Post by sir mPost by Matt BarryI've posted some video I shot of the old Chaplin Studio on La Brea Avenue
during my trip to Hollywood last week. I thought it may be of some interest
to anyone interested in the studio, or Hollywood history in general. It's
interesting to note how little the exterior, at least, has http://youtu.be/-4i-BOApTMU
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Matt Barry
View my films at:www.youtube.com/comedyfilm
Read my blog at:http://filmreel.blogspot.com
Inside the Studio,is there any evidence of the Silent era?
Depends on what qualifies as evidence for you. The original
freestanding film vault, with its exterior steel door, is still there
although it is now incorporated into the corner of a larger building.
The carpenters shop was significantly remodeled for use as graphic
artist's workspaces and offices, but meticulous care was taken to
maintain its historical integrity. The original flooring was retained
but covered with new material to protect it. The original exterior
wood siding was also retained and the original ext. chop saw used for
set construction starting with the First Nationals is still there.
Chaplin's office, personal dressing room, and the screening room are
still in their post-1929 locations (moved about 15' east of their
original placement to accomodate a widening of La Brea Ave.) although
the office and dressing room spaces have somewhat altered interiors.
The building housing the other dressing rooms still exists in a
slightly modified configuration from original (also necessitated by
the same widening of La Brea). The original shooting stage exists in
exactly the location that it did in 1918 and has changed in only minor
ways since it was enclosed and soundproofed in 1939. Chaplin's
original footprints from 1918 are still faintly visible in the walkway
next to the swimming pool, although they are partially covered by
steps to the recording studio built (don't remember exactly when) on
top of the pool.