- Tyler Perry Studios is partnering with Synapse Virtual Production to develop a virtual production-enabled soundstage on its Atlanta campus, expected to be operational by the end of 2026.
- The new facility will feature LED volume technology, advanced camera tracking, and real-time 3D environments powered by engines like Unreal Engine, allowing filmmakers to create expansive digital worlds indoors and reduce the need for location shoots.
- Tyler Perry emphasizes that while embracing virtual production and AI in filmmaking, it is crucial to prioritize the well-being of the crews who keep productions running, ensuring that traditional production jobs remain intact.
Tyler Perry has never been one to stand still. Whether it’s reopening production during the pandemic, stepping up with millions in charitable giving during the recent government shutdown, or expanding one of the country’s largest independent studio lots, the filmmaker has consistently adapted to whatever comes next.
Now, he’s preparing Tyler Perry Studios for Hollywood’s next evolution with a new virtual production soundstage—but says the people behind the camera will remain his top priority.
According to AfroTech, Tyler Perry Studios has signed a multi-year agreement with Synapse Virtual Production to develop and operate a virtual production-enabled soundstage on its 365-acre Atlanta campus.
An existing stage will be transformed with LED volume technology, advanced camera tracking, and real-time 3D environments powered by engines such as Unreal Engine, enabling filmmakers to create expansive digital worlds indoors while reducing the need for location shoots and large physical sets.
The facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2026 and will also be available to outside productions.
The move continues Perry’s long-running effort to make Atlanta an even bigger destination for film and television. Tyler Perry Studios was among the first major production facilities to resume filming during the COVID-19 pandemic after implementing strict safety protocols, helping restart an industry that had largely ground to a halt.
But even as virtual production and AI become larger parts of filmmaking, Perry insists the technology shouldn’t come at the expense of the crews who keep productions running.
“I’m paying close attention to what these tools can do, and I’m also thinking about the people who make this industry work,” Perry said. “This collaboration is about moving forward in a way that keeps crews working and traditional production jobs intact while also allowing creatives new ways to build worlds and tell stories for the big and small screens.”
That measured approach isn’t new. In 2024, Perry put an $800 million expansion of Tyler Perry Studios—including plans for 12 additional soundstages—on hold after expressing concerns about how rapidly AI-generated video technology was advancing following demonstrations of OpenAI’s Sora model.
While that expansion remains paused, Perry has shifted his focus to projects he believes balance technological innovation with long-term job creation, including the virtual stage and a planned entertainment district in southwest Atlanta.
Synapse CEO Justin Diener called the partnership “a defining moment” for both companies, saying the new facility will allow creators to “tell bigger stories, create more immersive experiences, and push the boundaries of what’s possible on screen.”
Producer Beau Flynn, a member of Synapse’s advisory board, said Perry is uniquely positioned to lead that transition.
“Tyler Perry has always been a visionary builder and a fierce defender of the people who make production possible,” Flynn said. “This collaboration with Synapse makes Atlanta an even stronger home for filmmakers and producers, with virtual production tools that expand what teams can do while keeping the process human and crew-led.”
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