The Columbia Ranch and the conceptual future…
The Future is Now …Ready for business in the Artificial Intelligence Era of Film Making
Gate 11 on Hollywood Way- as the sun sets on my old ranch backlot. Maureen and I bidding another backlot farewell. as the guard in the shack screams and calls the police.
Not my first Rodeo…
Here is an example of A.I at work- who is who and what is what…The Twilight Zone
Security in a panic-that part is real-“Hey buddy, your pissing me off.” says Donnie the transformed ape..Fantastic examples of A.I.-right down to shadow placement. You use any picture as a base point, and simple audio commands create whatever ambiance you are looking for. This is the new Hollywood, game changing stuff-what could go wrong…EVERYTHING! Enjoy it before we become the prey to an intelligence that thinks and acts at the speed of light and never sleeps…
Gate 11 now- That W.B on the street sign may turn into ….Netflix
The new Gate 11 -Ready for service.
Obey all traffic laws, no cameras or recording equipment- is the first two rules…
More rules…“You will do time here in Burbank”
They still insist you “Keep Out” The new boss is the same as the old boss-“Don’t Get Fooled Again”
This tree was saved because-it’s in a shopping center where we use to enter this Studio ranch. Warner Brothers chose scorched earth and removed every single set, tree or bush. Behind this wall use to be Fantasy Island.Picture on left taken when sets existed-the other two our what we have today.
This was an old growth jungle, that’s why this set was built in this zone-a wonderful jungle greeted you.
The few stages this lot use to have can be seen in this picture only because the jungle had just been removed, otherwise magnificent trees towered above these barb wired walls.
The buildings overlooking the fountain and park set.
View from the rooftops…
Another view from the rooftops-A stage in the distance, The Fantasy Island Jungle as you creep closer and storage of things once used on shows.
Let’s go around the corner, check that fence out…More rules- Like Catholic School!
When sets shadowed city streets…
Oak St, -Stage 66 replaced my favorite Witch!
“Wiggle your nose Sam, make it comeback like it was!”
Stages that probably can simulate artificially what use to be here, albeit ARTIFICIAL.
“On lot” picture and appearance from street side.
This street has lost it’s Lucky Charms…
Zero Appeal Gate 31. That fence is built like a ladder, I could easily climb this at age 65. Expect a bank of cameras here soon. This once wonderful ranch now looks like a hospital …
“Get Me Outta Here!” says Hooper.
Even the Partridge Family wants no part of this “Artificial Hollywood“
A short hop from the Ranch to Warner Brothers on Hollywood Way.This car wash serviced part of our fleet at Universal Tours. Stand -By Transportation Vehicles were cleaned up at this car wash that serviced these 3 studios near by. The Ranch, W.B, and Universal, I would get calls to run vehicles through here when our own garage was too busy to wash cars, vans etc. The tram garage main focus was keeping trams up, running and clean.
I use to drive these in real life-what a fun job this was!….The stories these trams could tell !
Several trams have retired…The next thing you know-This tour will be …Artificial!
I have a site on WordPress-The Glamour Tram. Real life ” foot on the pedal” Tram Stories…Take a Ride with me!
These trams have been rolling since 1964, this one is going through the Earthquake animation.Boulders made of Styrofoam tumble towards this original Pink and White Tram.
A Future I didn’t need to see…
I just was at my old stomping grounds for a Christmas Party at The Universal Sheraton and drove around the Warner Brothers backlot and the Columbia Ranch. Of course I was saddened. I had to force myself to see what was the Columbia Ranch. Little did I know it’s still a virgin.
Not for long-finishing touches are being put in place and the future is here, weather you signed up for it or not. I spent a lot of time here beginning in the mid 70’s. This place replaced my urge to trespass when MGM was torn down. This became our go to lot. I trespassed all the studios in every city back then. No cameras, no sensors, the doors usually weren’t even locked where valuable props were stored.
This place, as was MGM, was extremely busy right until demolition started. Covid delayed the tear down because of the need for control for film crews to be in a safe environment. Filming did not stop, backlots still see lots of action. Universal and Warner Brothers get other studios rentals that no longer have backlot options. Scenes with lots of effects especially prefer being on backlots. Jumanji is currently at the Universal as I write this. Proof the backlots will always be popular to use if left standing.
I visited an old neighborhood above Universal...From a road above Universal-A train is at the backdrop surrounded by Blue Screen pictured right, At left, you see a Base Camp for Jumanji and the Psycho House. The Rock and Jack Black are the stars. My point is Backlots allow companies many more options than locations that require a ton of permits just to tie your shoes!
This is how my backlot looks today, right before Christmas 2025. Harry Potter’s Castle replaced the Universal Amphitheater, you can see the turrets above the giant blue backdrop. Stage 30 did not exist when I was there, Universal has added several high tech stages to keep up the cutting edge of how films will be made going forward. Stage 30 is located right behind Mayfield, or for others, The Back to the Future clock tower.
Our Destination for today’s party….
A peek inside The Sheraton Universal, our party is located on the 21st floor in a building Telly Savalas use to have a popular bar in. He lived here in a Penthouse. Kojak knew how to have a good time. His stories are legendary from us who met him, he use to offer up free booze to our tour guides.
View from floor 21. A Roller Coaster is being built where the Universal Sign use to display itself to the entire valley, but now Universal is is a resort / theme park/ studio.
The next big thing at Universal Tours is….A Roller Coaster
Merry Christmas…From all of us retired studio electricians- to all of you!
Written and Lived by….Donnie Norden
Phantom of the Backlots 