Archive for February, 2015

Russian film and TV production on the up

During 2014 roughly 750 TV series and TV films were in different stages of production for Russian TV, up 18% compared to 2013, according to Moscow-based KVG Research. The research firm said more than half of these productions were broadcast on Russian TV last year, while the country’s three leading content producers – Channel One, […]

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New Film Friendly Guidelines to Help Industry Thrive

Filming in Victoria is about to be simplified, with legislation taking effect to streamline filming approval processes and increase activity in the state’s $1.3 billion screen industry. The Filming Approval Act 2014 takes effect on Sunday, 1 March, 2015 and requires all Victorian councils and public agencies to adopt standard processes for filming applications and assessing permits […]

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Alberta shooting for a bigger film industry

Alberta’s film industry is more indie-sized than blockbuster, but that might be about to change By Tracy Johnson, CBC News In the first trailer for the television series Fargo, actor Billy Bob Thornton is scraping the ice off his windshield on a bitter winter’s day. Calgary doubled for Minnesota and North Dakota in the first season of Fargo and will play […]

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1,000 film sector jobs at risk as studio talks stall

By Jimmy Woulfe Mid-West Correspondent Up to 1,000 potential film industry jobs in Limerick are on hold over the stalling of talks involving a major studio, it was claimed last night. Fianna Fáil spokesman on justice Niall Collins said Ardmore Studios is anxious to take over an industrial building once used by multi-nationals Wang and […]

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HK$200m to boost local film production

Financial Secretary John Tsang said an additional HK$200 million into the Film Development Fund to boost local film production. It is expected to enhance funding arrangements and introduce a subsidy scheme for film productions with a budget not exceeding HK$10 million, subject to a subsidy ceiling of HK$2 million. Tsang will also raise the production […]

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Revamped film board courts more productions for Cayman

A revamped Film Commission Board believes it’s playing a more active role in its new home under the Department of Tourism. The goal? Bringing more movie, TV, commercial, and documentary production crews to film in the Cayman Islands. The stunning scenery of Cayman has been the backdrop of many film productions over the years. The reinvigorated […]

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Kenya: Blow for Kenyan Film Industry As M-Net Closes Down Maisha Magic

By Elly Gitau M-NET has announced the closure of its entertainment channel, Maisha Magic, after it’s failure to perform and sustain business. According to M-Net Sub-Saharan Africa CEO, Patricia van Rooyen, the decision to close the channel and refocuse on the Maisha Magic Swahili, was taken after a review of the rankings and their popularity. […]

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Michigan’s Film Industry took $500 Million in Subsidies, Produced Laughable Number of Jobs

Robby Soave Economics 101 Even though Michigan’s film incentive program is widely considered to be a monumental failure, there are evidently still some politicians in the state legislature that want to keep cutting checks to Hollywood. House Minority Leader Tim Greimel, a Democrat, is attempting to restore $12 million in funding to the sycophantic subsidy, according […]

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Incentives expected to be reviewed for Alabama’s Film Industry

By Lauren Walsh The governor’s office says 25 movies and ten reality television shows have been shot in Alabama since 2011. Now, tax incentives used to lure filmmakers may be reviewed. Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh tells ABC 33/40 the state spent $15-million in 2014 on incentives for the film industry. Alabama is […]

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New UK film production hub to open in Soho

by Josh Wilson 7DM Studios, a new UK film production facility, is currently setting up in Soho. The studio, the brainchild of filmmakers Nicholas David Lean and James Fisher, will focus on production support and production services, combining low-budget projects (those under £2m) with finance, creative talent and key resources. CEO of 7DM Studios, Nicholas David Lean, said: “There […]

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