Inside the New Production Hubs: Cities to Visit Where Media Companies Are Rebooting

Start here: Why this matters if you’re planning a short trip to a creative city in 2026

Planning a weekend escape that doubles as a behind-the-scenes peek into the media world shouldn’t mean hunting through a dozen blogs and cold-emailing publicists. In 2026, production is moving faster and more regionally than ever: legacy media brands are rebooting as studios, transmedia IP houses are signing with major agencies, and LED-volume stages and tax incentives are reshaping where content gets made. That means more accessible studio tours, pop-up showcases, and street-level creative scenes worth visiting on short trips.

If your pain point is scattered planning, this guide gives you one curated map: cities that are gaining production investment now, why they matter, and 48–72 hour itineraries that let you experience their creative ecosystems—studio tours, museums, co-working spaces, and the best local hangouts where producers and creators actually meet.

The 2026 shift: What’s new in production hubs (quick take)

• Reboots and new leadership: Companies like Vice Media are repositioning as production-first studios, hiring senior finance and strategy executives to scale studio operations and content commercialization in late 2025 and early 2026. That creates renewed investment in city-based production offices and shoots.
• Transmedia IP growth: European players such as The Orangery (Turin) signing with major agencies like WME signal that comics, graphic novels, and transmedia IP are central to new production pipelines—bringing location shoots and creative development to smaller, culturally rich cities.
• Tier‑2 cities rising: Beyond LA/New York/London, production is flowing to cities that combine incentives, studio capacity, and creative talent—think Atlanta, Toronto, Turin, Berlin, and Lisbon—creating new cultural tourism linked to production.
• Tech & sustainability: The rise of LED-volume stages, virtual production workflows, and greener production practices means studios are investing in retrofit spaces and new campuses—many of which now offer tours or public programming in 2026.

How to use this guide

This article is organized by city. Each city entry includes: why it’s getting investment now, what to see for a short trip (48–72 hours), studio and behind-the-scenes opportunities, local tips to get access, and budget/time-saving advice. Start with the cities that best match your travel hub and interests, and use the itinerary templates to book a trip in under an hour.

1) New York City — Rebooted media nerve center (best for industry networking)

Why visit in 2026

New York remains a production magnet as companies rebuild studio divisions and anchor East Coast shoots. Vice Media’s renewed focus on studio operations and commercial partnerships is revitalizing NYC production floors and sending creative briefs through the city’s agency, post, and freelance ecosystems.

48–72 hour itinerary

1. Day 1 — Studio pulse: Morning — schedule a guided tour of a working post-production house (many offer public tours by appointment). Afternoon — visit Chelsea media co-working spaces (e.g., primary creative hubs) to catch portfolio reviews or open mixers. Evening — hit a live storytelling night (The Moth or local indie showcases).
2. Day 2 — Museums & markets: Morning — Tour the Museum of the Moving Image (Queens) for exhibition on modern production workflows. Afternoon — Walk DUMBO and Brooklyn studios where indie production companies shoot. Evening — Attend a film festival screening or industry panel.
3. Optional Day 3 — Meetups: Book a short in-person consultation with a local fixer or production manager (use LinkedIn or local film commissioners) to learn about upcoming shoots and how to join a set as an observer.

Top tips

• Book studio and museum tours at least 2–3 weeks in advance.
• Use evenings for networking—many productions schedule mixers after shoot days.
• For budget stays, use Brooklyn or Queens boutique hotels; you’ll be closer to creative hubs.

2) Los Angeles — The studio economy’s playground (best for studio infrastructure)

Why visit in 2026

LA is reinventing studio life with investment into LED volumes and production campuses. With talent and exec movement between agencies and studios, the city is a prime spot to see large-scale stages, showrunner offices, and post-production facilities in action.

48–72 hour itinerary

1. Day 1 — Studio tours: Morning — secure a tour of a historic lot (Warner Bros., Sony, or a specialty LED-volume studio). Afternoon — visit a post house or sound stage open day. Evening — screenings at a local indie theater paired with cast Q&A.
2. Day 2 — Production neighborhoods: Morning — explore film-friendly neighborhoods like Culver City. Afternoon — book an on-set visitor pass if available (some productions allow limited public visitors via ticketed experiences). Evening — industry happy hour in Hollywood or DTLA.
3. Day 3 — Tech & labs: Visit virtual-production labs and prop houses; many open to public tours during festival weeks (check schedules).

Top tips

• Leverage official studio tour operators (e.g., On Location Tours) for guaranteed access.
• Weekdays are best to observe production activity; weekends are often closed.
• If you want to see virtual production demos, prioritize studios that advertise virtual production demos.

3) Turin, Italy — Europe’s rising transmedia cluster (best for comic IP and transmedia)

Why visit in 2026

Turin is on the radar after the emergence of companies like The Orangery, a transmedia IP studio headquartered there that recently signed with WME. This signals agency interest and new development money landing in cities outside the usual Euro capitals—perfect for travelers who want a blend of film, comics, and hands-on cultural access.

48–72 hour itinerary

1. Day 1 — Comics & film: Morning — Visit the National Museum of Cinema (Museo Nazionale del Cinema) at the Mole Antonelliana. Afternoon — Walk through Quadrilatero Romano and the galleries where graphic-novel artists work. Evening — Try a local wine bar frequented by creatives.
2. Day 2 — Meet the makers: Morning — Check if The Orangery or local studios have public events or exhibitions; many transmedia houses run portfolio evenings. Afternoon — Tour OGR Torino’s event spaces for media showcases. Evening — Attend a comic book launch or local screening.
3. Day 3 — Day trip: Visit nearby film-friendly locations used for period shoots or genre production; connect with a local fixer via Turin Film Commission.

Top tips

• Check WME and agency announcements for public signing events and panels in Turin during trade trips.
• Language: Many younger creatives speak English; booking a local fixer can unlock studio visits.
• Combine your trip with a regional food tour—Turin’s culture scene is culinary as well as creative.

4) Atlanta — Production scale with a southern creative culture (best for big-crew shoots)

Why visit in 2026

Atlanta’s ecosystem—studios, production services, and tax incentives—remains attractive for high-volume production. As companies scale studio operations outside LA, Atlanta continues to be a primary U.S. production hub with growing public-facing experiences and tours that showcase how large-scale shoots are managed.

48–72 hour itinerary

1. Day 1 — Studio overview: Morning — Book a bus tour of Atlanta’s major studio lots and filming locations. Afternoon — Visit a prop house or equipment rental facility open to visitors. Evening — Explore the local music scene; composers and sound designers often collaborate closely with productions.
2. Day 2 — Production community: Morning — Attend a local film commissioner briefing or industry meetup (many are public). Afternoon — Walk through neighborhoods frequently used for on-location shoots. Evening — Dine with a local production coordinator (arrange through Meetup or a local film guild).

Top tips

• Book tours through verified operators—some production lots allow curated, limited public access.
• Prepare to travel across the metro area; traffic can double transit times.

5) Toronto — North American production with festival energy (best for festival-goers + studio access)

Why visit in 2026

Toronto’s combination of Pinewood studios, TIFF and an expanding post-production market keeps it a top choice for productions and transatlantic partnerships. 2026 shows continued studio investment and festival programming that often includes behind‑the‑scenes sessions and industry panels.

48–72 hour itinerary

1. Day 1 — Studio & TIFF culture: Morning — Visit Pinewood Toronto for a guided look at large-scale stages. Afternoon — Explore TIFF Bell Lightbox exhibitions on production design and attend an afternoon panel if available. Evening — Catch a premiere or repertory screening.
2. Day 2 — Local creatives: Morning — Meet animation or VFX studios (many offer tours during market weeks). Afternoon — Walk the Distillery District for galleries and indie studios. Evening — Dinner in Queen West and a rooftop bar frequented by creatives.

Top tips

• Plan around TIFF or local industry weeks for the best access to panels and studio tours.
• Cold-weather travel (winter) may affect outdoor location tours—plan accordingly.

6) Berlin (and Potsdam) — Festivals, studios, and cross-border talent (best for European indie + tech)

Why visit in 2026

Berlin’s festival circuit and the neighboring Babelsberg studios (Potsdam) create a powerful draw. Recent festival programming through late 2025 and early 2026 has included increased industry panels on production tech and cross-border financing—bringing more studio-backed work to the region.

48–72 hour itinerary

1. Day 1 — Festival & museum: Morning — Visit a Berlin film museum or exhibition focused on European cinema. Afternoon — Walk festival venues and network at industry bars. Evening — Screening with director Q&A.
2. Day 2 — Babelsberg tour: Morning — Take a guided tour of Babelsberg Studios (Potsdam) to see classical lots and modern sound stages. Afternoon — Explore creative hubs in Kreuzberg. Evening — Attend a live electronic music set often used by post houses for sound design networking.

Top tips

• Book Babelsberg tours in advance; festival seasons screw up availability.
• Combine your trip with visits to regional post houses to see VFX pipelines in action.

Actionable advice to actually get onto sets and into studios

• Reach out early: Studios and production houses have tighter calendars in 2026. Email PR or touring departments 2–4 weeks ahead and offer clear reasons for a visit (press, research, study trip).
• Use festivals and market weeks: TIFF, Berlinale, and local film weeks are your best shot for public panels, studio open days, and networking events. Plan around festivals and market weeks if you want guaranteed public programming.
• Book verified tour operators: Companies such as On Location Tours, local film commissions, and studio visitor programs guarantee access and logistics.
• Hire a local fixer: For true behind-the-scenes access, a one-day fixer or production assistant can arrange set visits and introductions—cost-effective if you split with travel companions.
• Time your visit: Weekdays are more active; early mornings are when set movement happens. Respect privacy and non-disclosure rules—many productions restrict photography.

Budgeting and transport: How to save money without losing access

Production hubs often have strong transport links and a wide range of hotel tiers. To save time and money:

• Stay near transit hubs that connect to studio districts. In cities like Toronto and Berlin, this slashes commute time.
• Use short-term rentals or boutique hotels with co-working lounges to combine accommodation and workspace.
• Book tours as packages (studio + museum) for discounts; many cities bundle tourist and industry experiences.

What to watch in late 2026 and beyond — trends that will shape production travel

• Transmedia IP drives city choice: As agencies like WME sign transmedia houses (The Orangery) and studios look for adaptable locations, cities with comic-art tradition and adaptable architecture will see more shoots and public programming.
• LED volumes & virtual production will create visitor-friendly demos: Expect more paid experiences showcasing virtual production in action—book these early.
• Greener, community-integrated shoots: Local communities will increasingly see productions as partners. This means more public-facing initiatives (open days, educational tours) tied to sustainability commitments.
• Studio campuses outside capital cities: Watch for growth in secondary cities that offer cheaper real estate and film talent—Turin is a prime example in Europe.
• Micro-events and listings: Keep an eye on micro-events and local listings that can suddenly add public programming around a shoot or festival.

Real-world example: What the Orangery deal and Vice’s reboot tell travelers

Two late-2025/early-2026 developments are instructive. First, The Orangery, a Turin-based transmedia IP studio, signed with WME—this shows agencies are placing bets on regional IP houses and that city-level creative infrastructure will get agency backing. For travelers, that often results in public launches, exhibitions, and local events where creators present work.

Second, Vice Media’s leadership hires and studio-focused reboot mean the company is likely to consolidate production hubs and host more public-facing showcases as it expands studio capabilities. When large media companies pivot to production, they often open up press tours, educational events, and community screenings—great opportunities for industry-curious travelers.

Safety, etiquette, and legal basics for production tourism

• Always follow NDAs and no-photo rules on set; breaches can have legal consequences.
• Respect crew time—don’t interrupt moving shots or rehearsals.
• If you’re filming yourself on location, check permits; many historic sites and studio lots require permission for tripod or professional equipment.

Sample packing list for a productive 48–72 hour production-hub trip

• Business cards & digital portfolio link
• Lightweight laptop & portable battery
• Comfortable shoes for studio lots
• Notebook and pens for rapid contact capture
• Compact audio recorder if you plan interviews (with permission)

Final checklist before you go

• Book studio tours and museum tickets in advance.
• Confirm local contacts and exchange a short agenda so visits are focused.
• Download city-specific transit apps and studio maps.
• Bring two lines of communication: mobile data and a local SIM or eSIM for meetings and quick confirmations.

Actionable takeaways

• Pick one city from this guide and plan a 48–72 hour trip around a studio tour + one industry event.
• Book 2–4 weeks ahead for studio access and use festivals/market weeks to boost chances for panels and tours.
• Hire a fixer or local guide if you want guaranteed behind-the-scenes access; it’s often cost-efficient for a small group.
• Look beyond capitals: Cities like Turin offer a rich blend of IP-driven activity and cultural access that’s perfect for creative tourism in 2026.

"The media world is decentralized in 2026—where production money flows, tourism follows. Plan smart and you can see how shows and IP are made, live." — discovers.info travel editorial team

Ready to plan your trip?

Whether you want to see an LED volume demo in LA, attend a transmedia panel in Turin, or walk the lots in Atlanta and Toronto, now is the time to book. The companies driving these changes—studio reboots like Vice and transmedia firms signing with major agencies—are creating public-facing moments and tours you can experience on a short trip.

Call to action: Choose a city from this guide, tell us your travel dates, and we’ll send a custom 48–72 hour itinerary with studio-tour contact templates and a short list of local events to book. Email our travel desk or start a chat—your next behind-the-scenes creative getaway is just a booking away.

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