Billion Dollar Location: Czech Republic Barrandov Studio P R E S E N T S Prague
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BILLION DOLLAR LOCATION: CZECH REPUBLIC BARRANDOV STUDIO P R E S E N T S PRAGUE 20% CASH REBATE UNIQUE ON QUALIFYING CZECH SPEND 10% ADDDITIONAL CASH REBATE FILM ON QUALIFYING INTERNATIONAL SPEND ADMINISTRATED BY THE STATE FRIENDLY CINEMATOGRAPHY FUND REBATE FUND IS OPEN ENDED LOCATION BARRANDOV.COM BILLION DOLLAR LOCATION CZECH REPUBLIC WITH A STEADY stream of ambitious small-screen productions rolling in, and two major recent features recently wrapped and more on the way — all chas- ing incentives, talented artisans, and experienced Prague Provides Fresh Lures crews — Prague and the Thanks to generous incentives, the capital — and the entire country — are drawing Czech Republic have upped new foreign film and TV projects all the way through post Story by WILL TIZARD the ante in the competitive arena of Central Europe. REVIEWS ARTISANS Although most coun- tries of the former East- FOCUS ern Bloc are vying for busi- ness, the Czechs are out to prove they are serious and reliable partners on inter- national shoots — a point stressed by the first-ever visit to Hollywood by the country’s prime minister last April. On his trip, Bohuslav Sobotka trumpeted tweaks that have made the Czech Republic’s 20% cash-back production incentives as user-friendly as anyone’s. The program has under- gone continuous stream- lining since its launch in 2010, and applications to TOP BILLING EXPOSURE CONTEDNERS TOP the Czech Cinematogra- phy Fund are now accepted year-round. Recent projects rang- ing from war drama “Moun- tains and Stones,” to Jessica Chastain-starrer “The Zoo- keeper’s Wife,” and “Under- world 5” have underscored the core value that U.S. and Western European produc- ers have known about for years: a phenomenal rep- utation for production design, modern infrastruc- ture, and remarkably capa- ble, affordable crews. The creative tradition, for its part, dates back to the days of Art Nouveau championed by Bohemian artist Alfons Mucha, and VARIETY.COM Czech crafts folk can eas- ily transform a Barrandov Studios soundstage into a post-apocalyptic fantasy. → JUNE 21, 2016 PRAGUE CITY TOURISM PRAGUE 75 BILLION DOLLAR LOCATION CZECH REPUBLIC Period Glory “Interlude in Prague,” shot in the capital and smaller towns, BRINGING IT HOME tells the story of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” Film Commissioner Ludmila Claussova is on the front line for luring production ← They’re equally adept at By Peter Caranicas time travel, creating World War II settings almost over- How does the updated here increased maybe night from Czech forest incentive differ from the five times compared to locales and disused facto- earlier program? 2009. The spend of inter- ries. Baroque period pieces The amendment to the national film and TV pro- remain a natural fit for audiovisual law was ductions that took advan- Prague and environs as pro- approved in May 2016 and tage of the rebate in 2015 ducers regularly find that will come into effect Jan. was around $168 million. entire authentic palaces 1, 2017. The most import- Since the rebate was intro- can be had for less than the ant changes make the sys- duced in 2010, the Czech time and money needed to tem smoother and more government has paid out build an equivalent set. flexible. In contrast to the more than $80 million The crown jewels — previous system, alloca- in rebates to more than Prague’s Colloredo-Mansfeld tions of rebates will be 150 film and TV projects. Palace, the Charles Bridge, possible at any time of Rebates of $46 million are and the Nostic Theater — the year but not sooner currently allocated to new were dressed in 1787 finery than three months before projects. for the recent U.K.-Czech the start of filming in the production “Interlude in the appointment of Czech Czech Republic and not How many producers are Prague” — which also made media maven Andrej later than the first day of American, and how many use of the towns of Cesky Babis as of finance minis- shooting. are from other countries? Krumlov, Libochovice, Plo- ter in 2014 — but local pro- Rebate Helps In 2015 over 30 interna- skovice, Jemniste, and Dok- duction companies point Business Boom How will applications for tional film and TV proj- sany — to convey the story out that business-friendly payments be handled? ects shot in the Czech of Mozart’s work on his Babis is the most commit- at Czech Anglo Two applications will be Republic. The U.S. was operatic masterpiece “Don ted national policy leader Productions possible: the first after involved in five of those Giovanni,” which he com- in memory when it comes “The past three years have filming is concluded in either as major (and only) been the best we have had posed in Prague. to attracting foreign pro- for a long time,” says Kevan the Czech Republic; the producer or as co-pro- Authenticity and afford- duction dollars – and that Van Thompson, head of second, after all produc- ducer. The majority of Czech Anglo Productions. ability are certainly selling he understands the value of He ascribes the boom tion and post-production films and TV projects points that Czech regional film incentives. to one main development: is completed in the Czech shot in the Czech Repub- film offices make as they Babis has told industry “Prior to the rebate, work Republic. lic were European. This was in very short supply.” compete for the title of types that he is working on “Unlocked,” a thriller year, we have two big TV most film-friendly prov- increasing the 20% Czech contemplating the risk of Can you quantify the effec- productions from the U.S. ince, a kudo given out by cash-back incentive . biological terror, subbed tiveness of the incentive? that will be shooting for Prague for London, and art the Czech Film Commission Prague post houses, directors made the swap It has clearly brought back several months (History this year to Karlovy Vary. meanwhile, have won over all but undetectable. “With international production channel series “Knight- some good dressing and a Karlovy Vary mayor Petr legions of foreign producers few days in London we were to the Czech Republic. It fall” and Fox 21’s “Genius” Kulhanek is keenly inter- with advanced facilities and able to produce London at was introduced in 2010 for National Geographic ested in attracting new impressive effects. Industry a much reduced price,” says when the volume was Channel), and ABC Studio Van Thompson. work. “We surely strive for leader UPP, usually work- Czech Anglo also very low due to incentives shot a pilot with us earlier more and strongly welcome ing with Soundsquare, and passed off the multi-faceted in other countries and the this year, “Spark.” state incentives,” he says. veteran Prague company IO Prague as New York, and hesitation of the Czech director Michael Apted was The three-year-old Post are booked year-round, “happily surprised at how government, which waited What do you like most Regional Film Office there putting polish on produc- easy it was to work here.” too long to introduce an about this job? The project, “Unlocked,” is actively improving access tions that see no reason featuring Michael Douglas, incentive here. With the It’s been a rewarding 12 and resources, both finan- to send their dailies back Noomi Rapace, Orlando new scheme we became years. I love promoting cial and in kind, adds Petr home after shooting. Bloom, and John Malkovich, competitive again and the what I believe in and com- is just one recent score, Zidlicky of the Karlovy Vary The latter shingle, along with Niki Caro’s “The volume of what interna- municating with passion- Department of Culture. founded in 2005 when it Zookeeper’s Wife,” a World tional production spends ate, creative people. Things were not always worked with Czech New War II story of survival in Warsaw shot in Prague with this way, says Czech Film Wave director Jan Nemec Jessica Chastain. Commission topper Lud- on “Toyen,” has gone on As a warm-up act, Czech Anglo handled Passion mila Claussova, who has to burnish the look of three seasons of the BBC’s Projects embarked on an ambitious 45 features, usually as a irreverent actioner “The Czech Film road show to enlist the help co-producer. Musketeers,” which required Commissioner 30 weeks of shoots for Ludmila of other authorities and Others winning mar- three years. Series producer Claussova VARIETY.COM created a prize for the most ket share in Prague are Colin Wratten says Prague’s oversees the incentive film-friendly region. Bystrouska, Virtual Post and versatility was key: “They had everything we needed program. In the Czech capital, Barrandov Sound Music — castles, cobbled streets, meanwhile, even politi- Studio. This area is another basements with vaulted ceilings, churches, monas- cal controversy has been Czech forte, as shown by teries and ruins.” JUNE 21, 2016 turned to advantage. Prague the regular film soundtrack — Will Tizard political watchdogs have bookings by all the major 76 expressed skepticism over Czech orchestras. 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