San Diego native and filmmaker Aaron David Roberts is bringing Hollywood closer to home with the launch of the Chula Vista Entertainment Complex (CVEC), an ambitious $85 million project poised to transform the region’s creative landscape. This state-of-the-art facility, located in Chula Vista, will serve as a single-source production hub, offering cutting-edge virtual production studios, post-production facilities, coworking spaces, and next-generation filmmaking technology. Roberts’ vision, backed by his deep ties to the industry, aims to position San Diego as a significant player in the global film and television market.
Approved unanimously by the Chula Vista City Council, the CVEC project will unfold in two phases. The first phase, housed in the city’s Millenia Library, will feature coworking spaces, podcast studios, photography rooms, and Hollywood-caliber post-production facilities, including audio mixing and editing suites. The second phase will introduce an 89,000-square-foot virtual production complex equipped with advanced technology to attract top-tier film and TV productions. Once completed, the complex is projected to generate $544 million in economic impact over the next decade and create jobs that traditionally would have required relocation to Los Angeles.
Roberts chose Chula Vista for its forward-thinking approach and eagerness to attract major projects, having previously pitched for Netflix and Amazon headquarters. “The city has a mindset of attracting industry and spaces,” Roberts explains, adding that the infrastructure and support make Chula Vista an ideal location for his ambitious plans. The CVEC will be independently owned and operated, providing a seamless experience for productions from pre-production to post-production, while also producing original content in-house.
What sets this facility apart is its focus on fostering local talent and building a thriving creative community. Roberts sees the CVEC as more than a production hub; it’s a platform for nurturing the next generation of artists, from filmmakers to digital content creators. “There are so many talented folks in San Diego,” he says. “We want to create opportunities for them to grow, to learn how to monetize their creativity, and to build a sustainable career in the industry.”
With letters of intent already coming in from major studios, Roberts is confident the CVEC will be a success. The facility’s unique combination of virtual production technology, independent operation, and scale will fill a critical gap in the industry, attracting high-profile productions and putting San Diego on the map as a creative hub. As the project progresses, it’s set to not only reshape the local film industry but also inspire the next generation of creatives to dream big, right in their hometown.
