A secure operational environment, remarkably attractive locales, incomparable logistical advantages and an expanding local talent base have made Dubai and the UAE the most preferred destination for pre- and post production activities of global television and film companies.
Probably, the most telling factor above all these is the presence of Dubai Studio City, a film and broadcast industry-dedicated free zone cluster and a member of TECOM Investments. The cluster is an all-encompassing destination that offers enabling facilities for design, visual effects and music composition in addition to pre-built studios, sound stages, training academies and a business centre.
DSC'S single-window Location Approval Services (LAS) department expedites and facilitates the approval process for all film shoots and photography activities in Dubai and the UAE. Providing a full bouquet of enabling services including location scouting, visa, travel, accommodation arrangements and access to talent, the LAS department achieved a 33 percent growth from 2007 to 2008.
Tim Smythe, CEO, Filmworks, says: "For over 10 years, Filmworks has serviced numerous feature films from the US, Middle East and India, including the Warner Bros. film Syriana and Universal Pictures' The Kingdom. We have recently completed principal photography for City of Life, which is the first multi-lingual feature film to be written and directed by Emirati Ali F. Mostafa and produced with UAE funding, intended for both local and international release. City of Life allows us to showcase Emirati talent internationally and create and sustain our own home grown film industry."
Not surprisingly, the current global economic crisis has provided more opportunities for film and broadcast production companies in the region to turn around the slump in market moods with enhanced creative solutions.
Georgina Hockley, General Manager, Bareface Production, points out: "Creativity and innovation are keys to the success of any business, especially in the creative industry during the current difficult phase that has made conditions tough for businesses all over the world.
"Moreover, economic difficulty not only demands businesses to be innovative, but also resilient and resourceful. Bare Face is one of the very first stills production companies to operate in Dubai and this gives us a number of advantages. Our solid supplier and partner network allows us room to be creative with our offerings to our clients. In addition, we also think of these 'down times' as times to introspect, and devise internal development plans to ensure that we will come back stronger in serving our clients once economic conditions get better."
Underlining the fact that Dubai is by far the best equipped location with the latest technologies, talent and expertise that may somewhat still be lacking in other parts of the region, Georgina Hockley adds: "This in turn means that it remains more cost-effective than other places and also the most convenient in terms of saving clients' time, effort and resources."
Dubai's efforts are already beginning to pay off. Interestingly, an increasing number of projects come from well-developed film and entertainment markets such as Egypt, India, the US and the UK. Filmmakers from other regions' emerging industries have also shown their preference for Dubai as a location for pre- as well as post-production activities.
Ian Ross, Producer, Central Films, says: "Most of our clients make us compete against Beirut in Lebanon or Cape Town in South Africa for shooting TV commercials. While Beirut has the advantage of lower production costs and Cape Town offers more varied locations, we still win clients with our whitest-sand beaches, great sand dunes and desert, stunning mountain roads and strikingly modern skyline and city landscape. Clients especially like the very safe environment as well as the much shorter flights from Europe and the Far East."
"In terms of talent, industry knowledge and world-class facilities, we are confident the Dubai Studio CityDubai
community is well positioned to adapt to the new economic landscape that works to the overall benefit of the media in the region. We expect five-to-10 per cent growth in 2009, despite the adverse impacts of the global financial crisis as we believe the entertainment business goes on during the good and the bad times."
Currently, companies from Europe, the US and the Far East including countries such as India, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan are the most interested in choosing Dubai as a location for their productions.
