FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO1000)

It wasn’t by accident that I talked so much about movies and Arnold Schwarzenegger in my last blog post. I love movies and now we finally visit a studio.

Warner Bros. was our choice because we are both not that much into rides. If that’s your thing or if your plan to visit with your kids you should definitely look at the other options. 2023 was the year of Oppenheimer and Barbie so of course there is the car and the hideous rollerblade outfits on display in the entry area.

FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/3.6, 1/60 sec, ISO2500)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO4000)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO2000)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/4.5, 1/60 sec, ISO320)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (23mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec, ISO250)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (23mm, f/5.6, 1/320 sec, ISO200)

First we went on a guided tour in an oversized golf cart. Our guide was extremely enthusiastic. He talked very fast but it was easy to follow him. At the time of our visit the writers strike was still on so the studio area was practically abandoned. Occasionally we saw another tour cart but beside that it felt like a little post apocalyptic except that the buildings and the greens look well maintained.

We saw the little rain forest where the T-Rex scene of Jurassic Park has been shot, the “Friends” fountain and street scenes where many famous movies got shot. It was really interesting to peek behind the curtain. Our guide offered to take pictures of the participants  in front of famous buildings. I was not interested of course as I’m not a selfie person either but that changed after he mentioned a famous rock group.

FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/250 sec, ISO4000)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/4, 1/250 sec, ISO250)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/4, 1/600 sec, ISO200)

Of course: The studio buildings looked familiar to me even though I never visited the place before. The cover of Pink Floyds “Wish You Were Here” album was shot here almost 50 years ago. I couldn’t resist and we had to recreate the album cover.

Another highlight was the biggest indoor studio that usually is very busy and can’t be visited. But thanks to the writers strike there was no filming so we could see the famous stage 16 where scenes of many famous movies were shot. Movies like Ghostbusters, The Goonies or Jurassic Park. Or Inception, Dunkirk or Tenet to use more recent films. They also mention “Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the crystal skull” on the plate beside the entrance but I don’t know why. I like Indiana Jones but that one was a total disaster.

I love movies and to roam these halls where so many films and tv series have been made is something truly special. Next stop: Self guided tour.

FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/125 sec, ISO12800)