About Us
Minassian Productions, Inc. has served the motion picture industry for nearly 40 years. Cinematographer and founding partner Shahan Minassian set up the company format as a turn-key operation that delivers a full crew all cameras and support gear including vehicles to your location as a self contained reliable second-unit team.
Atwater Stages is also a state-of-the-art facilitiy providing certified sound stages with an led volume, production offices, a projection room, ample power, a make/up and hair station, all fully air-conditioned. Some of our television clients include NCIS, NCIS LA, The Mentalist, Man in the High Castle, Cold Case, Gotham, and The Counterpart.
Our gated and secure facility includes a 28-car parking space. We recently added a mill area and additional parking adjacent to our sound stages.
In addition to the most advanced studio spaces, Minassian Productions Inc. has a competitive edge with support gear providers in Hollywood and can afford their clients the best grip, lighting, and camera packages at competitive rates, while employing the best crews in Hollywood.
Who we are
Shahan Minassian
An industry leader in insert photography for over 40 years, Minassian Productions Inc.'s unique niche blossomed while assigned by Viacom to film main title and opening sequences for countless television series such as "Matlock", "Jake and the Fat Man", "Father Dowling Mysteries", and "Perry Mason" among many others.
Independently, Shahan Minassian, president and CEO, started at Westheimer Company in post-production in 1978. He, in conjunction with title designers, developed and animated iconic main titles for "SHOGUN", "Moonlighting", "Knots Landing", "DYNASTY", "The Love Boat", and "VEGAS" just to name a few. Additional main title work includes "Fairly Legal", "Pretty Little Liars", "JAG”, "The Master", as well as the "Dreamgirls" Trailer.
As second unit and insert director of photography, Shahan has contributed invaluably on hit dramatic television series such as "Sopranos", "Cold Case", "NCIS", "NCIS: LA", "Mentalist" and many more. Through manipulation of light and camera angles, matching production shots seamlessly became more than just a technical procedure; it transformed into an art.
Christopher Minassian
Christopher graduated with a BA in the School of Cinematic Arts at USC. For over 15 years, he has worked through his father's company, Minassian Productions, Inc., where he trained and assisted in the camera, grip and electric departments. He has worked as a camera operator in various student short films, including a USC graduate film “The Empire Lights” and as camera assistant and 2nd unit cinematographer on the independent feature “The Rise and Fall of Armando Venezuela.” He also camera operated an award-winning feature “The Bride from Vegas.” Some of the shows he’s worked 2nd unit on include “NCIS”, “NCIS LA”, “The Mentalist” and “White Collar.” On his down time, he does freelance editing work for various non-profit organizations including the Armenian American Medical Society.
Christopher has been a strong advocate of growing his father’s business, and when it comes to studio rentals for client projects, he ensures that Atwater Stages is properly equipped and managed in order to meet the needs of our clients. He is diligently dedicated to his craft, and his passion for film making shines through his work ethic. A decade of experience in residential property management has served him well, predominantly when it comes to communicating and problem solving.
Troy Minassian
Troy Minassian, a Cinema and Television Arts graduate from California State University, Northridge, is an essential asset within Minassian Productions. As a full-time team member, he manages research and development as well as the technical maintenance and operation of production equipment. Troy's proficiency shines in nurturing client relationships and ensuring seamless project execution.
Additionally, Troy is propelling Minassian Productions to the forefront of visual storytelling by pioneering Virtual Production and LED Volumes. This dynamic expansion underscores our commitment to advancing the realm of cinematography while delivering cutting-edge services to our clients.
