coven-of-chaos-resumes-production-in-atlanta-georgia . January 3, 2023 . January 3, 2023 . Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook.
  65. Web site: Ho . Rodney . April 22, 2022 . Disney+'s newest Trilith production: 'Ironheart' starring Dominique Thorne . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220511210426/https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/disneys-newest-trilith-production-ironheart-starring-dominique-thorne/RUDCT2LK5VHD3MWN25MQVYVD64/ . May 11, 2022 . May 12, 2022 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  66. Web site: Ho . Rodney . May 1, 2024 . John Cena's Max show 'Peacemaker' has moved to metro Atlanta from Vancouver . live . https://archive.today/20240501122325/https://www.ajc.com/things-to-do/georgia-entertainment-scene/john-cenas-max-show-peacemaker-has-moved-to-metro-atlanta-from-vancouver/34ADCSDWUJDOJAVYFCZFQSZAOU/ . May 1, 2024 . May 2, 2024 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.