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New Friendship Between the Two "B"s

11.4.2007 - Marketing & Media

Author: Martina Trymlova

Two large European film studios – Prague’s Barrandov and Potsdam’s Babelsberg – are negotiating closer cooperation, primarily in relation to films and co-productions. Central Scope Productions is playing the role of intermediary.

The Babelsberg Film Studio, located in Potsdam not too far distant from Berlin, has a tradition that is about as long as that of Barrandov. Currently, the studios are used by various American film crews and many seemingly never-ending German television series are shot there as well. As far as image is concerned, Babelsberg boasts an extensive and abundant environment, including sets, props, costumes, and an array of other services. There are no commercials made here though, which fact, Miriam Ronn, the studio representative, acknowledges is a deficiency. Barrandov Studios is located in the prettier, historical Prague setting and, from the perspective of area and soundstage facilities, is better than the German studio. Commercials are shot here and Americans film crews travel here even more often. Why then did Babelsberg settle with one foot in Prague under the name of Central Scope Productions and why is it negotiating closer cooperation with Barrandov, its current competitor, as confirmed to M&M by the Prague studios spokesperson Tomas Zelazko?

Prague as a Co-Production Center

Although, according to Zelazko, Berlin and Potsdam are still more expensive than Barrandov (according to available data, up to 40% more expensive), attention must be brought to the fact that, in the case of below-the-line-expenses, i.e., expenses connected with a production (crews props, etc.), Czech and German prices are beginning to be comparable. This is only thanks to the fact that German legislation has started supporting the film industry in the same manner as is the case in some other countries, such as Hungary. German crews can thus relocate a part of a film production across the border and still have the right to receive a 20% refund on all the expenses they incur.
On the topic of cooperation between the studios, producer Jasmina Torbati (originally from Stillking Films), who is now working with the newly established Prague branch of Central Scope Productions, the establishment of which was initiated by Babelsberg, says, “The goal is to combine the services offered by both studios in a manner whereby the solution they offer is more effective for both European as well as American producers. We would like Prague to become a co-production center – taking advantage of rebates, supportive projects, and grants across all of Europe. We believe that the Czech Republic will soon join the ranks of locations where the film industry is supported by the state.” What are the benefits for both sides? The relative proximity of Prague and Potsdam, the shared environment of both studios, the ability to take advantage of locations on both sides, and, not lastly, participation in the orders the other partner is working on.