Globo inaugurates new studios and celebrates its wealth of talents in the largest content production complex of Latin America
With a new production concept and cutting-edge technology, the project was designed to provide increased flexibility to the production of scripted formats and boost efficiency, productivity and logistics.
08-08-2019
Rio de Janeiro, 8 August, 2019 –
Where do the boundaries between creativity and innovation lie? In an environment where the best talents come together there are no limits. With the inauguration of its three brand new studios in Rio de Janeiro, Globo opens up a new era for managing and producing entertainment, expanding even further Latin America’s largest content production complex – Globo Studios. With a built-up area of 26,000 square meters, the project, which was developed from a new production concept, brings Globo’s original scripted content to the same level as other great international productions, offering what is most technologically advanced and modern in the audio-visual industry. With this sizeable expansion, Globo Studios now occupies an area of 1.73 million square meters, with 13 soundstages totaling a built up area of 12,500 square meters, a venture that will expand its production capacity of telenovelas, series, mini-series, original formats, reality, variety and sketch comedy shows.
“In the transformative age we live today, there is nobody in the media industry that does not hold their breath in anticipation of what is yet to come. Some may become paralyzed by fear; others may keep moving forward, but as if their eyes were closed. The position of the Globo Group, throughout its existence and given all the transformations it has faced, has always been another one: to embrace novelty with intrepid optimism and courage. And the driving force to behind our success has always been the recruitment of the finest talents; our emphatic commitment to quality; and the will to take steps with the urgency the situation demands, but at the same time with the responsibilities associated with the desire to move forward,” said Roberto Irineu Marinho, Chair of Grupo Globo’s Board of Directors, at the official inauguration ceremony this morning, in which were also present João Roberto Marinho and José Roberto Marinho, Deputy Chairmen, besides cast members and executives of the Grupo Globo companies.
From the initial research to construction work, the project took five years to complete. With an investment of more than R$ 200 million, the new complex is the combination between what is best in the audio-visual industry with the expertise of Globo, which has developed innovative in-house solutions of global impact. The redesign of the management and production processes, combined with new technology standards, aim to bring greater agility and flexibility to Globo’s content production.
“I could see the passionate dream glinting in the eyes of all of those working to make this a reality. And this is exactly what we are: people who make dreams come true; dreams that will have an emotional impact on others. This is what companies like ours do; they work with dreams and emotions. And in our business, if emotions and dreams are stale, we go nowhere. I would like to pay tribute to all of those who helped build this here and all the people who work on a daily basis to bring to life to so many other dreams and say that the view one has depends on the mountain one climbs. And Globo is not afraid of heights”, said Jorge Nóbrega, Chief Executive Officer of Grupo Globo.
The inauguration of Globo’s new studios is considered an achievement not only for the company but also for Brazilian culture. For a TV studio production complex already committed to producing annually approximately 3,000 hours of entertainment, the new facilities will allow Globo to further enhance its production capacity, which in turn will provide new possibilities for the development of its own talents.
“I see these walls as blank pages. Empty pages that will be filled with emotionally laden stories, written to move us and all Brazilians, wherever they may be. Where many see an enormous space equipped with what is most technologically advanced out there, I see the works that will come to life in here. Telenovelas and series, vibrant stories that will be born within these walls and then transported abroad to delight global audiences, with the Brazilian culture and talents conquering the world. From here, we will be able to touch the hearts of Brazilians a little more, make them smile a little more, make them travel a little more in the world created, acted out, set, directed and lit by all of us,” said Carlos Henrique Schroder, CEO at Globo.
Innovative Solutions: a new production model
One of the project’s most noteworthy features is the development of a new concept for the production of scripted genres, which will provide greater artistic and creative resources for the directors of Globo’s telenovelas, as well as better image quality. The fully integrated production studios comprise standing sets with self-supporting structures that add more realism to the productions. The production facility, for example, allows cameras to move around an external area of 4,000 square meters in a continuous single shot. Or even a long shot in a continuous take initiating from two orchestra pits – using an international theater-inspired solution – which were adapted to fit the needs of the production environments. Also 8x6m high-performance soundproof doors have been installed in the soundstages, a much higher standard than the ones currently available in the country, and which required the development of an acoustic solution, unique in the market.
It is also worth noting that smart and sustainable architecture was also deployed in the construction of the new project. With 100% of its energy coming from renewable sources, the undertaking is endowed with a green roof – which contributes to the saving of energy –100% LED lights, efficient air-conditioning systems and a solar energy plant. Dressing rooms gave way to changing cubicles and spacious lounges were designed for the cast to socialize, read, rehearse or simply relax. Besides this the company also reuses water produced by air conditioning units and rainwater; treats 100% of the sewage water it generates; and carries out collection of selective waste. More than fourteen thousand seedlings of native species were planted at the Globo Studios to promote the reforestation of the environment.
The project is part of important restructuring processes by the company initiated some years ago, with the implementation of new models of creation, management, talent management, content production and distribution. The learning and know-how acquired throughout this endeavor are also currently being implemented in the modernization of the network’s other studios – in every aspect, from the architecture to the technology deployed.
The first scripted drama to be produced in the new facility is the 9:00 p.m. telenovela ‘Amor de Mãe’ (Mother’s Love), written by Manuela Dias and directed by José Luiz Villamarim. The shooting is forecast to commence in October.
Technology: the future has already arrived at the new studios
The technological investments in the new Globo production facilities deserve their own chapter. Considered the most fundamental transformation affecting traditional broadcasting is the migration of television networks away from aging analog communications platforms toward digital services based on Internet Protocol (IP). The adoption of such technology will enable the studio complex to distribute virtually any type of content over managed networks and the internet for viewing on any type of device. The solution allows for the traffic of large volumes of information and more agility in the processes of capturing thereof and editing.
The new facilities are endowed with wireless equipment, which has eliminated the need for the multiple cables used in cameras and microphones, thus ensuring greater agility and mobility of the shootings, besides providing a much more orderly environment. With an eye on the future, the three new studios were designed to support video formats such as 4K and 4K HDR – which offer four times higher resolution than Full HD – combined with High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology that offers a much wider range of color detail, brighter highlights and increased contrast. Besides improving imagery quality and providing a more immersive viewing experience, producing television content in the highest resolution ever created facilitates post-production and prepares the company for future technologies.
The inauguration – 8/8
The launch of an environment created for an infinite future, which embraces innovation, creativity and talent, is the highest expression of vitality. To mark the date and celebrate the inauguration ceremony of the new production studios, the event’s schedule was divided into three distinct parts.
Throughout the afternoon, an audience formed by collaborators, clients, partners, journalists and digital influencers will follow roundtable discussions about the creative industry, innovation and culture, which will also stream live on Globo’s official profiles on social media sites. Pedro Bial and Aline Midlej will moderate the debates, which will feature names from the audio-visual industry, like George Moura, Luisa Lima, Andrucha Waddington, Caio Gullane, Manuela Dias, Mauro Mendonça Filho, Andrea Barata Ribeiro and Rodrigo Teixeira, as well as exponents of the themes discussed, such as neuroscientist Sidarta Ribeiro and Suzana Herculano-Houzel and the President of the Albert Einstein Hospital, Sidney Klajner. And to crown the day there will be a concert performed by Caetano Veloso and his sons Moreno, Zeca and Tom Veloso, and invited guest DJs.
The Globo Studios in numbers
· Total area of the TV studio complex: 1.73 million square meters
· Total built-up area of the TV studio complex, including the new studios: 192,000 square meters
· 13 sound stages totaling 12,500 thousand square meters
· Up to 15,000 people circulating daily in the complex
About the MG4 studios
· 3 new production studios, 1,500 square meters each, totaling 4,500 square meters of usable area
· 26,000 square meters of built-up area
· External integrated production facility of 4,000 square meters
· 8x6m soundproof doors
· 5-year project
· An average of 500 professionals a month involved
· 14,000 new seedlings planted
· 2 orchestra pits of 70 square meters each
· Solar power plant of 4,500 square meters, generating 1.05 million KWH of electricity in the first year
· 700 direct jobs were generated during the construction phase