Where to Photograph the Future: Tours of Film, TV and Transmedia Production Sites

Where to Photograph the Future: Tours of Film, TV and Transmedia Production Sites

Struggling to find curated, photo‑worthy production locations and safe viewpoints? You’re not alone. As transmedia IP houses like The Orangery scale up in Europe and the Filoni era reshapes the Star Wars map in 2026, fans, photographers and scenic‑travel planners need a clear, practical guide to studio visits, backlot photography and transmedia exhibition spaces that welcome visitors—or at least offer nearby vantage points for great shots.

Quick take: Why this matters in 2026

Two industry shifts are reshaping film tourism right now: (1) the rise of boutique transmedia studios (see The Orangery signing with WME in January 2026) that actively develop IP across comics, games and immersive exhibits, and (2) a creative reset at major franchises—most noticeably Star Wars under Dave Filoni—bringing fresh production activity and public experiences. Together, these trends mean more public exhibitions, pop‑up sets, and curated tours that photographers can plan around to capture iconic imagery.

“The William Morris Endeavor Agency has signed recently formed European transmedia outfit The Orangery…,” Variety, Jan 16, 2026.

How to use this guide

This is a practical, region‑by‑region guide for planning production tours, studio visits, and backlot photography. Each entry includes: who can visit, nearby public viewpoints for photography, best times to shoot, and quick permissions tips. At the end you’ll find sample itineraries, gear and legal checklists, a simple workflow for turning images into licensed prints, and a downloadable studio map workflow you can recreate with free tools.

2026 trends to plan around

• Transmedia studios are public facing. New European players like The Orangery are engagement‑driven, partnering with agencies for talent and exhibition deals—expect gallery shows, VR demos and book‑to‑set pop‑ups in Turin and other creative hubs. For creators preparing to pitch, our Transmedia IP Readiness Checklist is a useful starting point.
• Franchise refreshes mean temporary sets and events. Under new creative leads (e.g., the Filoni era at Lucasfilm), production cycles speed up—conventions, location shoots and promotional backdrops will be more frequent. If you handle PR or brand continuity around franchise changes, see guidance on navigating audience backlash during franchise changes.
• More immersive exhibitions and traveling showcases. Museums and private studios increasingly mount traveling transmedia exhibitions, giving photographers controlled access to high‑design sets (related reading: experiential showroom strategies).
• Stricter drone and privacy rules. Since late 2024–2025 regulators tightened urban drone rules worldwide. Always check local UAV laws and studio policies before planning aerial shots.

North America: Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, and New Zealand tie‑ins

Los Angeles / Burbank

Why go: LA is the classic hub for production tours and backlot photography. In 2026, studios balance visitor access with tighter security—but public tours remain some of the best curated experiences.

• Warner Bros. Studio Tour (Burbank) — public tours of soundstages, sets and the backlot. Best photo vantage points: exterior backlot facades during late morning (soft shadows) and the studio lot perimeter for candid architecture shots. Tip: book the premium tour for early access to less crowded sets.
• Paramount Pictures Studio Tour — limited capacity; reserve weeks ahead. Photographers should ask for permission if shooting professional gear; handhelds are usually OK on public areas.
• Universal Studios Backlot Tour — a theme‑park style experience but with active set views. Great for dynamic, motion‑filled shots; bring a stabilized lens for ride narrative frames.
• Star Wars ties — Lucasfilm’s public presence in LA now centers on fan events, gallery collaborations and Disney parks (Galaxy’s Edge). Direct studio access at Lucasfilm remains restricted, so plan for official exhibitions or Star Wars Celebration events for immersive photo ops.

San Francisco Bay Area (ILM, Weta ties)

Why go: VFX houses and boutique production firms curate open studios and demo days. Industrial Mid‑level studios often host portfolio nights and community showings.

• Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) — ILM occasionally hosts public demos and conferences in the Bay Area; follow their press calendar for studio days. Nearby public viewpoints can capture the exterior facilities but professional interior shots require media accreditation.
• Weta Workshop / Weta FX (Wellington connections) — production tourism in New Zealand is thriving. The Weta Cave Shop & Exhibits in Wellington welcomes visitors year‑round and provides close‑up images of props and miniatures—an essential stop for Star Wars fans and photographers alike.

United Kingdom & Europe: Leavesden, Pinewood, Babelsberg, Cinecittà and The Orangery

Leavesden / London

Why go: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London (The Making of Harry Potter) is the template for experiential studio tourism—high production value exhibition photography with access to iconic set pieces.

• Warner Bros. Studio Tour London — The Making of Harry Potter — staged sets, immersive lighting, and dedicated photography policies that allow high‑quality interior shots. Book the earliest slot to avoid crowds and use a wide lens for full‑set compositions.
• Pinewood & Shepperton — limited public tours or open days. Monitor studio websites for annual open weeks and film festivals that grant guided access. Nearby country lanes and public footpaths can offer contextual backlot perspectives; respect private property.

Babelsberg & Berlin area

Why go: Babelsberg Studios (Potsdam) offers guided tours of historic stages and modern production facilities. The combination of 1920s architecture and working stages provides a wide range of scenic shots.

• Best times: weekday mornings for soft light and controlled crowds. Bring a telephoto for compressed architectural details from public walkways.

Italy: Cinecittà (Rome) and Turin’s transmedia scene (The Orangery)

Why go: Cinecittà remains Italy’s flagship studio with guided tours and set reconstructions. Turin’s creative scene is heating up: in 2026, The Orangery—an emerging transmedia IP studio founded by Davide G.G. Caci—has signed with WME and signals a new kind of visitor‑facing IP house that may roll out pop‑up exhibitions or festival collaborations across Italy and Europe.

• Cinecittà Studios — guided tour routes plus the Cinecittà exhibition spaces offer controlled access to classic set pieces and contemporary backdrops. For scenic photography, target early afternoons when the warm Roman light complements plaster and stone textures.
• The Orangery (Turin) — currently a fast‑growing transmedia IP studio; track their public program announcements. Expect gallery installs, signing events, and transmedia demos tied to properties like Traveling to Mars. If they launch open studio days, these will be prime for conceptual photography and graphic‑novel themed scenes.

Central Europe: Prague, Barrandov, and transmedia festivals

Barrandov Studios in Prague runs guided tours and has staged lots used in international productions. Combine a studio tour with walking routes in the old town to photograph how production design meshes with historic streets.

Asia & Oceania: Wellington (Weta), Sydney and beyond

In addition to Weta in Wellington, Sydney’s Fox Studios and local production hubs often host market days or public showcases. New Zealand remains a Star Wars pilgrimage site with accessible workshops and exhibition centers—perfect for close‑up prop photography and behind‑the‑scenes style portraits.

Practical photography & visit tips (actionable checklist)

Before you go

1. Check official tour pages. Studios change policies often; verify what’s allowed immediately before booking.
2. Email press/PR for permission. If you plan to use photos commercially (prints, licensing), request written permission ahead of time. For structured media access requests, templates and tooling for press outreach can be informed by applicant and accreditation workflows (applicant experience platform guidance).
3. Map your viewpoints. Build a two‑layer map: (A) official tour stops and (B) public vantage points within walking distance. Use Google My Maps or Maps.me and surface listings with microlisting techniques (microlisting strategies).
4. Book early. Popular tours (Leavesden, Warner Bros. Burbank, Cinecittà) sell out weeks in advance.

On the day — shooting rules of thumb

• Arrive 30–45 minutes early for queue shots and quiet exteriors.
• Use a fast wide zoom (24–70mm f/2.8) for interior sets; a 70–200mm for compressing backlot facades from a distance.
• Stabilize: smaller gimbal or monopod for low‑light exhibits. Many tours forbid tripods—confirm first. For field rig and stabilization ideas see our field rig review.
• Respect signage and staff instructions—studios enforce safety and IP protections strictly.
• Do not fly drones without explicit permission. Many studio roofs and backlots are no‑fly zones under new 2025–2026 regulations.

Permissions, licensing and commercial use

If you plan to sell prints or license photos of studio sets, always get written approval from the studio or exhibit operator. For transmedia IP (like Star Wars or Orangery properties), IP holders often restrict commercial use. When in doubt, approach the studio’s licensing or publicity department with a clear proposal. Also consider regulatory and commercial due diligence when planning commercial runs or limited editions (regulatory due diligence).

Sample 3‑day mini itineraries

LA/Burbank — “The Classic Tourist Photographer”

1. Day 1: Warner Bros. Studio Tour (premium slot), Warner Bros. Ranch perimeter shoot at sunrise.
2. Day 2: Paramount Studio Tour + Hollywood Hills viewpoints at golden hour for scenic context shots.
3. Day 3: Disneyland/Disneyland Park (Galaxy’s Edge for Star Wars set photography under guest policy).

London/Turin — “Transmedia & Backlot”

1. Day 1: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London (early slot).
2. Day 2: Pinewood open day or local film museum; evening in central London for cinematic urban frames.
3. Day 3: Fly to Turin (season permitting) or substitute Rome; visit The Orangery pop‑ups/exhibitions if scheduled, and photograph graphic novel exhibition installations.

Studio map workflow (create your own printable map)

1. Open Google My Maps and create a new map.
2. Add layers: Official Tours, Public Viewpoints, Transit/Accommodation.
3. Pin each site with notes: admission, photography policy, best light times.
4. Export as PDF for offline use; print two copies—one to carry and one spare.

How to monetize production photos ethically

• Licensing: Approach the studio/licensor if images include recognizable IP elements. Studios often have a clear licensing path for prints and merchandising.
• Gallery shows: Transmedia studios and local galleries like to host themed nights—pitch a limited print run tied to a studio or exhibition. Pop‑up strategies for collectors can inform limited runs (pop‑up playbook for collectors).
• Stock & editorial: Use editorial tagging when licensing images that depict copyrighted sets under news or educational use.

Gear & tech checklist for 2026

• Primary body (mirrorless) + wide zoom (24–70mm) and tele zoom (70–200mm)
• Fast prime for low light (35mm or 50mm f/1.8–f/1.4)
• Small gimbal or monopod, spare batteries, high‑capacity cards — see portable power and live‑sell kits in our gear & field review.
• Mobile hotspot or eSIM (some studio visitor centers have limited Wi‑Fi) — offline tools and notes can help if connectivity fails (Pocket Zen Note & offline-first routines).
• Portable permission document (PDF proof of any written approvals)

Case study: Photographing a transmedia launch — lessons from Orangery’s rise

When The Orangery signed with WME in January 2026 it signaled a playbook that photographers and scenic‑travel planners can model: boutique transmedia studios will use pop‑up exhibitions, graphic‑novel installations and festival booths to raise IP profile. For photographers this means:

• Watch PR calendars for signing announcements and festival showcases.
• Apply for media access early—transmedia studios prefer curated coverage. If you manage accreditation, applicant experience tooling can streamline requests (applicant experience platforms).
• Plan thematic shoots that reflect the IP’s visual language (e.g., sci‑fi palettes for Traveling to Mars).

Safety, etiquette and trust tips

• Follow staff instructions and do not touch props or set elements unless invited.
• Use the grey area: photograph exterior architecture from public paths rather than trying to breach controlled perimeters.
• Credit studios and IP clearly on social posts—this builds goodwill and sometimes invites reposts or formal partnerships.

Further reading & sources

• Variety, Jan 16, 2026 — reporting on The Orangery signing with WME (context on transmedia growth).
• Forbes, Jan 16, 2026 — reporting on Filoni era at Lucasfilm (context for Star Wars production shifts and fan interest).

Actionable takeaways

• Plan three weeks ahead for the most popular studio tours and apply for media access when planning commercial use.
• Map official tours and nearby public viewpoints—create a two‑layer map for any city you visit.
• Respect IP and safety rules—you’ll preserve access and avoid legal headaches when monetizing imagery.
• Track transmedia studios like The Orangery for pop‑up exhibitions—these are often the richest visual opportunities for conceptual, high‑impact shots.

Final note — the Filoni factor and the next wave of Star Wars pilgrimage

With Dave Filoni at the creative helm in 2026, expect renewed production energy around Star Wars projects. While full studio access to Lucasfilm remains limited, the franchise’s transmedia expansion—including streaming projects, exhibitions, and themed park updates—creates many photographic moments outside traditional studio gates. Plan around events and official exhibitions to get the best, licensable imagery.

Ready to build your studio map and itinerary?

Download our free printable checklist and step‑by‑step Google My Maps template (link in the CTA). Start mapping studios, backlot viewpoints and transmedia exhibits for your next photographic pilgrimage—whether you chase props, facades or immersive graphic‑novel installations created by studios like The Orangery. Photograph the future where it’s being made.

Call to action: Subscribe to scenery.space for a downloadable studio tour map, monthly updates on transmedia exhibitions (Orangery alerts included), and a curated calendar of Filoni‑era Star Wars fan events and official exhibitions. Share your best studio shots with #SceneryStudioMap and we’ll feature a photographer each month with licensing opportunities.

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