LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 27, 2026--
Sunset Studios today announced the development and launch of a new collection of premium standing sets at the iconic Sunset Las Palmas Studios lot in Hollywood. Designed to meet the evolving needs of modern content creators, Standing Sets by Sunset Studios are versatile, production-ready environments offering an efficient, high-quality solution for both traditional film and television shoots as well as the fast-growing vertical format. Short-form studio Knockout Shorts has been a partner in the design and construction of the initial sets.
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Standing Sets by Sunset Studios, which are available for pre-booking now, will include a pre-lit grid and a range of camera-ready environments, such as a courtroom, apartment, bar/restaurant, hospital, and office. Each set is thoughtfully designed with production flexibility in mind, enabling creators to move seamlessly between scenes while maintaining a polished, cinematic look.
In addition to convenience and quality, the initiative delivers meaningful sustainability benefits. The standing sets are being repurposed from former major studio productions—sets that would otherwise be dismantled and sent to landfill. By reimagining and reusing these materials, Sunset Studios is reducing waste while extending the lifecycle of high-quality production assets.
Located within an 8,000-square-foot certified sound stage at the renowned Sunset Las Palmas lot, productions utilizing these sets will not require filming permits and will benefit from convenient access to the studio’s full suite of amenities and services. This includes ample parking, production support space, an on-site cafe and the high level of customer service that Sunset Studios is known for.
“These standing sets are about removing friction from the production process,” said Sean Griffin, Senior Vice President of Sales at Sunset Studios. “Creators can walk onto a completely built, and fully lit high-quality set and start shooting right away, while also enjoying the infrastructure and support of a premier Hollywood studio lot.”
“Our goal in designing these sets in partnership with Sunset Studios is to empower creators with speed, flexibility, and production value,” said Matthew Ko and Chris Crema, co-founders of Knockout Shorts. “These sets are designed to serve both the next generation of storytellers and established productions looking for efficiency without compromising quality.”
By combining thoughtfully designed environments, turnkey convenience, and the resources of a full-service studio lot, the Sunset Las Palmas standing sets are positioned to become a go-to destination for productions of all sizes.
For more information and to inquire about bookings, please visit SunsetStudios.com.
About Sunset Studios
Sunset Studios is a leading global vertically integrated provider of production facilities and services, including sound stages, equipment and transportation assets. Home to iconic television shows and award-winning movies for more than a century, Sunset Studios provides a world-class, streamlined production experience for major media companies such as Disney, Netflix and Apple. For more information, please visit https://www.sunsetstudios.com/.
About Knockout Shorts
Knockout Shorts is a vertical-first studio specializing in premium short-form scripted and unscripted storytelling designed for mobile audiences. Founded by Matthew Ko and Chris Crema, the company develops, finances, and partners with top creators, brands, and platforms to help shape the future of media consumption. By combining traditional Hollywood storytelling expertise with the fast-paced language of vertical content, Knockout Shorts is focused on elevating the creative standard of mobile-first filmmaking for a global audience.
Standing Sets by Sunset Studios at Sunset Las Palmas in Hollywood
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Win or lose, billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer will leave a mark in the history books in his bid to become California's next governor — he’s running the most expensive political advertising campaign in the country this year.
Steyer — a former hedge fund manager turned liberal activist — has spent or booked more than $195 million in ads for broadcast TV, cable and radio with the tally still growing, according to data compiled by advertising tracker AdImpact.
His torrent of ads has opened the one-time presidential candidate to criticism that he is trying to buy the governor's chair, and his ad total represents more than 20 times the amount spent by his nearest rival, fellow Democrat Xavier Becerra, as the two duel for a spot in the November election.
Nationally, his spending is unparalleled — no one is even close.
In Georgia, Republican health care executive Rick Jackson has spent about $83 million on advertising in his primary race for governor, which is headed for a June runoff, ranking him second. The third place spot is held by his Republican rival, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement and has spent nearly $31 million on ads, according to AdImpact.
Following Jones was Democratic U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, who spent over $28 million on advertising in a failed bid for U.S. Senate.
Katie Porter, a former U.S. House member who is among seven established Democrats in the California race, has repeatedly criticized Steyer for dipping into his personal fortune to keep ads in front of voters with scant competition from rivals.
“She isn’t spending hundreds of millions of dollars of personal wealth trying to buy the governor’s office,” her campaign wrote in an email to supporters.
In raw numbers, Steyer's ad blitz has eclipsed the 2010 record set by Republican Meg Whitman, who spent $178.5 million in total on a losing bid for governor, much of it her own money. At the time, it was the costliest campaign for statewide office in the nation’s history. When adjusted for inflation, however, Whitman still holds the state record, but that represented spending for the full election, not just the primary.
Steyer's record-level output has lifted him into contention in the crowded race, but he's not breaking away from the field. He's among a leading group of several candidates — including Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton — as the campaign heads toward a June 2 primary. Mail voting started earlier this month.
Still, Steyer's cash advantage is giving him a publicity edge as the contest enters its crucial final days. He's maintained a steady flow of advertising and online posts questioning Becerra's credentials and record, with Becerra, a former state attorney general and Biden administration health secretary, lacking the funds to reply in kind.
One Becerra ad sought to connect with voters who might be getting bleary-eyed from the cascade of Steyer advertising. It used tranquil scenes of Joshua trees, waves curling on a beach and soaring redwoods, with a gentle prod: “You can stop the endless Tom Steyer ads. Vote Xavier Becerra.”
Steyer’s financial edge has allowed him to stretch the boundaries of his campaign far beyond traditional TV and radio ads, with steady posts on online platforms like YouTube and Instagram. The New York Times reported that his campaign paid a progressive Texas influencer $100,000 to help Steyer win the election. The Sacramento Bee reported that Becerra, too, had hired an influencer.
In a statement, Steyer spokesperson Kevin Liao did not directly address the campaign's spending but pointed to millions of dollars pumped into ads by independent groups backed by Pacific Gas and Electric Co., real estate agents and others seeking to defeat the billionaire, who has promised to “break up the electric monopolies in California.”
Many voters have been slow to vote in a race without a star candidate and no clear leader. More than 50 names will be on the ballot. California uses a “top two” primary system that puts all candidates on one ballot, with only the top two vote-getters advancing to November, regardless of party.
“In a race this close, it all matters,” said Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta.
History shows that money doesn’t always translate into votes.
Billionaire developer Rick Caruso spent over $100 million in 2022 in his bid to become Los Angeles mayor, much of it his own money, but he was handily defeated by Mayor Karen Bass, who spent a fraction of Caruso’s total. Billionaire former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent more than $1 billion of his own money on his 2020 presidential bid before dropping out. And Steyer’s money was unable to lift him into contention in the 2020 presidential contest, from which he dropped out early in the year after a poor finish in the South Carolina primary.
Democratic San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan's campaign for governor was supported by independent committees bankrolled by millions of dollars from tech leaders and venture capitalists, yet he failed to gain traction in the race.
Steyer has never held elected office.
In a 2019 interview with The Associated Press, Steyer was asked what he would say to people who think he’s trying to buy the presidency.
“I don’t think that’s possible,” Steyer said at the time, before adding, “I’m never going to apologize for succeeding in business. That’s America, right?”
The contest is unfolding as California struggles with a long-running homeless crisis, wildfire insurance shortages, projected budget shortfalls and housing costs that are out of reach for many working-class families. Voters, meanwhile, are saddled with growing everyday bills for groceries, utilities and gas.
The AdImpact data does not include ads on some popular streaming services, like Hulu and YouTube, or mail advertising.
Tom Steyer speaks during a California gubernatorial debate in San Francisco, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, Pool)
Tom Steyer speaks during a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS Bay Area and the San Francisco Examiner in San Francisco, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, Pool)
