Tyler Perry Studios pivots to virtual production with Synapse partnership

This move signals a fundamental transition for major production hubs where virtual production is no longer a specialized add-on but a standard expected capability. For the streaming ecosystem, this lowers the barrier for complex VFX-heavy content by embedding technology that reduces reliance on location shoots and lengthy post-production cycles. By normalizing LED volumes within one of the largest independent studio lots in the U.S., the deal pressures rival East Coast facilities to modernize or risk losing mid-to-high budget episodic productions. Watch for whether this permanent installation leads to a broader resumption of Tyler Perry’s previously paused $800 million campus expansion plan.

The partnership with Synapse arrives as Tyler Perry Studios navigates a complex period of physical and technological transition. In February 2024, Perry notably halted a planned $800 million expansion of the Atlanta campus—which originally included 12 new soundstages—citing concerns over how generative AI models like OpenAI’s Sora could reduce the need for physical infrastructure (per The Hollywood Reporter, February 2024). While the large-scale build-out remains on hold, the studio has shifted focus toward projects that balance modern technology with traditional labor, including a 38-acre mixed-use 'Entertainment District' slated for completion in January 2028 (per Secret Atlanta, July 2025).

This trend of embedding virtual production into permanent soundstage infrastructure is accelerating across the industry as the cost of hardware declines. According to analyst reporting, the number of permanent LED volume stages in North America has grown from fewer than 40 in 2021 to over 120 by early 2026, driven by a double-digit year-over-year drop in the cost of LED panels (per Sageworx, April 2026). Major players are similarly deepening their footprints; Netflix recently unified its Scanline VFX and Eyeline Studios units under the Eyeline brand to streamline its high-end volumetric capture and ICVFX capabilities (per Netflix, October 2025).

Synapse's expansion into Atlanta follows its existing operations at LA Center Studios and a planned facility in New York. The company’s recent credits include providing production services for Artists Equity on projects such as 'The Accountant 2' (per CBS News, July 2026). By establishing a permanent foothold in the 365-acre Tyler Perry Studios complex, Synapse is positioning itself to capture the recurring demand for high-end virtual production as studios move away from one-off rentals toward integrated, software-enabled production environments.