Dallas is one of the largest cities in the United States, famous for its strong economy, oil fields, and vibrant entertainment industry. Tourists love our city for its many attractions, creative events, festivals, and colorful concerts. But Dallas is also a popular filming destination for movies and television productions. Today, we’ll talk about the history and development of South Side Studios. Read more about it on dallaski.com.
What We Know About the Studio
South Side Studios is closely connected to the Texas film industry. The studio is located near downtown Dallas and spans over 70,000 square feet of production space and 50,000 square feet of support facilities. It includes three soundstages, a modern LED wall, dressing rooms, production offices, set construction workshops, and a large prop storage area.
Overall, South Side Studios is not just a collection of soundstages — it also features virtual production facilities. The studio has invested heavily in cutting-edge virtual technologies. For example, two virtual studios have been built with 270-degree LED walls, equipped with robotic cameras and advanced tracking systems for immersive content production.
The studio is operated by Talon Entertainment Finance, co-founded by Steven Demmler, who aims to make Dallas a leading film hub in Texas.
South Side Studios has become well known for hosting the production of hit TV shows such as Queen of the South, The Chosen, and Cruel Summer.
In 2023, a large-scale renovation project began at South Side Studios, with a reported investment of $200 million.
The Film Industry in Dallas
Overall, Dallas’s film industry has a rich and unique history. In the early 20th century, most U.S. film production was concentrated on the East Coast. However, thanks to favorable weather and vast open land, California soon became the epicenter of film and television production — a turning point that defined American cinema.
Over time, Dallas also established its own film market due to its strategic location, modern infrastructure, and growing creative community. The city started with independent films and smaller television projects, but its industry began to thrive in the second half of the 20th century, when Dallas became a filming location for large-scale productions.
After the release of the classic TV series Dallas (1978–1991), the city became instantly recognizable to millions of viewers — as well as to producers and directors. This exposure helped attract new film projects, supported by accessible filming locations, a convenient transportation network, and encouragement from local authorities.
The 2010s marked a rapid expansion for the industry. New studios opened, existing facilities were modernized, and Texas emerged as a viable alternative to Hollywood thanks to its state-of-the-art technology, virtual production capabilities, and competitive tax incentives.
A key player in this growth has been the Dallas Film & Creative Industries Office, which coordinates local film initiatives and supports innovative projects. Dallas continues to host numerous international and local film and television productions each year.
South Side Studios is an integral part of this thriving ecosystem and plays a crucial role in shaping the city’s film landscape. We hope you found this article informative and that it helped you learn more about our city’s film industry.
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