Hudson Capital rebrands studios

Sunset Gower now to be known as Capital

By DAVE MCNARY

'Heroes' is filmed at Sunset Gower Studios, now known as Capital Studios at Sunset Gower.

Hudson Capital -- which has snapped up two of Hollywood's oldest studio facilities in little more than a year -- is changing the names of the lots to Capital Studios.

As of today, the former Sunset Gower Studios will become Capital Studios at Sunset Gower, while Sunset Bronson Studios (the former KTLA/Tribune Studios) has been renamed Capital Studios at Sunset Bronson.

Hudson Capital principals Victor Coleman and Howard Stern said creating Capital Studios is aimed at taking advantage of synergies and economies of scale by owning both properties, which operate a block away from each other. The properties have a combined total of 23 soundstages and more than 700,000 square feet of office production and support space on 28 acres.

"Our goal is to brand Capital as the one-stop shop for production in Hollywood," Coleman told Daily Variety. He added that the facilities have been receiving strong support.

The lots are currently home to two features -- "The Ugly Truth" and "Gulliver's Travels" -- along with "Heroes," "Hannah Montana," "Dexter," "Mad TV," "Judge Judy," "Judge Joe Brown," "Divorce Court," "Family Feud," "Trivial Pursuit," "Talkshow With Spike Feresten" and "In the Motherhood."

The name change kicks off several other developments:

• New signage and logos followed by renovations and aesthetic upgrades including new main entrance and new exterior Main Street

• A new monthly screening series for new filmmakers through partnership with NewFilmmakers LA, held in the 70-seat theater named after Stanley Kramer

• A recently announced 3-D studio with 3-D-ready stages

• A post-production building soon to be occupied by Technicolor

"This is much more than a name change," said Coleman. "We see a prime opportunity in creating a production network platform comprised of state-of-the-art facilities that operate at the highest level."

Hudson Capital acquired Sunset Bronson in January from the Tribune Co. for $125 million. It spent $200 million to buy Sunset Gower Studios in September 2007.