By Michael Howard

December 5, 2025

Spark Studio Soundstage, located in the heart of Kearny Mesa, is quickly becoming the focal point of San Diego’s expanding filmmaking efforts to attract big-budget projects as well as a central hub for locals. 

Owner Leo Kats says he initially acquired the former Channel 6 (XETV) facility to convert it into an events venue. But built into the property was something unique in San Diego: a professional television studio. “When the opportunity came to move into this facility I saw that there was a studio on site, so I thought, okay, well, we can rent that out for filmmaking at some point,” Kats explained.

As state and federal tax incentives renew interest in regional production, Spark’s leadership and studio infrastructure has positioned the facility as a practical, community-driven alternative for both local micro-budget filmmakers and visiting Los Angeles productions.

The space includes more than 40,000 square feet of shootable space, anchored by a 3,000-square-foot, double-walled, soundproofed soundstage—the largest of its kind currently active in the region. 

Although weddings and quinceañeras still form much of the venue’s revenue, Kats is clear about his long-term vision: “I would love to flip it and not be in the wedding business at all,” he said. “But that’s just not yet the case.” 

Kats and Spark Studio’s soundstage manager David Kamatoy point to long-standing structural obstacles that have prevented San Diego from capturing more of California’s production economy.

“The big money still comes from L.A.,” Kats explains. “There isn’t an established dollar here in San Diego where there’s a use for studios.” He says that many productions still travel south only because talent happens to live here. Kats believes California’s comparatively narrow incentive structure isn’t enough to sufficiently attract the big projects — yet. “Even though state money has doubled, the incentive percentages are still small,” he says, contrasting California’s benefits with states like Texas and Georgia, which reimburse a broader scope of production costs.

Kamatoy adds that commercial production—historically a strong source of regional work—is also difficult to capture. “When productions comes in, it’s like an 80/20. Eighty percent is L.A., and only 20 percent is San Diego,” he explained. Advertising agencies based in Chicago, Portland, and New York often award jobs to L.A. production companies by default, leaving San Diego virtually forgotten. 

Despite state policy challenges, Spark leaders believe the solution begins locally.

“We could wait for people to do something, or we could just do it ourselves,” Kats says, proposing a “San Diego Regional Rebate Program” — a coalition of local studios, vendors, and services who collectively return a rebate to productions that choose San Diego. “Come to San Diego, it’s the same price, but we offer a rebate,” he said. “It brings real investment incentive into the project,” he insists. 

Steph Groce, friend of the studio and founder of the local energy drink Bragabillia, underscores the need for unified community engagement. “As San Diego makes this resurgence there are advocates and voices that should have raised their hands by now,” he said. “But have we done enough as a community to garner enough support for them to raise their hands,” he asks.

Groce, who also is launching a nonprofit organization titled Idea Engine Impact Foundation, is working to expand a city-wide pipeline of film-ready talent. The foundation’s mission is “workforce development through the arts,” partnering with Spark Studio and local schools to connect students with training in acting, production, and set trades. “We have the infrastructure here in San Diego to create pathways even at the entry level,” Groce says. 

Spark’s leaders say one of the most immediate needs is simply consolidating San Diego’s fragmented talent network.

“I would say join the database at Spark Studio Soundstage,” Kamatoy emphasized. “We’re trying to build that database out and let everybody know what’s happening.” He adds that Spark has recently begun hosting local community groups such as local meetup group San Diego FilmNet, SAC Conservatory, and the California Film Commission. “We’re becoming sort of the central point of the community.” 

Kats added that the renewed activity is noticeable: “These meetings that had gone dormant for years, now we’re seeing a couple a month at least.” 

Groce identifies Spark’s location and versatility as its competitive advantages.

“Spark Studio is geographically central and slightly adjacent to the airport,” he said. “It’s the only double-walled studio built for film, episodes, and commercials. It’s a sound investment and use case for film production of any size.” 

In addition to its flagship soundstage, Spark offers:

• Studio B, a professional video-podcast and television-style recording space.
• Themed rooms, including a cantina, ballroom, office environments, and more.
• Outdoor and exterior locations, adaptable to everything from hospitals to police stations.
• Editing bays and cinema-grade camera packages.

“A studio is nothing more than four walls and air,” Kamatoy said. “And we have that—plus the one thing San Diego hasn’t had in years: a professionally-built sound stage.” 

Groce encourages filmmakers to stay vocal and engaged. “Keep speaking up and advocating for film production in San Diego. Silence is not action.” 

Kamatoy advises filmmakers to expand their networks strategically. “Pods matter. Surround yourself with people better than you. If you don’t have the database, how do you get to the money to make the film?” he asks. 

Though the San Diego region still has hurdles to overcome, Katz believes the opportunity is within reach.  “LA is number one, but we don’t need to be number one,” he suggests. “We want to be number two. And there currently is no number two,” he points out.

With its infrastructure, central location, growing film database, and emerging partnerships with schools and nonprofits, Spark Studio is helping lead the charge toward that goal—one production, meeting, and collaboration at a time.