Lainey Wilson’s “Somewhere Over Laredo”: Making Movie Magic at Skyway Studios
Studio C’s Cyclorama: A Dreamy Green-Screen Wonderland
One of Skyway’s key assets – the Studio C CYC wall a 36’ x 27’ 90 degree cove) – played a central role in “Somewhere Over Laredo” to immerse Lainey in surreal dreamscapes, from cotton-candy skies to cowboy-shaped clouds. Filming against this expansive green backdrop allowed the director to later drop in those whimsical visuals while still shooting in a controlled studio environment. To avoid an overly “digital” look, the crew placed real props and scenic pieces in front of the CYC, adding depth and realism to each scene.
A Plane Fuselage on the Backlot: Turning Parking Lot into Set
The production’s creativity went beyond the interior studio. For the video’s opening sequence, the team brought in an actual airplane fuselage to simulate Lainey departing on her adventure. Instead of renting time at an airport or hangar, they brought the fuselage onto Skyway’s property and set it up right on the 700 space parking lot. By shooting the “plane cabin” scene in the lot, the crew had ample space for equipment and could control lighting and sound as needed. Later, the sky backdrop was added through SFX to complete the illusion of flying. The result? An ordinary parking area became the stage for a mid-air dream sequence – truly “a little movie magic” as Lainey herself teased.
Horses on the Horizon: Using Skyway’s Outdoor Spaces
Even the open grounds of Skyway Studios became a filming location for “Somewhere Over Laredo.” In the video, Lainey is seen hitchhiking on a country roadside and riding horseback through wide fields. Rather than traveling to a distant ranch, these scenes were conveniently shot on a grassy stretch of Skyway’s own property. This meant the crew could seamlessly switch between indoor stage shots and outdoor scenes without ever leaving the premises. Not only did this save time and budget, it also showcased how Skyway’s facility can double as an outdoor set when needed. From a dirt “country road” along a fence line to a pasture under open skies, the property provided a flexible canvas for Wilson’s modern fairy-tale storyline, all in one location.
All Under One Roof: Turning Vision into Reality
“Somewhere Over Laredo” demonstrates how a single production campus can transform into whatever a story calls for. Skyway Studios gave Lainey Wilson’s team a one-stop location to film every element of the project – leveraging Studio C’s CYC wall, the expansive backlot, on-site fields, and all the behind-the-scenes amenities a production could ask for. Skyway’s full infrastructure was at their disposal, from private dressing rooms and makeup suites to green rooms and a catering kitchen, so the cast and crew never had to leave the site. The result is a music video (and a companion performance video) that feel epic and cinematic, yet were efficiently produced without a company move outside the studio lot. It’s no surprise that Wilson chose to film here – she’s collaborated with Skyway before, including her 2024 “Hang Tight Honey” video and even the 2024 CMA Awards promos with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning. By tapping into Skyway’s full spectrum of resources, Lainey and her creative team were able to dream big and achieve those visuals on a practical budget and timeline. In the end, “Somewhere Over Laredo” is not just a win for Lainey Wilson’s artistic vision – it’s also a showcase of how Skyway Studios can bring a high-concept music video to life, all under one roof (and sky).
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