As part of a global expansion of the new studio space, German group Penzing Studios has opened a new film and television production facility at the former air base at Penzing, 30 kilometers west of Munich.
The first productions were conducted in the refurbished hangar. The studio boasts Germany’s first state-of-the-art virtual production, the Hyperbowl. More sound stages will open in June. Penzing joins three other major German behind-the-scenes: Studio Babelsberg outside Berlin, Bavaria Studios in Grünwald near Munich and MMC in Cologne.
The developers plan to invest an additional €100 million ($113 million) over the next three years to expand the facility to 12 sound stages with 25,000 square meters of production space and 15,000 square meters of workshop space, and office. Penzing will focus on digital and virtual production, and provide post-production and visual effects services.
Built in partnership with architecture firm Snohetta, Penzing Studios claims to be the world’s first zero-emissions studio, and the corporation says all the structures added to the existing facilities will use land and wood to create a sustainable working environment.
The dramatic increase in production globally, thanks to streaming services, has led to an increase in demand for studio equipment. New plots of land are under construction or existing facilities are being expanded worldwide.
“Supply continues to outstrip demand for studio facilities, and there are changes underway in the way film and television are made. We are at the forefront of these changes and aim to create a sustainable hub in which creative people can thrive and do their best. ” said Penzing Studios managing partner Jörn Siegele and producer and partner Joe Neurauter.
The former Army Air Force base at Penzing, known as the barracks where Johnny Cash was stationed as a GI, closed three years ago. Late last year, with funding from the state agency Invest in Bavaria and an investment grant for the Hyperbowl stage from the Bavarian Ministry of Economy, Penzing Studios embarked on the development and transformation of the venue.
