Warner Bros. Studio Tour: An Experience Like No Other

Warner Brothers have been giving us good entertainment since 1932. Through the medium of movies, TV shows, comicbooks, and video games, they've created lasting memories that cultivate learning and imagination. Last 28 October 2016, I was blessed and privileged to take part of a magical and unforgettable WB Studio Tour. If you allow me to, I would like to share with you guys this wonderful experience.

Excited as I was, I arrived an hour early before my scheduled tour. My cousin, who actually works for WB Legal Dept. advised me to take the 1:30 pm tour for "special reasons". Later on, I will tell you why the 1:30 pm schedule is the best!

Walking in, a wall filled with movie posters will welcome you. You get to see posters of iconic movie/TV series production like Batman: The Dark Knight, Bonnie & Clyde, The Big Bang Theory, and a lot more!

There are two waiting areas inside the tour lobby. One with Starbucks and the other, I think, is their employee's canteen. If you guys decide to take the tour and arrive early, you can hang out near the Starbucks area so you can easily hear the ushers call in your schedule. I spent an hour or so in Starbucks just imagining possible scenarios that could happen inside.

Yeah, I actually brought my Batman notebook just in case I bump into Jim Lee, Frank Miller, Or Scott Snyder. And since DC Comics moved to Burbank California, that was one of the scenarios I was playing through my mind.

It was the longest wait of my entire life!!! I was so excited that I could'nt even finish my sandwich for lunch! Then the lady called our schedule and she gave me a color coded pass.

Her name was Molly and she was our tour guide. She brought us inside this small theatre where they showed us snippets of videos from TV series and movies which includes iconic scenes from Batman: The Dark Knight, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and F.R.I.E.N.D.S (and yes, I'm also a BIG fan of F.R.I.E.N.D.S).

Yes, I was actually wearing our TDKPH/Al.F.R.E.D. Initiative shirt during the tour!

So yeah, The Dark Knight Ph already landed inside Warner Brothers!!

Anyway, after the video, we were brought to the tour cart where I got front row seats! Needless to say, my tour companions were shy and I was too eager not to let the opportunity pass me by.

We were brought to production sites where various Movies and TV series were filmed. I was able to get to see the building where Supergirl (CW) landed, the Geller (F.R.I.E.N.D.S.) house, and the Gilmore Girls town.

Before I forget, we were able to see the Crime Alley in Batman (1989) and the town hall in the Batman (1960) movie starring Adam West. These movie sets are usually modified for particular needs of different movies so it might not look familiar to the movies I've mentioned.

Various special effects were discussed and special trivia were shared with us. And no, I'm sorry, I cant share those secrets. You guys have to avail of the tour yourselves to know those tricks and trivia. But I tell you, those information alone, all worth it!

Going through the studio lot, there were a lot of Batman posters and Batman 75th anniversary posters! It felt like home! Somehow, I really believe that this tour is made for Batman fans.

One of the highlights of the tour, at least for me, was the visit to "The Archive" where props and costume designs for Batman v. Superman and Suicide Squad were kept.

Guys, without bragging anything, I think I was in the right place at the right time. Maggie, out tour guide, shared that WB is ready to take out the DC display to make way for the Harry Potter exhibit. This is part of their marketing strategy for the upcoming film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Like I said, The Archive was filled with props and costume designs for the characters in Batman v. Superman and Suicide Squad. The costume designs were replicas of the real thing. Some replicas, like Wonder Woman's costume and the Kryptonite, were sculpted to make an exact representation of the real thing.

I would like to thank God for this beautiful exhibit and my past employer for compensating me really really really handsomely. I wouldn't experienced this (and eventually sharing it with you guys) if it weren't for them.

My God!!! This is what I'm very thankful for!

It might not be the comicbook where Batman first appeared, but I'm very happy to see BATMAN #1 (1940) up close and in person. This is something that I will ALWAYS treasure.

WB allotted a small corner in The Archive for playable video games. If you're not interested with the DC movies, you can play these games while waiting for everyone in the tour to finish up.

Basically we were given 10 minutes to explore the room. I think it was just enough to take pictures of everything and even have some some time to ask questions to the tour guide. Actually I was VERY IMPRESSED with their knowledge with everything WB related. Maggie was able to answer all my questions regarding DC movies and comics. I told her about the FB live video teaser of The Archive where the host "accidentally" slipped that Jason Todd was the dead Robin. I asked if she can confirm with us that slip of the tongue. She said, "i do not have the authority to confirm nor deny".

I also got this amazing Wonder Woman: Rebirth #1 WB Tour variant inside The Archive! Too bad they only gave one.

I took TONS of picture inside the Archive but I cannot disclose everything to you guys. But you can watch this slide show for a quick glimpse of what's inside The Archive.

Next, we were brought to the sound studios. These are the wide buildings where movies, tv series, and talkshows shoot their episodes. We passed by Stage 25 where The Big Bang Theory was stationed. Maggie told us that we coudn't visit inside Stage 25 because they are currently rehearsing their lines and blocking.

Instead, we visited Stage 23 where they are currently producing one of their TV shows, Foster. We weren't allowed to take photos inside to prevent spoiling production secrets. This is the only photo I have of Stage 23.

After going inside Stage 23, we walked towards The Car Vault exhibit where ALL the Batmobiles were kept for the time being. And my God, the tour was really meant for Batman fans (or at least for the time being)!

Again, I cannot fathom how lucky I am. The Batmobiles (1989-present) were temporary exhibits to promote Batman v. Superman. They thought of takingn it down but they had nothing to replace it with (yet). So I was in the US at the right place and at the right time. I also cant share all photos inside The Car Vault exhibit, but here's a slideshow for you to enjoy!

Exiting The Car Vault exhibit, our tour guide told us that the cast of The Big Bang Theory were done rehearsing their episode so we get an EXCLUSIVE tour inside the famous set of The Big Bang Theory. This is what my cousin was telling me about. The earlier schedules doesn't have the same privileges primarily because they work mostly in the mornings. So if you want to visit WB Studios, I suggest you take the 1:30 pm tour so you can experience something like that. However, same as Stage 23, we weren't allowed to take photos inside Stage 25. And yes, this is the second highlight of my WB tour.

Stage 25 is also the studio where most of the scenes for Batman Returns (1992), Batman Forever (1995), and Batman & Robin (1997) where shot! I was able to stand inside the studio where Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, and George Clooney all portrayed the Dark Knight! Hopefully one day, WB casts me as The Batman! LOL!!!

Approaching the tail-end of our tour, Maggie dropped us off at Stage 48 where you can find a Central Perk (F.R.I.E.N.D.S.) themed coffee shop, the gift store, and the Script to Screen tour exhibit.

It was only inside the Script to Screen tour that we were allowed to take a video. Basically the exhibit is a run down of the process to produce a movie or a TV series. I was able to see initial costume designs for Batman (1989) and Christian Bale's batsuit. There were interactive games inside the the exhibit but what caught my attention was the Build Your Own Batmobile. I built a Batmobile with an exterior similar to both the Tumbler and Tim Burton's Batmobile with a laser weapon on top of it.

The cream of the crop, for me, was the experience of riding the Bat-pod. Yes guys, you've heard that right! I was able to ride the Bat-pod! The Bat-pod experience allows you to play Batman during the trailer truck chase! The crew will take three photos of you and will video the whole thing. For $45 (exclusive of city tax) you get to choose 1 photo and a USB copy of the video. If you just want a photo, it costs $22.

If you're a fan of Harry Potter, you can choose to ride the Nimbus 2000 instead. Same prices apply.

After the exhibit, I went to the gift shop to buy these amazing items!

Overall, the WB Studio Tour was amazing! In case they bring back the DC exhibits, I highly recommend everyone to take the tour. Also bring enough dollars! I brought $200 and a debit card. I was glad that I did not use my debit card (because of those extra charges) but $200 isn't enough. There were a lot of things that I would like to buy and experience but my cash on hand wasn't enough.

But hey, at least I finally get to fulfill one of my dreams--to be part of the cast for F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and spend a day in Central Perk!