WB buying more studio space for Smallville?

[B]

Couldn't find anything about this & it probably needs its own thread as it might mean something... or nothing at all.

Could either be in connection with a possible 10th & final season? Could be something to do with some wire rigs? Could be something to do with the 'TV movie' or another potential 'TV Movie'. Or it could mean absolutely nothing.. either way, it sounds promising providing its all accurate.

YVR Film, the Vancouver-based production database, has revealed that Warner Bros. have purchased the buildings surrounding Smallville Studios (where the show is primarily shot), and are making the studio bigger.

This is further 'proof' that Smallville will be sticking around for a little while longer, as it is a long-term investment buying more buildings, given that Smallville Studios is already one of the largest exclusive-use studio spaces in Vancouver (housing the 50+ sets used by the Smallville team). The expansion also indicates a budget increase for the series, as shows traditionally recycle or re-decorate older sets to make way for new ones, instead of buying entire new buildings.

Given the series is almost entirely set in Metropolis, it makes sense the new sets will be urban. In recent episodes, Smallville has resorted to using greenscreen (and even the Watchmen set) to make Metropolis look bigger, so naturally it may be more cost-effective to just create a new city set. Personally, I hope they build a 'City Square' set, like Metropolis' version of Rockefeller Centre. It would further showcase the scale of Metropolis, plus make for an incredible battlefield location.

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/MediaMode/news/?a=12616

 

[JackIvyGB]

Definitely anticipating a bigger Metropolis. Maybe a few city streets that they can construct flight rigs over?

I agree with the article about creating various other city locations besides just streets. a rockefeller centre or times square type area would really give the city a massive feel. Maybe Clark and Lois finally actually move to Metropolis and we'll see them get their own apartments or something? I know it's been established that Smallville is just outside of Metropolis, but it'd be cool to see them finally assimilate fully into the city life. That farm is his one attatchment that still keeps him in young Clark Kent mode as opposed to full on "countdown to Superman". Sure, he'd still visit as much (he needs some place to practice flying ), but his own place would be cool.

Maybe some more settings for the Blur to stop crimes? Stuff like a bank, a convenience store, places like that if we were to see more of the blur in action.

Or, and this is a stretch, but maybe after this whole Zod/RAO industries/Solar Tower stuff hits the fan (in what I'm assuming will be this season's finale), and maybe Perry White comes in to take over the Daily Planet, we'll see Tess setting up LexCorp "in memorium" of Lex to start her own business, but use Lex's name for power, only to be unwittingly bought out by an unseen force throughout the end of the 10th season, and finally Lex(Michael Rosenbaum) in person shows up at the end of the season/last episode/tv movie/whatever, to take over the company in person as CEO, keeping Tess as his assistant, putting them in sort of a Megatron/Starscream relationship (or an evil version of Bruce Wayne and Lucius Fox). If that's the case,they could be setting up a "MercerCorp", only to have it eventually be taken over and turned into LexCorp.

I wonder if the PTB have a main ongoing villain in mind for season 10 that provides a new threat to Clark in a way that causes him to rethink his dual identity, as far as refining it in a way that allows him to be more public about his good deeds because this villain would have no qualms about attacking or calling Clark out in the daylight hours in the middle of the city. This could mean they'd need new sets for battles, but would also play into the storyline of Clark refining his dual identity/costume into the final phase of Superman.

Hmmm... lots of possibilities.

And, I'll go ahead and get this out there just so we can go ahead and dismiss it...

WB DC DECIDED TO LET SMALLVILLE GO OUT WITH A GREAT BIG BANG AND THEY'RE ALLOWING BATMAN TO COME OUT AND THE SET IS FOR THE BATCAVE AND A COUPLE STREETS IN GOTHAM!!!

Haha, yes, we all wish, but it's not gonna happen.

Definitely lots of possibilities for these new sets, but it's most likely city expansions in some way, shape, or form.

 

[Webhead2006]

I actually posted this news already in the season 10 thread. But yea i cant wait to see what this entails.

 

[Mike22]

This is some really puzzling piece of news. Why on Gods green Earth would they buy more buildings to expand the sets for a show in it's ninth season??
The shows budget has been decreasing for years now and suddenly it appears to now be going up? Strange stuff.
There are a couple theories to be brought forth that could make sense about this sudden change of events, so to say.
Last season Smallville experienced a ratings increase and this year even when moved to the friday death slot, they still managed to keep the ratings. I read over at K-site that Smallville is, and I quote, "One of TV's most DVR-recorded shows" Gaining 1.3 million viewers leading up to a total of 3.47 million viewers, which is great considering the move to Friday.
Just goes to show that even the frikkin' death slot can't bring down the Man Of Steel. Smallville has a truly loyal fanbase that stick with it no matter what.
My theory is that once the CW saw that even on friday the show still performs strongly, they decided to do what it took to keep it there for as long as they can, because as far as I understand, Smallville is the only show from the CW that can actually hold it's own on friday night. So if they are indeed going for a 10. season, then they're going all out and giving them what they need to really make the show spectacular and keep it's viewers and perhaps even gain some new ones.
So this news is really excellent, because it means they're expanding the sets which will lead to the show looking more spectacular and, dare I dream, We may actually get some realistic flying scenes. Funny how Smallville seems to be heading to to a really strong ending.

 

[Spirited Away]

I'd put money on Season 10 needing extra sets. Definitely budget increase, that article says they already have over 50 sets!

Out of boredom, let's count them - I'm not including external locations, only the sets contained within Smallville Studios:

Smallville:
- Kent Barn
- Kent farmhouse ground floor (4 rooms)
- Kent Bathroom
- Clark's bedroom
- Talon cafe
- Talon apartment
- Talon back-alley (outdoor set)
- Smallville Medical Centre
- Garage (outdoor set)
- Luthor Mansion: Tess' Office
- Luthor Mansion: Master Bedroom

Metropolis:
- Downtown Main Street (outdoor set - HUGE!)
- Back alley (outdoor set)
- Daily Planet basement
- Daily Planet backroom
- Daily Planet: Tess' office
- Daily Planet rooftop
- Watchtower (HUGE!)
- LuthorCorp office
- Ace of Clubs
- Metropolis General
- Outside of Metropolis General (outdoor set)

Other:
- Fortress of Solitude
- Queen Industries airplane
- Generic warehouse (HUGE!)
- Generic laboratory
- Generic city apartment

Any others?

 

[ZIPBAGS]

I just wish they would use more city location scenes in Vancouver like they used to.

 

[triplet]

Actually, I don't think we've seen the Talon coffee shop all season, except redressed in Roulette as that casino. Not sure they're still using that.

And the Smallville Medical Center set I know was redressed for the Metropolis one, we've not seen that set since they started having scenes in Metropolis General...

And the outdoor shots of Metropolis General are stock clips, they show the same one over and over. That's not a standing set.

 

[Doc Ock]

Possible sets for a spin-off? Maybe?

 

[Webhead2006]

This is some really puzzling piece of news. Why on Gods green Earth would they buy more buildings to expand the sets for a show in it's ninth season??
The shows budget has been decreasing for years now and suddenly it appears to now be going up? Strange stuff.
There are a couple theories to be brought forth that could make sense about this sudden change of events, so to say.
Last season Smallville experienced a ratings increase and this year even when moved to the friday death slot, they still managed to keep the ratings. I read over at K-site that Smallville is, and I quote, "One of TV's most DVR-recorded shows" Gaining 1.3 million viewers leading up to a total of 3.47 million viewers, which is great considering the move to Friday.
Just goes to show that even the frikkin' death slot can't bring down the Man Of Steel. Smallville has a truly loyal fanbase that stick with it no matter what.
My theory is that once the CW saw that even on friday the show still performs strongly, they decided to do what it took to keep it there for as long as they can, because as far as I understand, Smallville is the only show from the CW that can actually hold it's own on friday night. So if they are indeed going for a 10. season, then they're going all out and giving them what they need to really make the show spectacular and keep it's viewers and perhaps even gain some new ones.
So this news is really excellent, because it means they're expanding the sets which will lead to the show looking more spectacular and, dare I dream, We may actually get some realistic flying scenes. Funny how Smallville seems to be heading to to a really strong ending.

Oh totally mike it really makes you wonder what the heck is going on. It does seem the cw is finally seeing the girl demo thing isnt working out or something. As for money/budget does make you wonder where it is going. But if they are getting more that is great for us fans. Also if this is really for season 10 we need to get some more cool sets. Apartments for lois/clark, maybe a new daily planet floor, maybe a few exterior locations for metropolis streets(courtyard/police station/banks/market), govt base for waller if she is a threat in 10th season....

 

[TheLongestDay]

New Superman Movie?? (I can dream)

 

[Spirited Away]

Actually, I don't think we've seen the Talon coffee shop all season, except redressed in Roulette as that casino. Not sure they're still using that. And the Smallville Medical Center set I know was redressed for the Metropolis one, we've not seen that set since they started having scenes in Metropolis General... And the outdoor shots of Metropolis General are stock clips, they show the same one over and over. That's not a standing set.

Metropolis General and Smallville Medical Centre are the same set. And the outside of it is kind of a standing set, it's actually the entrance to Smallville Studios.

And though we haven't seen most of them, the sets I listed as still probably there. They re-dress them, or use them for storage whenever they're not in use.

 

[Webhead2006]

yup