Warner Bros Vet Carolyn Blackwood Named Head Of Sphere Studios

Former Warner Bros Motion Picture Group COO Carolyn Blackwood is joining Sphere Entertainment Co. as Head of Sphere Studios.

Sphere Entertainment Co. owns the cutting edge live venue The Sphere in Las Vegas which opened last September. The Company also includes MSG Networks. Sphere Studios will deliver immersive content and develop multi-sensory entertainment experiences exclusively for Sphere.

Blackwood will lead the day-to-day running of the Burbank-based Sphere Studios, which is the hub to a team of creative, production, technology and software experts who provide full in-house creative and production services, including strategy and concept, capture, post-production and show production. Blackwood will also direct Sphere Studios’ production operations in regards to technical and creative plans. She will also work closely with MSG Ventures, the division of Sphere Entertainment responsible for developing the advanced production technologies used to create immersive experiences for Sphere.

“Our team at Sphere Studios is working closely with artists, brands, and technologists to bring the next generation of immersive entertainment experiences to audiences in Las Vegas and beyond,” said Jennifer Koester, President and Chief Operating Officer, Sphere. “We’re pleased to welcome Carolyn to this team of innovators and believe her expertise bringing high-profile entertainment projects to life will be an asset as we continue to build on, and grow, the Studios’ capabilities.”

“Throughout my career, I have focused on creative and business innovation in the entertainment industry, as well as the pursuit of production excellence, and this is a tremendous opportunity to be part of the cutting-edge work at Sphere,” said Ms. Blackwood. “I am excited to join the talented and passionate creative and production technology teams at Sphere Studios as we continue reinventing and reimagining the experiences and content that make Sphere the leader in immersive entertainment.”

During her run at Warner Bros and New Line, Blackwood was integral to over 100 movies including Barbie; The Lord of the Rings; The Hobbit; IT, Chapters 1 & 2; The Conjuring franchise; and many others. In her role as Chief Operating Officer at Warner Bros. Pictures Group, Blackwood oversaw physical production, business affairs, film acquisitions, and live stage events, among other areas. Prior to joining Warner Bros., she served in exec roles for more than 20 years at New Line Cinema. Under her leadership as President and Chief Content Officer, New Line Cinema crossed $1 billion at the global box office for three consecutive years. Before New Line Cinema, Blackwood served as a legal and business affairs executive at MDP Worldwide Entertainment, an independent production and sales company.