As most Black people fight for a veritable seat at the table, Tyler Perry told the 2019 BET Awards audience that he, instead, went off to build his own table.
Fans got a glimpse of this stupendous table during his monstrously successful Tyler Perry Studios grand opening near downtown Atlanta in October. Fans and media alike were awed by the jaw-droppinng guest list that incuded; Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Samuel L. Jackson, Halle Berry, Cicely Tyson, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Tiffany Haddish, Michael Ealy and so many more.
This week, Perry gave fans a behind-the-gates journey through his mammoth movie-making land spread over 330 acres. It is not only the largest movie studio in North America, but it is bigger than the studios owned by Paramount, MGM and Disney combined.
It might also be the busiest studio in the country. In addition to the place where Black Panther and The Walking Dead were filmed, it is also the epicenter of Atlanta film production as Coming 2 America and Bad Boys for Life were shooting scenes there. In addition Perry’s “The Oval,” and “Sistas” broadcast from the studios, and “Bruh” is currently in preproduction there.
Superstar director Ava DuVernay (Selma, When They See Us, “Queen Sugar”) provided the sneak peek which whetted the appetite of fans to see more.
Working in conjunction with Architectural Digest, fans got an up-close and personal tour of the property.
“Today we take you to Atlanta, Georgia to tour the sprawling Tyler Perry Studios. Home to productions like Marvel’s Black Panther and AMC Networks’ The Walking Dead, the self-made entertainment legend’s production compound is larger than Warner Bros. and Walt Disney’s Burbank studios combined,” the detailed description reads. “12 newly-dedicated sound stages are joined by an entire backlot neighborhood called “Maxineville,” featuring a perfect replica of Madea’s house. Tyler Perry Studios is the centerpiece of Georgia’s burgeoning film industry and a testament to the vision, success, and generosity of its founder.”
Check out Perry’s tour of his eponymous studios below:
