Will you shoot in Other County if it will cost you XX% cheaper

[Vigen Vartanov]

Thanks for interest.

There of course is a large enough production company who can provide
all of the services you mentioned (costumes, props, makeup etc).
Actually our company has over 100 years experience of filmmaking. You
can see our info here: check (http://www.imdb.com/company/co0114165/) Of
course payroll, permits and government is very positive on us and
helpful. We have skilled english/russian speaking crews and can
handle almost any size of production. Only during last year we have
been involved in more than 5 films of different scale. If needed we
can provide reference to some US/UK producers/filmmakers who have
visited us during last year, did some work or just plan to do. Also I
want to note that Georgia is 0% tax on filmmaking, meaning that no
taxes are payed on anything if making films. Also government is very
supportive for film industry, because Georgian Cinema has very deep
cultural roots.

Production in Georgia can be very low in price, so biggest production
at this moment we have handled was $2m USD, but consider it as around
$10m if produced in US. Typical film crew we work with is 50-70
people.

Please feel free call if you are interested in more info,

 

[Jens Jakob Thorsen]

Vigen, I think your post sort of answers itself.

Yes, there are certain low-budget or underbid projects that can benefit from shooting in foreign countries, but for the most part the hassles outweigh the savings. I'm sure some people can "found high educate English speaking crew" when they travel, but often the barriers of language, culture and work ethic make for a very difficult shoot.
In the commercial business, it isn't only the expense of travelling the director and producer, but often 20 to 30 clients and agency (who require first class accomodations) as well as piles of product, gear, color-corrects, etc. Nothing like having a crew sit around while 20 cases of next season's fashions wait at customs.
I know those free taxi rides can be tempting, but I think many people will prefer to shoot at home.

This is VERY far from the truth....I dont travel as much as some of my colleages, but I still manage to be abroad, shooting aprox 50-75days pr year
At least half of it is not intended for the country it is shot in.
BTW shooting in Rumania and Los Angeles is pretty much the same:You just tell people what to do...and with any luck they will do it.

 

[Vigen Vartanov]

More Locations

 

[spitfire44]

Good day , I agree with you about culture and work ethic , it will be
different in any country , but trust me you need to try it and you
will found that it is same . For me on set day in Europe is same like on set day in Rep Of Georgia .
Everything is same , just jokes on set , and some things are
different.

I can say that the set day in country A is never the same as in country B.
the main issue I have, and I travel and shoot worldwide, is that country A and country B have different talent pools...some deep, some shallow.

I am writing this post from Istanbul and can tell you that if my gaffer wasn't the guy I got from my last gig, I would have made a stink. It is a gamble unless you know your guys, So please don't make a generalization that the talent of the crew or level of upkeep on gear anywhere is the same as the next. I have had the Matrix lighting department on my shoot in OZ, have had non union in NY, former MiG drivers as my key grip in Azerbaijan, 100 men crews in China and 2 men crews in Holland. In Romania, I have had both the most amazing, professional crews and pathetic, dangerous crews.

I will now admit I have never worked in the Rep. of Georgia, but having had the experience of shooting in most of eastern europe, all of western europe, Africa, NA, SA, Asia and OZ...it's never the same (even if you bring your Keys with you).

sometimes it is, as you say "just jokes on set" other times "it is a joke".....in the end, as a DP (or DoP depending what country you're in)....you have to manage the set and how that transpires separates the successes and failures, however your ability to do this is limited by the resources given.

I hope that I get to come to Georgia for work, I would very much like to say you are spot on.

Ok.....off to bed....06.00 call time tomorrow.

Eric

 

[Fredrik Callinggard]

Can you please share budget of this commercial with me . Want to understand Price Ranges in Lithuania .
Also re-calculate it with Local Georgian Prices.

PM me and we can discuss it. Im also interested in what the prices are and what kind of shooting environment you have.

 

[Vigen Vartanov]

PM me and we can discuss it. Im also interested in what the prices are and what kind of shooting environment you have.

Thanks for help , Check PM

 

[Luke Stewart]

Here are 12 reasons why to film in Georgia, but there are more:

1) Wonderful locations - In only 69000 sq.m there are 11 different climate zones in Georgia. This means that on the same day you can shoot snow scene, seaside, desert, green scenery or any other type of nature you might need.

2) Georgia is an ancient country - Historic locations, churches and castles that dates back to the 1st century is one thing, and ruins of a city from 14th century, now laying underwater, is completely different story.

3) Capital city TBILISI, is a city that was founded in 5th century, it is a unique city, by its landscape, architecture and people. This city is no like any other city in the world, because it is a place where Asia meets Europe, and this fact can be felt in every stone of the old town.

4) Filming in Georgia is very cost saving process – as an example, a typical filming day of TV advertisement could cost very low .

5) You can find highly skilled English/Russian speaking crews in all aspects of film production in Georgia.

6) Even though, currently the biggest film studio is going thru renovation, and highest standard film production equipment, DI, post production and film lab is on its way to be all installed by the mid of 2007, highest quality production equipment is already available in Georgia.

7) Georgia is a heart of Caucasus region, and 2 other countries, Azerbaijan and Armenia is in as close as your hand could reach out, so when filming in Georgia, your filming locations are not limited by only Georgia, you have very easy access to whole Caucasus region, which is even more diverse, there is all you might imagine from oil pumps in Azerbaijan to Armenia’s world famous mountain Ararat.

8) Other than richness by nature, our country is a location which could represent the typical Soviet/post Soviet republic, so if your scene is about Soviet Union and you need to recreate the times of Gorbachov, there is no place better than Georgia to do that.

9) Georgia, as a historically and culturally rich country could be a good source for documentaries.

10) Today, Georgia is becoming as modern as it is ancient.

11) State taxation is very liberal in Georgia, so as a bottom result, this is another reason why your costs are lower in Georgia.

12) Georgian people are very hospital people, thus your stay in Georgia will be one, unforgettable experience.

13) Random Russian invasions! Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[Vigen Vartanov]

13) Random Russian invasions! Sorry, couldn't resist.

Thanks for adding new argument . Yes it was bad time for Georgia ,
and now we are working hard help economic to come back to same lever
that was before Russian Invasion . Tax Free for Film Industry is one
of this steps.

 

[Tim Whitcomb]

Thanks for adding new argument . Yes it was bad time for Georgia ,
and now we are working hard help economic to come back to same lever
that was before Russian Invasion . Tax Free for Film Industry is one
of this steps.

This sounds fantastic, the landscape looks breathtaking and the people, if all are like you, must be warm...

that said... how safe are americans in Georgia? is there still the unrest with muslim extremists in the south? we are not anti-muslim... we just think about safety and lodging. This is something we would like to hear about as well. while no county is perfect (US has lots of senseless killings) and we have even had tourists killed visiting the US ... its all relative. what
are the people like? whats the kidnap risk in what areas? we are isolated by oceans here in the US and, South and Central Americas and Canada...

russian invasion aside, Im sure rebuilding is a bitch, pardon my language.
we feel for you and again... the photos are breathtaking.

any insight into what the experience will be like... money aside. ?
sounds like you have great crews... are they cool and easy to work with?
how long is a typical production day in georgia? How many consecutive days? What is the tranpsortation situation? Are 3 Ton and 5 Ton trucks available? Honeywagons. Trailers for Talent... etc.? It would probably help your cause to have a website promoting your vision... just a thought.

any other insight into films that have shot there and their experience is greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[Vigen Vartanov]

This sounds fantastic, the landscape looks breathtaking and the people, if all are like you, must be warm...

that said... how safe are americans in Georgia? is there still the unrest with muslim extremists in the south? we are not anti-muslim... we just think about safety and lodging. This is something we would like to hear about as well. while no county is perfect (US has lots of senseless killings) and we have even had tourists killed visiting the US ... its all relative. what
are the people like? whats the kidnap risk in what areas? we are isolated by oceans here in the US and, South and Central Americas and Canada...

russian invasion aside, Im sure rebuilding is a bitch, pardon my language.
we feel for you and again... the photos are breathtaking.

any insight into what the experience will be like... money aside. ?
sounds like you have great crews... are they cool and easy to work with?
how long is a typical production day in georgia? How many consecutive days? What is the tranpsortation situation? Are 3 Ton and 5 Ton trucks available? Honeywagons. Trailers for Talent... etc.? It would probably help your cause to have a website promoting your vision... just a thought.

any other insight into films that have shot there and their experience is greatly appreciated, thanks.

Thanks for interest . First of all , Georgia Is Christian Country
From 3 century .

About safety , Georgia is very safety country for any visitors .
About kidnaps , don not thing about it . Police in Georgia is very
strong , and working very hard. You can walk on streets without
problems , do everything you like . Also you can drive card with US , or any other driver id.

About production day . Normally it is 12 Hour .
Transport also is not problem , tracks with Light and grip are full
complete . Camera Transport is also complete, also actor make
up , and directors transport.

 

[Vigen Vartanov]

Just refreshing this threade with more location pictures .