Moldova
Film Locations. Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, located between Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east and south. Moldova offers castles and palaces, classic interiors, old European villages, Byzantine monasteries, forests and rivers and a wealth of agricultural crops. Moldova is also known for its world renowned vineyards.
Permits. No extraordinary restrictions or rules apply. Permitting in
Moldova is a very straightforward process requiring only 48 hours for
most locations. Shutting streets in Chisinau can take up to one week.
When to shoot? Moldova's climate is moderately continental: the summers are warm and long and the winters are relatively mild and dry. The heaviest rainfall occurs in early summer and again in October; heavy showers and thunderstorms are common.
For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Please contact us for more specific weather and sun path information.
Costs. Location and talent costs are inexpensive but since little to no filming infrastructure exists all crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Overall though Moldova is one of the least expensive European countries to shoot in.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable. Day rates are
very reasonable and negotiated on a personal basis. Talent costs are on average 30% less than Czech or Hungary.
The main costs of talent are as follows:
Local Talent (actor) per day: 200-800 EUROS
Local Crowd per day: 22-25 EUROS
Super Model per day: 1,000-2,000 EUROS
A Class Model per day: 500-800 EUROS
B Class Model per day: 300-500 EUROS
Locals look Romanian. The local gypsy community doubles well for Middle Eastern looking people, but there are rather limited options for blonde Caucasian, Indian, African and Asian looks. Moldova is not quite established yet with talent agencies so local street casting is often required. Since we would likely run the production out of Romania we would start by casting in Romania. Moldova's close
proximity to other major European production centres allows easy access
to those pools of talent should you ever need to look further.
Please see an example of talent looks
from the following Romanian talent agencies:
MRA Models
Elan Models
Yes Models
CV Casting
Creative talent. Moldova has no pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Its close proximity to 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. Lack of local crew depth and experience means we would use mostly Romanian crews. Romanian crews are good, hard working, flexible with
overtime and turn around times. Heads of department all speak fluent
English. Crew costs are on average 25% less than Czech or Hungary.
Fringes. As per Romania, no hidden extras. Crew pays fringes separately through their own companies.
Premiums. No 6th or 7th day, weekend, night or holiday premiums with crew or talent. Romania works on a twelve-hour shoot day including one hour break for lunch. We package deals for local crew / talent.
Equipment. Lack of locally available equipment in Moldova means we would bring most equipment from Romania. All the standard equipment is available locally in Romania
and anything additional can be easily brought in from major European production centres. Romania offers both Panavision and Arri equipment. Panalight Italy has established an office in Romania and stock most of what you typically need including a new techno-crane. For car commercials specialised lights are brought in from Germany. Wescam for helicopter can be brought in from the UK. Helium Balloon lights from Austria. Motion control from Budapest.
Art department and set construction options are basic. Again we would rely mostly on our experienced Romanian crews.
Studios do exist but facilities are very basic.
Backlots. At present no backlots exist in Moldova.
Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for feature films or
commercials in Moldova.
Film Stock. No stock available locally. Both Fuji and Kodak are brought in from Romania.
Post Production. No facilities available locally. Processing, telecine, editing, etc available in nearby Romania. See the following for Romanian facilities:
Kodak Cinelabs
Chainsaw Europe
Abi Studio
Visas and Work Permits. Moldova is not yet a member of the EU. Only certain countries need visas and there is
no need for work permits. Contact your local Moldovan embassy / representative for more information.
Transportation Infrastructure is all up to known and expected world
standards. Moldova is serviced by some airlines internationally but again since we would run the project through Romania, that is where most of the team would fly into.
Accommodation. Recommended hotels in Chisinau include:
Hotel VisPas
Budapest Hotel
Flowers Hotel
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Communication. Web posted casting, scouting and videoconferencing.
Safety. Moldova is a safe and reliable shooting destination.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Moldova, 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 Moldova, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
