Creative Hub Opens on San Fernando Boulevard, Tailored for Entertainment Industry Freelancers

A new coworking space designed specifically for entertainment industry freelancers opened its doors this week at 1847 San Fernando Boulevard, filling a long-standing gap in Burbank’s business landscape.

StudioSpace Collective occupies a renovated 8,000-square-foot former auto parts warehouse, complete with 50 flexible workstations, three private podcast recording booths, a 40-person screening room, and dedicated spaces for video editing and color correction work.

“Burbank has always been the entertainment capital, but freelancers have been working from coffee shops or cramped home offices,” said Maya Rodriguez, StudioSpace’s founder and a former Disney animator who spent five years bouncing between various generic coworking spaces. “We wanted to create something that actually understood the unique needs of our industry.”

The timing couldn’t be better. Recent strikes in Hollywood have accelerated the shift toward freelance and project-based work, with many entertainment professionals seeking alternatives to traditional studio employment. According to the Burbank Chamber of Commerce, entertainment-related freelance businesses have increased 23% since 2022.

Designed by Industry, for Industry

Unlike typical coworking spaces, StudioSpace features specialized amenities that speak directly to entertainment workers. The podcast booths come equipped with professional-grade microphones and soundproofing. The screening room includes a 4K projector and surround sound for dailies reviews and client presentations. Even the WiFi infrastructure was designed to handle large video file transfers.

“The devil is in the details,” explained Rodriguez during a Tuesday morning tour. “We have color-accurate monitors, adjustable lighting that won’t interfere with video calls, and enough power outlets that you’re not fighting over them when everyone’s charging their cameras and laptops.”

The space also includes a “prop closet” stocked with basic lighting equipment, tripods, and backdrops that members can borrow for quick shoots or client calls.

Member Jessica Chen, a freelance casting director who previously worked out of her Magnolia Park apartment, said the professional environment has already made a difference. “Yesterday I had three Zoom auditions with talent, and having a proper backdrop and lighting setup made me look so much more professional. It’s worth the membership fee just for that.”

Community Over Competition

Perhaps the most innovative aspect of StudioSpace is its focus on collaboration rather than just providing desk space. The membership structure encourages networking through monthly “pitch nights” where members can present projects and seek collaborators.

“In traditional offices, you’re competing with your coworkers,” said member David Park, a freelance sound mixer who lives in Toluca Lake. “Here, we’re all in different specialties. The editor at the next desk might need someone to clean up audio, and I might need someone to create graphics for a client presentation. It’s naturally collaborative.”

Rodriguez instituted a unique “skills board” where members post their specialties and availability. Since opening two weeks ago, the board has facilitated connections between a documentary filmmaker and a composer, a social media manager and a video editor, and several other pairings.

“The entertainment industry runs on relationships,” Rodriguez noted. “But when you’re freelancing, it’s hard to build those relationships sitting alone in your home office.”

Membership Tiers and Pricing

StudioSpace offers three membership levels. The “Hot Desk” option at $199 per month provides access to shared workspace during business hours. The “Dedicated Desk” membership costs $349 monthly and includes 24/7 access plus storage space. The premium “Studio Suite” at $599 per month includes a private office and priority booking for the podcast booths and screening room.

All memberships include high-speed internet, printing, coffee, and access to the monthly networking events. The space is open 24/7 for dedicated and suite members, acknowledging the irregular schedules common in entertainment work.

“I’m often editing until 2 AM when notes come in from clients on the East Coast,” said member Tom Williams, a freelance video editor. “Having a professional space I can access anytime is huge.”

Local Business Integration

StudioSpace has also partnered with several Burbank businesses to offer member perks. Across the Pond restaurant provides catering for events, while Frame & Reference camera rental offers discounts on equipment. Local print shop Reprographics handles any large-format printing needs.

“We want to support the broader Burbank business ecosystem,” Rodriguez explained. “Our members are going to need services beyond just desk space, and we’d rather keep that spending local.”

The space has already caught the attention of Burbank’s economic development office. “This kind of specialized business incubator is exactly what we want to see more of,” said City Councilmember Sharon Springer, who attended the soft opening event. “It keeps our creative talent in Burbank and creates new opportunities for collaboration.”

Future Expansion Plans

Rodriguez is already eyeing expansion, with plans to add a second location in the Media District if the San Fernando Boulevard space reaches capacity. She’s also considering specialized workshops on topics like freelance business management and intellectual property law.

“The response has been overwhelming,” she said. “We’re at 60% capacity already, and we just opened. There’s clearly demand for this kind of specialized workspace.”

For now, StudioSpace is focusing on building its founding member community. The space hosts free tours every Friday at 2 PM for prospective members, and Rodriguez encourages anyone in the entertainment industry to stop by.

“Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out as a freelancer, having the right environment and community can make all the difference,” she said. “That’s what we’re building here.”

StudioSpace Collective is located at 1847 San Fernando Boulevard and is open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 6 PM for tours and inquiries. Current members have 24/7 access. More information is available at their website or by calling (818) 555-SPACE.