Warner-Bros - Warner Bros Studios : Take a look on the Studio Tour Plus

By Phillip Nakov, Burbank, Warner Bros Studios, 24 april 2022

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is a guided and walkthrough studio tour of Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank in Los Angeles. It offers visitors the chance to glimpse behind the scenes of one of the oldest film studios in the world over a two to three hour period. 

The studio tour in some form has been open for several decades, but it was renamed to give the Warner Bros. Studio Tours a more uniform identity after the success of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden. Previously, it was known as the Warner Bros. Studios VIP Tour. In the early days of Warner Bros. 

Jack Warner would welcome friends and special guests to the studio for tours. If Warner could not provide the tour himself, Mail Room employees were entrusted to show guests around the lot. These tours were not offered to the public and could only be arranged through employees; however, they still proved popular. Consequently, Warner sought to limit requests as he thought studio tours could cause a "slow-up" of the company's operations. One Mail Room employee, Dick Mason, was noted for giving very informative tours and was frequently the requested guide for studio executive's guests. Mason's knowledge led him to be assigned to Jack Warner's office to assist the Vice President of Worldwide Production.

In 1972, Warner Bros. faced financial hardships and signed a deal with Columbia Pictures, which was also struggling. They combined to create The Burbank Studios, a joint venture where they would share studio space.  In 1973 the new company opened a public facing Tour Department. Dick Mason was assigned to manage the new operation. All tours required an advanced reservation and cost $3. Mason's department included seven tour guides, and tours were limited to twelve people at a time. Tours were unscripted but included the back lots, sound stages, prop house, depending on availability. Without a budget for advertising, news spread by word-of-mouth. The tour proved popular due to its unscripted nature and saw 15,000 guests a year. 

As compared to the Universal tour, Dick Mason was interested in educating the public about film-making: "The entire tour is practical. There are no demonstrations or simulations. We're catering to families and kids. We just want to give insight to a business most people have misunderstandings about." The tours departed about four times a day and were around three hours. In 1990, The Burbank Studios dissolved and Warner Bros. reclaimed the rest of the studio from Columbia Pictures when Columbia moved to the former Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lot in Culver City. The Tour Department was relocated into a building next to the studio's Gate 4 on Hollywood Way which allowed the public to inquire about the tour without needing a pass. It shared the space with a Studio Store. Dick Mason retired from Warner Bros. in 2000 and Danny Kahn assumed leadership of the Tour Department. Kahn moved the location of tour to an office building previously occupied by Columbia Pictures across the street from Gate 5. He successfully pushed to increase the frequency of the tours but kept the size of the tour groups small and unscripted nature. The tour became more streamlined and began more aggressive advertising. In 2015, the tour rebranded itself with the launch of Stage 48: Script to Screen. The expanded tour uses a new name, a new logo, and newer tour carts.

There are 2 tours currently available. The standard Studio Tour which lasts 2 to 3 hours and the Tour Plus which lasts 4 hours. The new Studio Tour Plus experience brings you closer than ever to the entertainment you love with more opportunities to hear the stories from behind the camera with one of our knowledgeable tour guides. You will begin your studio tour in our Deluxe Lounge with a variety of snacks and refreshment*.  After viewing our welcome film in the deluxe screening room, you will spend 2 hours with your expert guide (a full additional hour over the standard Studio Tour) as you explore the historic 110-acre studio and learn how we bring the magic of TV and film to life on the big and small screen. You will take a lunch in the expanded Central Perk Café included in this tour, offering a New York deli-inspired menu, dining in recreated sets from Friends, and shopping for exclusive merch from the beloved show.

- Welcome reception includes complimentary coffee, juice, water, soft drinks, and an assortment of pastries and snacks.
- Lunch includes one hot or cold entrée, one side (chips, salad, or pastry), and one hot or cold beverage.
- Tour Duration: about 2 hour guided + 2 hours unguided, shopping, and lunch at central perk cafe

Soundstage
All tours include a visit inside at least one stage of a current production that is not actively filming. Frequent stages visited include those of The Big Bang Theory, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and Pretty Little Liars.

The Backlot
A series of outdoor sets representing various location such as New York, a mid-western town, and a jungle.

The Archive
A collection of props and costumes from Warner Bros. movies and TV shows, currently featuring assets from the Harry Potter films and the DC Extended Universe.

Picture Car Vault
A garage with cars used in film and television. Currently featuring Batmobiles from Warner Bros. movies.

Stage 48: Script to Screen
An interactive soundstage which takes guests through the production process. The soundstage opened July 16, 2015 and is the final stop on the tour.Stage 48 is self-guided and includes the original set of Central Perk from the television show Friends where guests can take pictures on the couch. There is also a green screen video opportunity where guests can fly on a broomstick from Harry Potter or ride on a Batpod as seen in The Dark Knight. In addition to the attraction, the building includes a cafe and coffee shop themed to "Central Perk" from Friends as well as a gift shop.

More information in the official website : https://www.wbstudiotour.com/tour/studio-plus/

Our official photos are available on our Flickr page

Photos and video : Phillip Nakov