TELENOVELA BLOCK.pages 24 - 30: - Discop

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THE FILM GUIDEBOOK OF VOJVODINA
By Dimitrije Vidanovic
Although after October 5, 2000, film industry funds
were revitalized in Serbia, there is not enough money
for making even one serious film. To improve this obviously
bad situation in film industry, several film and TV professionals
have launch ed the project “The Film Guidebook of
Vojvodina”.
Namely, like in Hungary and Romania, that make large
revenues from foreign productions that use their locations
and capabilities for film making, during the last few years an
idea has been maintained that those things should happen
to us, too. Hungary has achieved €44,000,000 income
from foreign productions, and in Romania, the film THE
COLD MOUNTAIN was made last year by Anthony Miguel,
featuring Nicole Kidman. The film budget was 98 million
dollars, out of which 28 million were spent in Romania, and
$600,000 in the village where the cast was settled. Five
years ago, Romanian government decided to make efforts
in attracting foreign film producers.
The Romanian have tripled their film production. They
have the most up-to-date film studios and laboratories.
They have reached Hollywood superstructure in their film
industry. Author of the project is Sasa Karisik, independent
Producer/Director. Thanks to his personal efforts, the
Executive Council of Vojvodina joined the project, and some
local governments and sponsors also supported it.
“The comparative advantage of Vojvodina is that a relatively
small area includes a plain, hills, rivers, pretty and well
preserved environmental entities, and a great number of
experienced and educated professionals,” Karisik says.
Until the 1990s, films were relatively often recorded in
Vojvodina. Anthony Queen and Michel Piccoli have made
films in Novi Sad. In the 1950s-1970s, TOY SOLDIERS,
THE CASTLE GUARDS, and THE VIOLENCE ON THE
SQUARE were also filmed here. The complete plot of the
latter film takes place in the suburb of the Petrovaradin
Fortress and at the Liberty Square in Novi Sad. Also,
Sophia Loren has made a film in the town of Pancevo. The
first Hungarian colour film was made on the Palic Railway
Station. So, tradition exists, and should be continued.
For determining film locations, the team engaged in
the project has included all important areas in Vojvodina. A
lot of aerial filming has already been done, as you can see
on the website: www.filminginvojvodina.org - Deliblato
sands, the Titel Hill, Precursor for Ships projected by
famous Eiffel, 30 castles in different stages of preservation,
urban environment of Novi Sad wide boulevards, monumental
buildings of modern architecture, sports fields,
schools, hospitals, etc.
According to Karisik, benefits from those projects can
result in concrete financial inflow, creation of jobs for a
great number of film workers, and a favourable market
environment for professional TV and film making. However,
wide community would also benefit – industry and crafts
One of locations from www.filminginvojvodina.org
development. Also, this would lead to better preservation
of cultural and historical monuments, and sacral buildings.
Great productions are inconceivable without the military
and police support, meaning new jobs for those structures
as well – leasing of technology, logistics and security.
Benefits for tourism are immeasurable. For example, in her
interview for BBC Nicole Kidman said that Romania was a
great country that everyone should visit. This kind of promotion
is not possible to state in money figures. Also, foreign
media always cover the stay of a film star in a foreign
country.
“What initially motivated us to launch the project was to
make the market environment where it would be easier to
find assets for domestic production. Secondly, there are
secondary benefits, like leaving the equipment behind by
film crews, since it is not worthwhile taking it back, e.g.,
reflectors and generators. Finally, there is a possibility for
our professionals to compensate technological backwardness”,
Karisik concludes.
The presentation will include the TV Pink film studio in
Dobanovci; all other technical facilities will be supplied by
Magic Box in Novi Sad, that has got technology; Berar
Studio will be responsible for audio postproduction in Dolby
sound. All individuals that want to offer their services are
welcome to register.
For every location that will be included in the
Guidebook, there will be available data regarding infrastructure
like electricity and water supply, accommodation, etc.
There are 360 photos on the web site, while around 300
locations will be included in the printed book on 200 pages,
that will be distributed in the electronic form on CD-ROM. It
will be possible to see video clips too. After initial contacts,
producers will receive the Guidebook on request, while to
certain American and European producers the book will be
mailed. }
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