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Locations

Dominica: A Pirate’s Delight

img_0264While many have experienced the pleasures of the Caribbean, not all are familiar with Dominica. This nature island’s captivating beauty, gorgeous greenery and sparkling beaches has served as the backdrop for adventure films, including the popular Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

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Top Places to Film in 2013

pre_abudhabi_1At the end of each year P3 scouts the regions and production support centers that are the most committed to filming, so we can tally our list of the top ten places to film worldwide. This year’s challenge involved sorting a wide variety of global regions that offer filmmakers a host of amazing perks. Below is our final list of locations that we feel should be considered for film and television projects in 2013.

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Gov. Brown Signs California TV, Film Tax Credit Extension

California Gov. Jerry Brown on Sunday signed legislation extending the state's $100 million tax-credit fund for two more years.

The measure allows California producers a 20 percent or 25 percent credit against income and sales and use taxes and is designed to help stem the production exodus that has plagued the state in recent years.

"The state of California took a big step forward today, thanks to Governor Brown and the legislature,” said Christopher Dodd, chairman and chief executive officer of the Motion Picture Association of America. “The two-year extension of the state’s production tax credit will keep California competitive for tens of thousands of production-related jobs. This is an important victory for California’s economy, our national economy, and the hardworking men and women who comprise the film and television industry.”

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Sohonet Powers Lantana Campus with Swift Connectivity

logo_medianetworkLantana, known for leasing creative office spaces, has joined forces with Sohonet, global connectivity and data management provoders, to create an infrastructure that supports the professional content creation community.

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Cosmopolitan Filmmaking in Abu Dhabi

web_pre_abudhabi_img_6209Film productions traveling to disparate parts of the world are now discovering that Abu Dhabi is a dream destination for storytelling. A unique T-shaped island in the Persian Gulf, Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second-largest city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the largest of the seven-member emirates. While many commercials and documentaries have shot in Abu Dhabi, the city recently welcomed two major Hollywood productions: the action drama The Kingdom (starring Jamie Foxx and directed by Peter Berg) and this summer’s blockbuster The Bourne Legacy (starring Jeremy Renner).

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The Rocky Mountain Region

rockymountainregion_openingshot_wyoming_du-ac-000105There are many reasons why filmmakers are drawn to the Rocky Mountain region, but, by far, the main attraction is its outstanding scenery. Set within a 3,000-mile stretch of towering peaks, the region’s stunning vistas provide a dynamic backdrop suitable for TV and film projects. And 2012 is proving to be a busy year for the states of Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah as they work hard to strengthen their incentive packages. These financial perks are vital for enabling creativity to flourish as productions continue to face economic challenges.

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A Filmmaker’s Guide to Shooting on an Island

islands_hawaii_2Island productions offers great rewards via stunning visuals, private locations, low location fees and supportive local governments. P3 recently sailed around the world to some of the most sought-after island locales to question producers and location managers about what filmmakers need to know before locking down the perfect paradise for a shoot. Today’s hottest production islands include Trinidad and Tobago, U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Fiji and the Dominican Republic, and all these faraway getaways not only offer unparalleled beauty but welcoming film commissions willing to go above and beyond what’s necessary to aid film and TV projects.

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'Avatar' director launches China 3-D venture

img_5529BEIJING (AP) — "Avatar" director James Cameron's company is launching a joint venture in China to market its 3-D technical wizardry to the country's fast-developing film and television industries.

Cameron Pace Group's announcement Wednesday comes as the fast growth of China's film market is attracting Hollywood studios that are rushing to link up with local partners.

The venture with two Chinese partners will supply 3-D filming technology and production services, said Cameron and his business partner, Vince Pace. They said they are discussing possible collaboration with state broadcaster China Central Television on developing 3-D TV.

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Colombian Incentive Looks to Attract Foreign Shoots

A newly created film law sweetens the deal for foreign producers.


BOGOTA -- Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Wednesday is signing into law a new filming incentive that aims to substantially boost the number of runaway productions hosted  here.


Under the law, foreign producers can tap into an annual fund and save up to 40% on production and post-production services, as well as 20% on accommodations, transport costs and catering. To qualify for the cash rebate, foreign shingles must hire local production service...

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Australia: The Land Down Under Comes Out on Top

 

pre_australiaopeningshotAustralia is quickly gaining momentum in the film and television industry as it attracts a hefty amount of local and international projects. Key cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are fueling productions with varied resources, high-caliber crews, world-class infrastructure, pristine locations and an impressive talent pool that includes some of the industry’s best filmmakers. And, with their signature calm energy and positivity, Aussie crews can handle everything from big-budget international features and local TV series to smaller-budget indie projects (for which they offer affordable solutions). Here’s look at how three major Australian states readily accommodate productions both large and small.

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Hunting Hot Tuna in the Wild with Old and New Cameras

Cinematographer Rick Rosenthal has been filming sea wildlife for several decades and has contributed unique underwater footage to many BBC megaseries, such as “The Blue Planet,” “Planet Earth” and “Life.” The DP has also shot three one-hour specials on great whales and recently directed “Nature: Superfish” for PBS and key international broadcasters. The winner of three cinematography Emmy Awards, Rosenthal is a marine biologist by trade and has been diving for 50 years while his pioneering film work in the open ocean has been seen by millions.

Read more: Hunting Hot Tuna in the Wild with Old and New Cameras