The Malta Film Commission has been in existence for just eight years. What, in your opinion are its biggest achievements to date?
I think that the Film Commission has managed to structure, develop and formalise the film-servicing sector on the island, and has also become the focal point of assistance, information and communication for foreign production companies interested in shooting here, in a relatively short space of time. Probably the most noteworthy achievements so far have been the introduction of financial incentives for Malta, putting us on a level playing field with other locations, as well as the establishment of a proper level of contacts within the international industry.
In that time, what are the films that got away and decided not to film here and why? Films shooting on location anywhere always consider several options, and only decide on a particular location when it happens to work creatively, financially and logistically. The film commission constantly receives enquiries from all over the world, and sometimes productions scout the island more than once before filming elsewhere. The financial structure of a particular production also often dictates where a film is shot. A recent production to have got away is Brothers Bloom; in between scouting and prep in Malta it was dropped by its US distributor, had to be financed independently, and therefore decided to shoot in Eastern Europe on a reduced budget.
It is generally agreed that Malta is no longer a cheap place to make movies. So why should production companies come here to shoot rather than go to, say, Morocco, Turkey or Eastern Europe? Several factors: First of all the island has the ability to double for practically anywhere in the Mediterranean (though we lose out to Morocco when desert landscape is required). This alone saves money; for example Malta doubled for seven Mediterranean countries on Munich (2005), and also travel time between locations is minimal. The island's politically and socially stable environment is important and often gives us an edge. The fact that English is spoken here is a big asset. Malta offers financial incentives to productions shooting on the island, and these often prove to be the decisive element in beating competing locations. And finally, countries, which at a first glance look attractive, sometimes present hidden costs to productions, making them, appear cheaper on paper than they actually end up being.
We have obviously got many advantages as a movie centre... namely: good weather which means less disruption to shooting schedules, the tanks, experienced technicians and support staff, all sorts of extras and some good experienced actors, period locations etc... What is being done to sell these and other advantages to potential customers? The Film Commission markets the island as a film location through the publication of a biennial production guide, through its website, and through attending and participating in the major festivals and markets such as Cannes, Berlin and the American Film Market. Other ongoing marketing initiatives vary from appearing in the international trade publications to sponsoring film finance seminars. However given the nature of the international film industry, which is relatively small and very close-knit, it is the constant establishment of an extensive network of contacts that is the most effective means of getting the message across. Word of mouth counts for more than anything in this industry.
Let's learn a little about you. Where were you born, grow up and get your education? Born and bred in Malta, educated here and in the UK.
Tell us a little about your experience in the film industry. Prior to the set-up of the Film Commission, I worked on a production shooting here (U-571), and was fortunate enough to be working with very experienced people, so the learning curve was steep. I was involved with the commission from its initial stages, and therefore have had exposure to all facets of filmmaking - not just the physical production aspects that involve productions shooting on the island, but also the business of filmmaking; the development and financing of productions that constitutes the major part of filmmaking, which unfortunately is not yet practiced in Malta.
You are the third film commissioner in a very short time. Do you see the job as a career or is it a stepping-stone to something else? I am presently focusing on the job at hand and the challenges that come with it, and look forward to the experience. I am not looking beyond doing the best job I can in the post.
On a day-to-day basis, what does the job of the Malta Film Commissioner entail? Dealing with enquiries from production companies interested in shooting in Malta; dealing with productions scouting or prepping in Malta. Assisting and facilitating the work of those filming here; assessing and analysing applications and submissions for the financial incentives; chasing potential projects that could be shot here; liaising with local industry professionals and service providers; developing further marketing and business opportunities overseas; working to attract investment in the local infrastructure; targeting underdeveloped aspects of the local sector and assisting with government development of audiovisual policy.
What is the current situation at the Mediterranean Film Studios? Is it still privately owned? Yes, and the privately owned studios are seeing a busy year, with productions from Germany, France and the UK filming there.
Twenty years ago, for various reasons, our reputation as a place to make movies was at a very low ebb. These days we seem to be doing much better. How has this been brought about? There is a more professional and formalised approach to film servicing now, with young talented people learning from experienced international crewmembers and climbing up the hierarchy. The financial incentives system has also helped by enforcing more transparency in transactions. Red tape and bureaucracy is kept to a minimum, many public entities have film-friendly measures in places. Permits are easy to obtain, and there is a general willingness, across all segments of our system, to make movie-making work on the island. This all translates positively and results in favourable word of mouth.
It seems there are quite a few shoots lined up in the near future. How much revenue do you anticipate these will engender and how many local people will be involved? There are features and TV productions scheduled to shoot this year and the next. It's very hard to know what they will be spending at this stage, and the number of local crew employed varies according to the size and demands of the productions. An average sized production employs around 50 local crew, but that does not take into account the ancillary service providers or extras. Also, we only take into account the actual dollar spend of the productions in Malta, whereas the local value added to our economy would be much higher.
How do you see the Malta film industry five years down the road? Hopefully in five years we will see continued growth and success, a constant flow of work coming to Malta, and in particular the further development and growth of an indigenous film industry. I'd hope that the film-servicing sector would continue to develop, especially in terms of crews and technicians, and also see increased infrastructure investment, and to have the opportunity and means to develop and produce good quality local feature films.
In that time, what are the films that got away and decided not to film here and why? Films shooting on location anywhere always consider several options, and only decide on a particular location when it happens to work creatively, financially and logistically. The film commission constantly receives enquiries from all over the world, and sometimes productions scout the island more than once before filming elsewhere. The financial structure of a particular production also often dictates where a film is shot. A recent production to have got away is Brothers Bloom; in between scouting and prep in Malta it was dropped by its US distributor, had to be financed independently, and therefore decided to shoot in Eastern Europe on a reduced budget.
It is generally agreed that Malta is no longer a cheap place to make movies. So why should production companies come here to shoot rather than go to, say, Morocco, Turkey or Eastern Europe? Several factors: First of all the island has the ability to double for practically anywhere in the Mediterranean (though we lose out to Morocco when desert landscape is required). This alone saves money; for example Malta doubled for seven Mediterranean countries on Munich (2005), and also travel time between locations is minimal. The island's politically and socially stable environment is important and often gives us an edge. The fact that English is spoken here is a big asset. Malta offers financial incentives to productions shooting on the island, and these often prove to be the decisive element in beating competing locations. And finally, countries, which at a first glance look attractive, sometimes present hidden costs to productions, making them, appear cheaper on paper than they actually end up being.
We have obviously got many advantages as a movie centre... namely: good weather which means less disruption to shooting schedules, the tanks, experienced technicians and support staff, all sorts of extras and some good experienced actors, period locations etc... What is being done to sell these and other advantages to potential customers? The Film Commission markets the island as a film location through the publication of a biennial production guide, through its website, and through attending and participating in the major festivals and markets such as Cannes, Berlin and the American Film Market. Other ongoing marketing initiatives vary from appearing in the international trade publications to sponsoring film finance seminars. However given the nature of the international film industry, which is relatively small and very close-knit, it is the constant establishment of an extensive network of contacts that is the most effective means of getting the message across. Word of mouth counts for more than anything in this industry.
Let's learn a little about you. Where were you born, grow up and get your education? Born and bred in Malta, educated here and in the UK.
Tell us a little about your experience in the film industry. Prior to the set-up of the Film Commission, I worked on a production shooting here (U-571), and was fortunate enough to be working with very experienced people, so the learning curve was steep. I was involved with the commission from its initial stages, and therefore have had exposure to all facets of filmmaking - not just the physical production aspects that involve productions shooting on the island, but also the business of filmmaking; the development and financing of productions that constitutes the major part of filmmaking, which unfortunately is not yet practiced in Malta.
You are the third film commissioner in a very short time. Do you see the job as a career or is it a stepping-stone to something else? I am presently focusing on the job at hand and the challenges that come with it, and look forward to the experience. I am not looking beyond doing the best job I can in the post.
On a day-to-day basis, what does the job of the Malta Film Commissioner entail? Dealing with enquiries from production companies interested in shooting in Malta; dealing with productions scouting or prepping in Malta. Assisting and facilitating the work of those filming here; assessing and analysing applications and submissions for the financial incentives; chasing potential projects that could be shot here; liaising with local industry professionals and service providers; developing further marketing and business opportunities overseas; working to attract investment in the local infrastructure; targeting underdeveloped aspects of the local sector and assisting with government development of audiovisual policy.
What is the current situation at the Mediterranean Film Studios? Is it still privately owned? Yes, and the privately owned studios are seeing a busy year, with productions from Germany, France and the UK filming there.
Twenty years ago, for various reasons, our reputation as a place to make movies was at a very low ebb. These days we seem to be doing much better. How has this been brought about? There is a more professional and formalised approach to film servicing now, with young talented people learning from experienced international crewmembers and climbing up the hierarchy. The financial incentives system has also helped by enforcing more transparency in transactions. Red tape and bureaucracy is kept to a minimum, many public entities have film-friendly measures in places. Permits are easy to obtain, and there is a general willingness, across all segments of our system, to make movie-making work on the island. This all translates positively and results in favourable word of mouth.
It seems there are quite a few shoots lined up in the near future. How much revenue do you anticipate these will engender and how many local people will be involved? There are features and TV productions scheduled to shoot this year and the next. It's very hard to know what they will be spending at this stage, and the number of local crew employed varies according to the size and demands of the productions. An average sized production employs around 50 local crew, but that does not take into account the ancillary service providers or extras. Also, we only take into account the actual dollar spend of the productions in Malta, whereas the local value added to our economy would be much higher.
How do you see the Malta film industry five years down the road? Hopefully in five years we will see continued growth and success, a constant flow of work coming to Malta, and in particular the further development and growth of an indigenous film industry. I'd hope that the film-servicing sector would continue to develop, especially in terms of crews and technicians, and also see increased infrastructure investment, and to have the opportunity and means to develop and produce good quality local feature films.