MBS Media Campus

A friend and I came to MBS Media Campus (Manhattan Beach Studios) on a Saturday afternoon for a taping of America’s Funniest Home Videos. In fact, it was the very first episode to feature new host Alphonso Ribiero. At the time of this review, the premier of the 26^th season and the 1^st to showcase Al (as production staff called him) has not even aired. So I will not get into the videos that will be seen. What I can tell you is that we had a great time. We were told to dress nice and my friend was given a card that said she was a finalist for best dressed. I should have been a male finalist with my suit and homemade plaid bow tie but I guess I was overlooked. At least she was honored. Best of all, we laughed and cheered for almost the entire 3 ½ hours it took to film.
Upon arrival, we were greated by very professional yet friendly gate guards who checked my ID and directed me to the nearby parking structure where we would show our tickets and sign our waivers for appearing on film. The staff here, not affiliated with the studio, were OK. Some were friendly. Some were maybe a bit gruff with us. They were repeatedly telling people that is was the last chance they would have to use the restroom for many hours once filming started. At least the restrooms were near and clean. A star for the studio. We were all standing outside in the sun during this time with nowhere to sit and nowhere to complete the release forms. I wish the studio had a better facility for that.
Having stood in one place long enough it was time to move into the depths of the MBS lot. We walked single file like kids in school past parking lots and sound stages. Past fake plants and real. We walked single file until we reached the sound stage AFV is filmed on. And then we stood on line again. Then, ten people at a time were called into the studio for security check. It was a short but appreciated break from standing in the summer SoCal sun. Then it was back outside to stand on line yet again. I did get to see a celebrity while waiting so that was cool. It was Robert Irvine from Food Network driving by. That was part of an almost two hour wait but we were finally brought inside and seated. Then the magic began.
Television magic is special thing. To see how some of our favorite shows are created is a passion of mine. If I had the chance to work at a studio, I would be happy. Seeing all the faces and equipment that go into a production is fascinating. Visiting MBS for AFV is no exception. I was enthralled by the movement of certain seat-​fillers and standby audience memebers. They were shuffled between each segment depending on where our host was filming and where the cameras were positioned. You would never know all the behind the scenes goings-​on from the final product that aires at a later date (October 11, 2015 in this case). And therein lies the magic.
Having spent several hours on the MBS Media Campus both outside and in, I feel I am at least marginally familiar with the studio facility. I can tell you that it is very clean and well maintained. It looks and feels much newer than some other studios I have been too. It really is a nice facility. And its near the beach. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Nice studios! They seem newer and clean. I like that the parking structure is close to the stages so you aren’t walking forever. The seating for audiences is more comfortable than many other places too. It’s also in a really great area, with Flemmings and other restaurants just across the street. Hope to work here again!

I too came here for the Curse versus Counter Logic Gaming Quarter-​Final game during the S4 Summer Split Playoffs (League of Legends, e-​sports represent!).
NOTES:
~ To be fair, I have never been to any other media campuses to compare.
Atmosphere:
Seems really clean and well-​kept, including the bathrooms. It’s also not too confusing and in a great location next to loads of shops and other things to do, if you’re not particularly fond of their food at the café.
The inside of the studio looked awesome as well. Even though it was relatively small, it still wasn’t too cramped and had great design and infrastructure.
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Overall, I’m really happy with my visit here. Mind, I’m not sure how much of it was Riot Games being awesome versus MBS Media Campus itself, but judging from the other glowing reviews as well, trips to MBS Media Campus should definitely be considered if you have that option open.

Hello everyone! Went to an LCS tournament for League of Legends here! The staff here was great and very friendly and the place itself is pretty big. There is even a café there for you to get some food if you want. Even though they offer food inside while you are watching whatever event you are watching.
However inside is quite crowded and the seats are all hooked together so it could be a little bit of a tight squeeze so be prepared. Also it can get crowded during the breaks as well so please be careful!
Other than that the media was great. There were some very nice quality screens for you to watch the games at the LCS!
Have fun everyone!

I’ve been coming to MBS (formerly Raleigh) pretty much every weekend for the past three months. I’ve been working at an event held on one of the sound stages here. I have enjoyed my time at MBS, overall. The guards are very courteous. Parking in the structure is easy. The building where I work is very comfortable. I believe the lunches are catered by the café on the lot, Urban Beach Café I can’t really comment on how it is, as I bring my own food, but the people I work with seem to like it. MBS is a nice facility. It gets an extra star for being just 2.2 miles from my house.

This lot is immaculate. Close to some amazing shops like old navy, Trader Joes and REI to name a few. Conveniently located off the 405 and not far from the beach or LAX, so weather is optimal.

Sound stages are very nice, quiet and easy to work in. Building staff is really nice and parking is pretty well handled here. Better than a lot of the west side studios with too many things going on. Only downside is how far it is, but I’m sure everyone who has to come here and lives on the westside LOVES this place. From Pasadena to Manhattan Beach I can make it in about 45 minutes, so, considering that it’s 30 miles away, I accept those terms…
I hope that your next production is here, you’ll love it.

I was there just yesterday for The American Bible Challenge Show, the Number one show on GSN!
OMG F.U.N!
First of all, I am a huge fan of Jeff Foxworthy, I enjoyed him during Are you smarter than a fifth grader! I think he’s a good presenter, a natural.
I got to shake his hand his hand. We know who won’t be washing her right hand now!
Kirk Franklin! What a ball of energy, he is so adorable, very stylish and his choir is good. The audience guy, Joby or something? He’s cute, sociable, he talks to everyone in the audience. He gave me the mic at one point to sing The click song by Miriam Makeba.
I genuinely enjoyed myself, and was genuinely laughing from the pit of my stomach at Jeff’s jokes. It wasn’t one of those funny hahaha, things because you have to. I think he’s really funny. I know a lot of these talk show hosts are comedians but then they have writers who aren’t that funny or something? This guy’s material is good.
I would like to go back to this show for sure. The hour and a half commute there and back is worth it. Oh and the staff was ok, they didn’t go out of their way to be nice, but they were ok.
Tips — Pack a lunch and snacks, long day ahead
— no big bags, but you can take a regular size handbag with you, and can eat during commercial breaks, they won’t make you dance like some of the shows.
— The building itself doesn’t show in Google Maps, they take you as far as the shopping centre. The place is behind the centre, behind CVS.
— If you use public transport and are there for the afternoon taping, check if your buses will still be running after the show, don’t get stranded.
–please be nice and polite
–have a blast! Focus on the positive!

Worked there recently, and it’s a lovely lot! People are really nice!

I love this petite studio. Being an UNstage mama, my 6 year old son isn’t a fan of walking an entire studio lot so this was a nice treat :).

It seems as if everyone on this lot is so friendly minus the actual Raleigh employees. If you’re not renting a stage for a long period of time then you get treated very poorly. It’s very sad to think they don’t care. Oh well, we will not be here for that long anyways. The good thing about this studio is that it’s about a 10 minute drive from my house. This commute is the best thing I could’ve asked for. The commissary on the lot, better known as the Urban Beach Café serves amazing food. The downside is that they do not stay open too late. They actually close by like 2 or 3pm. The gate security are friendly and easy going. Overall, it’s not a bad lot.

I am giving 5 stars because of the guards. I was running late and the entry security guard was so extremely helpful and accomodating to get me thru security quickly, and the roof top guard showed me a short cut and a very easy way to get to building 1 in a nano second. After I was walking back to my car I had to laugh because they both must have seen the panic on my face but I thought it was very cool of them to help me out.
If you are attending an audition here be aware that the entrance is not on Rosecrans. You have to go around to the back to find the entry gates. And there are several buildings so depending on where your audition or filming is at, it could be a long walk. Actors are asked to park on the rooftop so it takes a while to get elevators, etc.

1^st time I went here was about a few years ago, before I had a car. At that time I had to walked through the gate which sucked because the security would ask me why I’m here and stuff.
2^nd time was just recently, and It was a pretty fun trip. In the beginning I didn’t think of this place a major studio lot. Walking by sound stages and set shoots made me realize how major this place is. I think its because its not a major studio like CBS, Universal etc. its what made me think its casual or average. The only reason I came here was for a meeting in Marvel.
Actually if you go inside its pretty clean, quiet and boring.

Wow to the person who had such a bad experience!!!
I went to a taping of Americas Funniest Videos the other day and had the best experience ever! From the lady at the gate who told us where to park, to the lady in charge of getting everyone organized to walk towards the studio, to the other lady who escorted us to the studio, every person we came across was delightful and genuinely happy to see and talk to everyone.
When we were walking through the metal detectors the security guards weren’t exactly chipper, but thats how they are supposed to be. You don’t exactly want sweet and caring security guards working anywhere. The warm up guy at AFV was nice and funny. They crew working the cameras and the people talking to the crowd were very nice as well. This is the first time I’ve given 5 stars on Unilocal and it wasn’t even a restaurant! Good job AFV!