Entertainment:
WB Stages 1, 2 and 3
For its first five seasons, The Ellen DeGeneres Show was at NBC Studios in Burbank, California. In 2008 it relocated to the nearby Warner Bros. lot and began production from the newly constructed Stage 1 complex. The new space – consisting of Stages 1,2, and 3– underwent extensive retrofitting and ARC Engineering provided brand new mechanical systems to transform it into a state-of-the-art production and broadcast facility.
The existing stages were not originally designed for large, live audience capacity. In the works for more than 15 months, ARC teamed with HOK Architects and Warner Bros. in-house contractors on the tapeless, High Definition 36,000 sq. ft. total complex. The new space features a fully self-contained, 19,000 sq. ft. production facility on three floors within the stage 3 building. The “Ellen” building contains the show’s control room, machine room, audio and editorial suites, host and guest dressing facilities, and the green room. Additionally, the complex features a library, lounge/audience waiting area and “Ellen” store.
Noteworthy was Ellen’s desire to keep the AC in the new studio set consistently in the low 60’s. Apparently, if it’s too warm her audience might be lethargic and Ellen definitely prefers her audiences to be lively.