Former Netflix executive Kevin Bar joins Hill Country Studios as chief operations officer

Hill Country Studios announced Nov. 1 it has recruited former Netflix executive Kevin Bar as its new chief operations officer. Bar has more than 15 years of experience in the film and television industry, including overseeing development and operations for Netflix at studios throughout North America.

Bar also previously served as the vice president of Pinewood International, a UK-based studio that has brought to life films such as “No Time to Die” and “The Gentlemen.”

As COO of Hill Country, Bar will be tasked with developing overall operations for the studio, local labor force development, business initiatives and more.

“Hill Country Studios has a unique opportunity to reimagine the film and television industry’s relationship to Texas,” Bar said in a statement. “This team is equipped with a distinctive vision, a phenomenal site and a world-class studio development plan that will position Texas to attract top-tier productions and create significant job growth and economic benefits for San Marcos, Austin and beyond.”

Other recent developments from the new studio include a partnership with VISION, a Houston-based virtual production company, to design, install and maintain LED-wall stage technology on two stages known as LED Volume. LED Volume will replace traditional green screens and has been used in other films, such as “The Batman” and “The Mandalorian.”

The $267 million film and television studio production entered into a Chapter 380 agreement with the city of San Marcos in June that was met with contention as the project will be built over the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer.

However, after discussion over the reconsideration of the incentive agreement that will have the city allocating tax repeat payments, as previously reported by Community Impact, the council took no action, and the agreement was upheld.

Hill Country Studios will have a total of 12 stages within the 75-acre tract of land at 6202 W. Center Point Road, San Marcos, and is expected to break ground in early 2023.