perkie1968

Hey everyone,

My son is going to college in the fall for Animation. We are planning a short trip to LA in July as a high school graduation gift (5 days). Was wondering if any of the studios do tours, especially the animation ones. Would think this would be cool to see. I've googled but can't seem to find any, and am wondering if anyone knows anything that I haven't found.

Thanks in advance.

Also, whats the best part of town to stay in, if we want to do the usual touristy thing (Universal Studios, Walk of Fame, chinese theatre.....) We don't want/need a nightlife area, as we'll also have a 9 year old with us. So looking for something not too far off the beaten track but still close enough to the sights. Hoping the hotel has breakfast included, though that's not a deal breaker.

Thanks

dbdurand

Here's something on studio tours.

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/top-l...n-los-angeles/

jamie99

dbdurand has listed the only 3 studios (other than Universal which is more of a themepark) that are open for tours. Warner Bros. is the most popular due to more frequent tours. Also there is a minimum age limit, WB is 8, Paramount is 10 and Sony is 12.
Disney Animation Studios are not generally open to the public and Pixar is located up in Emeryville (outside of San Francisco).

perkie1968

Thanks everyone.

Tabernash2

Congrats on your son's college plans!
Which school is he going to? Our DS went to LMU and got a great degree in their school of Film & Television & Recording Arts.
SoCal is a great place to find these types of creative ventures.

There is a lot of animation being done by the gaming companies in particular. DS knows which ones, and where they are in LA.
I seem to recall they are located down the hill from LMU, in the old Hughes buildings. I will ask him if you want.
Probably some of them in Venice Beach, the new 'silicon beach'.

Tabernash2

I don't know if you're interested, but for what it's worth, I asked DS about the gaming companies in the LA area. He said it is a really hot industry now, and that on-line gaming is becoming a spectator game. Yikes.

Here are the three companies he mentioned off the top of his head:
Electronic Arts
Blizzard Entertainment
Amazon "Twitch"

EA is the one I was thinking of that was close to LMU in the old Hughes complex. He said they moved out of there.

I'm sure your son knows all about these companies.
It's a whole new world out there!

DebbieDoesDulles

WB Tour doesn't hit the animation facilities which are a mile away from the main studio. Universal would be more fun for kids as it has an amusement park along with the short tour of the studio & sets.

Best Western Media Center is walking distance to the WB Tour and 8 min drive to Universal . I saw a good review recently for "El Royale Hotel" near Universal and the Mikado Hotel is close by & budget-friendly too.

Anything near Universal is also convenient to Hollywood, it's just a 5 min ride on the subway or a 15 min drive.