PROINTERVIEW
“We are in talks for expansion plans to build customised studios for companies. There is enough room to build up to 14 sound stages of 50,000 sqft. capacity”
Jamal Al Sharif, MD, Dubai Studio City
– providing logistics, and incentives in addition to organising networking events every quarter to address their issues. Studios are available for them to shoot on special rates. Local filmmakers primarily want to show Dubai and we are willing to extend whatever help we can in that direction. In terms of encouraging local talent we have made a beginning, albeit small. We try to bring out the best of the local talent, for instance, all of my corporate videos are done by emerging Emirati filmmakers. How has Dubai Studio City fared so far? Going by the current figures, I think we have managed to achieve a fair degree of success. Having said that, we are not resting on our laurels just yet as we believe there is a huge potential waiting to be tapped. Producers have gained major savings on their estimated budgets through our incentive schemes and waivers.
ABOVE: MBC’s virtual studio at the official launch. BELOW: Jamal Al Sharif.
There was menti on of a directory launch – what will that cover? Can we also expect to see changes to the DFTC web site? We have hired a very competent local company to compile a directory for us. This will be ready in time for the tenth anniversary of Dubai International Film Festival, which is hosted at the end of the year. The listing will include production companies, rental houses, logistical support companies, OB vans, cabling companies, studio owners, even caterers and tailors, and all kinds of ancillary services related to production. It will be
a useful resource for those who want to use our facilities to film in Dubai. Companies are welcome to advertise as this directory will get worldwide exposure through an established network of Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). With twenty offices around the world, DTCM will distribute the directory to ensure it gets visibility in relevant quarters. We are also in talks with the Ministry of Interior to contact all UAE embassies and consulates around the world and distribute copies of the directory to them as well. The print version of the directory will be in English but our online version will be in both Arabic and English. We also have plans to expand the listing in other languages. The online version of the directory will have English and Arabic to start with and then include other languages in time. Our web site now has a Mandarin option as well. Chinese filmmakers are showing keen interest in Dubai and we have successfully hosted some very prestigious Chinese projects here, plus there are more in the pipeline. What are the major roadblocks that the film fraternity in the region faces today and what steps are you taking to counter them? We feel the lack of local crew is a drawback for us. We have the latest technology and world class facilities to film but we need to build our human resources. We need more local crew to support shooting here so that we have to import less. PRO
28 | www.broadcastprome.com | August 2013