Hillwood has partnered with SGS Studios to open a 450,000-square-foot production studio in Fort Worth, Texas. The development, which is the largest operating studio facility in the state, will be followed by a master-planned studio campus located at the mixed-use AllianceTexas property.
Two buildings, dubbed SGS 1 and SGS 2, make up the campus and can support up to four large-scale productions at a time. The facility is HVAC-equipped and power-optimized, and it includes sound stages, mill space, wardrobe areas and green screen capabilities.
Hillwood and SGS are collaborating with Paramount Television on the project. SGS has also partnered with Tarrant County College to train local residents in production skills, such as set construction, grip and electric, post-production and stage operations.
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The studios’ location at AllianceTexas places them within 2 miles of Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport and within 19 miles of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The property also provides access to Interstate 35W.
With SGS1 and SGS 2 complete, Hillwood and SGS Studio will begin development of the master-planned studio property, which will bring additional sound stages, along with post-production and vendor suites.
Hollywood moves beyond Hollywood
The opening of SGS 1 and SGS comes as production companies increasingly look beyond California in pursuit of less expensive facilities. In June, Texas increased its film production incentive program budget to $300 million every two years, up from $200 million, according to Variety.
Other states are taking similar approaches. The 1.5-million-square-foot 1888 Studios project in Bayonne, N.J., is expected to be completed in 2026. That development was made possible by the state’s Film and Digital Media Tax Credit program, which allows for credits of up to 40 percent for labor expenditures and up to 35 percent for production expenses.