Czech Republic
Film Locations. Old world
architecture, industrial estates, castles and palaces, UNESCO towns,
modern architecture, windy roads, snowy mountains, farmland, lakes and
forests.
Prague is the main production centre and all needs to travel from there.
Permits. Czech has a film
friendly and streamlined permitting process. There are no extraordinary
restrictions or rules. Typically in major cities it takes seven working
days for permits that need to close / block streets and remove cars. In
smaller towns it takes three working days.
When to shoot? Czech has
a typical four-season climate - warm summers,
colourful leaves in fall, white winters, and spring in full bloom.
For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Please contact us for more specific weather and sunpath information.
Costs. On average Czech is
about 50% cheaper than the US, 40% cheaper then the UK and 30% cheaper
than Western Europe. Czech is however one of the more expensive former
Eastern Bloc service centres. It is about 20% more expensive than
Romania and 30% more expensive than the Ukraine.
Our partner in Czech is a boutique service company operating without
the high overheads of the larger local competitors and is therefore
able to offer the highest standard of personal service at a more cost
efficient bottom line.
Czech is a member of the EU but has not taken on the EURO yet and still trades in Czech Krouns.
The cost of filming in Czech has increased noticeably in recent years
due to combined pressures of the Kroun appreciating and more
experienced crews charging accordingly.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are always negotiable. On average a one-year worldwide buyout for TV and internet is 13000USD.
Depending on the exchange rate the main costs of talent are as follows:
Lead dayrate: 800USD/12hr day
Better Featured dayrate: 350USD/12hr day
Featured dayrate: 250USD/12hr day
Extra: 120USD/12hr day
Czech has a variety of talent looks available locally. Its close
proximity to other major European production centres allows easy access
to those pools of talent should you ever need to look further.
To view an example of some of the local talent looks please visit the following:
Sonia Tichackova Casting
Jam Casting
Czechoslovak Models
Look Models
Studio 91
Creative talent. Czech has a rather limited pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Its close proximity to other major European production centres allows easy access to those pools of creative talent should you ever need to look further.
Please contact us for recommended directors, DoP's and photographers for your project.
Crews are also non-union. Czech
is known for its exceptional crews who have extensive experience and
speak fluent English. The quality of Czech crews is comparable to that
of crews in Germany.
Fringes. Crew
members are independent contractors. As far as crew fringes are
concerned there is no workers compensation or payroll tax.
Premiums. Czech works on a
twelve-hour shoot day. Crew does not deduct lunch so there is eleven
hours of shooting time. There are no premiums. The only rule in place
is double time for 7th day.
Equipment. Czech is Arri based
and has all the standard cameras, lights and cranes available locally.
The only thing that usually would need to be imported is specialized
gyro heads and special camera cars for car shoots.
Art department and set construction.
One of the main areas that sets Czech apart from the rest of the world
is its world renowned art department. Construction is the best in
central Europe.
Studios. Czech has the largest
studio space in central Europe. The facilities are state of the art and
often play host to large Hollywood feature films. See:
Barandov Studios
Backlots. At present there are no backlots in Czech.
Tax Incentives. At present there are no
tax incentives for feature films or commercials in Czech. Our local
partner gets VAT returned and that is not charged to the client. The
VAT in Czech is 19% on services and 9% on hotels.
Film Stock. Both Fuji and Kodak are available locally.
Post Production. Good standard available locally. Czech does offer very good telecine. See:
UPP
Visas and Work Permits. Czech is a member of the EU. Only certain countries need visas and there is no need for work permits. Contact your local Czech embassy / representative for more information.
Transportation Infrastructure is all up to known and expected world standards. Czech is serviced well from many airports across Europe.
Accommodation. Recommended hotels include:
Hotel Aria
Four seasons
Mandarin Oriental
Hotel Josef
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Communication. Web posted casting, scouting and videoconferencing.
Safety. Czech is a very safe and reliable filming centre.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Czech, please see below:
Our production service companies, line producers and fixers have serviced TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries for:
AXA Belgium, BBC UK, Canon Singapore, Coca Cola Indonesia, Concord Canada, Dove Malaysia, Deutche Bank Germany, Dressman Sweden, Evian France, HBO USA, Heineken Ireland, Hyundai Korea, Intercontinental Hotels Global, ITC India, Kirin Japan, Kraft USA, Landrover UK, LG Korea, Meunil China, McDonalds Australia, MUFG Japan, Nikon Hong Kong, Nokia China, Orange Moblie Slovakia, Philips Netherlands, Proctor & Gamble USA, Chery Riich China, Rimowa Germany, Samsung Korea, Sinoland Hong Kong, Skipper Italy, Smirnoff USA, Sony United Arab Emirates, Stella Russia, Telefonica Spain, Vidal Sassoon China, Virgin Media UK, and much more.
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer in Czech, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
