We know the guests of The White Lotus don’t shy away from splashing the cash and a Motion Picture Association study has now revealed inward investment on the HBO show’s second season in Italy neared $40M.
A cool €32M ($35.8M) was made on direct production costs, delegates at the Audio-Visual Producers Summit in Trieste, Italy heard this morning. Of that, 75% (about $26.7M) went on local goods and services, with the other 25% ($8.9M) spent on wages and salaries. In total, about 1,500 full or part-time jobs were created through HBO’s investment.
The MPA said that if indirect costs are included, the figure rises to €38M ($42.2M) and 1,900 full or part-time jobs.
The figures were laid out by MPA President and Managing Director for Emea Stan McCoy during a panel titled ‘The Value of Producing in Italy,’ which outlined how and why major U.S. networks and studios were looking...
A cool €32M ($35.8M) was made on direct production costs, delegates at the Audio-Visual Producers Summit in Trieste, Italy heard this morning. Of that, 75% (about $26.7M) went on local goods and services, with the other 25% ($8.9M) spent on wages and salaries. In total, about 1,500 full or part-time jobs were created through HBO’s investment.
The MPA said that if indirect costs are included, the figure rises to €38M ($42.2M) and 1,900 full or part-time jobs.
The figures were laid out by MPA President and Managing Director for Emea Stan McCoy during a panel titled ‘The Value of Producing in Italy,’ which outlined how and why major U.S. networks and studios were looking...
- 7/20/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Italy’s iconic Cinecittà Studios turn 85 this year and it’s never looked so young.
The famed facilities, which in their Hollywood-on-the-Tiber heyday hosted sword-and-sandals epics such as William Wyler’s “Ben-Hur” and were later home to Federico Fellini, are undergoing a major overhaul that now sees Europe’s largest LED wall situated on the lot near Fellini’s huge Studio 5.
Known as Cinecittà’s T18 Virtual Production Stage, the 412-square-meter semicircular screen made up of hundreds of high-def displays that serve as interactive backdrops for actors on a smart set, is one of more than a dozen state-of-the art soundstages being built there thanks to a multimillion-euro cash injection provided by the European Union’s post-pandemic recovery fund.
The revamp is being spearheaded by Nicola Maccanico, managing director of Italy’s Istituto Luce-Cinecittà, the state film entity that operates Rome’s expanding Cinecittà Studios. He has ambitions for Cinecittà...
The famed facilities, which in their Hollywood-on-the-Tiber heyday hosted sword-and-sandals epics such as William Wyler’s “Ben-Hur” and were later home to Federico Fellini, are undergoing a major overhaul that now sees Europe’s largest LED wall situated on the lot near Fellini’s huge Studio 5.
Known as Cinecittà’s T18 Virtual Production Stage, the 412-square-meter semicircular screen made up of hundreds of high-def displays that serve as interactive backdrops for actors on a smart set, is one of more than a dozen state-of-the art soundstages being built there thanks to a multimillion-euro cash injection provided by the European Union’s post-pandemic recovery fund.
The revamp is being spearheaded by Nicola Maccanico, managing director of Italy’s Istituto Luce-Cinecittà, the state film entity that operates Rome’s expanding Cinecittà Studios. He has ambitions for Cinecittà...
- 5/12/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
For some cinephiles, Sicily may still conjure images from “The Godfather” franchise, but the Italian isle has long moved on.
When you see Sicily on screen these days in movies and TV series made for global audiences, the narratives now seldom involve Cosa Nostra tropes as they once used to. What’s taking precedence for producers now is the sheer beauty of the Sicilian landscape in its plethora of forms.
“For decades Sicily was where you would come to film stories that were centered around the Mafia and organized crime; but now this is changing,” says Sicilian Film Commission chief Nicola Tarantino. He notes that only 10 of the roughly 45 projects supported by the commission last year have anything to do with the mob.
While the crime angle may have boosted Sicily’s profile as a location, productions that chose the island for filming are just “less and less interested in this theme,...
When you see Sicily on screen these days in movies and TV series made for global audiences, the narratives now seldom involve Cosa Nostra tropes as they once used to. What’s taking precedence for producers now is the sheer beauty of the Sicilian landscape in its plethora of forms.
“For decades Sicily was where you would come to film stories that were centered around the Mafia and organized crime; but now this is changing,” says Sicilian Film Commission chief Nicola Tarantino. He notes that only 10 of the roughly 45 projects supported by the commission last year have anything to do with the mob.
While the crime angle may have boosted Sicily’s profile as a location, productions that chose the island for filming are just “less and less interested in this theme,...
- 5/11/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The art of world building is pushing several international films to the forefront this awards season, and Hollywood has sweeping foreign visuals, borderless below-the-line talent and coveted tax breaks to thank for it.
From setting the period in “Belfast,” “Spencer” and “House of Gucci,” to high-action romps in “No Time to Die” and “The Matrix Resurrections,” and arid mastery in “Dune” and “The Power of the Dog,” these overseas productions are expected to be highly recognized at the Academy Awards.
“International contenders will only serve to enhance craft categories this year,” says Dana Salston, whose Intrinsic Agency specializes in below-the-line talent. “International head of departments have been in-demand for 20-plus years, and that is only increasing. The industry is truly a global marketplace now, and certainly this year has shown a massive increase in the need for international talent.”
When it came to filming “Spencer,” the crew knew they would...
From setting the period in “Belfast,” “Spencer” and “House of Gucci,” to high-action romps in “No Time to Die” and “The Matrix Resurrections,” and arid mastery in “Dune” and “The Power of the Dog,” these overseas productions are expected to be highly recognized at the Academy Awards.
“International contenders will only serve to enhance craft categories this year,” says Dana Salston, whose Intrinsic Agency specializes in below-the-line talent. “International head of departments have been in-demand for 20-plus years, and that is only increasing. The industry is truly a global marketplace now, and certainly this year has shown a massive increase in the need for international talent.”
When it came to filming “Spencer,” the crew knew they would...
- 1/21/2022
- by Amber Dowling
- Variety Film + TV
Italy’s Boosted Infrastructure and Incentives Attract Big Pics Such as ‘House of Gucci’ and ‘Cyrano’
Italy, which has always been attractive for international film and TV productions, is now making huge strides as a shooting destination mainly due to its Covid safety measures and smart rebate, on top its stunning locations.
The number of high-profile Hollywood shoots that since the pandemic have flocked to Italian sites — from the Alpine Alto Adige area to Sicily and Sardinia — has increased exponentially.
Productions taking advantage of Italy’s attractive incentives and deep crew base include “Mission: Impossible 7,” Netflix’s Dwayne Johnson-starrer “Red Notice,” Amazon’s “The Wheel of Time,” Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” “Indiana Jones 5” and also Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci,” Showtime’s “Ripley” series and Joe Wright’s “Cyrano.”
These last three productions have the distinction of being lensed almost entirely in the country.
Foreign production spend this year in Italy is estimated at roughly $250 million and is expected to double...
The number of high-profile Hollywood shoots that since the pandemic have flocked to Italian sites — from the Alpine Alto Adige area to Sicily and Sardinia — has increased exponentially.
Productions taking advantage of Italy’s attractive incentives and deep crew base include “Mission: Impossible 7,” Netflix’s Dwayne Johnson-starrer “Red Notice,” Amazon’s “The Wheel of Time,” Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” “Indiana Jones 5” and also Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci,” Showtime’s “Ripley” series and Joe Wright’s “Cyrano.”
These last three productions have the distinction of being lensed almost entirely in the country.
Foreign production spend this year in Italy is estimated at roughly $250 million and is expected to double...
- 11/29/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Italy, the European country initially hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic, is weathering the second wave well with film and TV production chugging along at a relatively healthy pace thanks to efficient safety protocols and government incentives.
Culture minister Dario Franceschini has just trumpeted a fresh injection of cash to support production, upping resources to fund the Italian tax rebate from €400 million ($474 million) to $652 million for 2021 while raising the incentive’s cap from 30% to 40% of a local production’s budget. The tax rebate is Italy’s main tool to combat the rise in economic costs and risks caused by coronavirus.
The Italian culture czar has also announced plans to double available backlot space at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios and to bring in millions of euros in new resources as part of a revamp of the famed facilities, where several substantial U.S. studio productions are expected to set up camp next year.
Culture minister Dario Franceschini has just trumpeted a fresh injection of cash to support production, upping resources to fund the Italian tax rebate from €400 million ($474 million) to $652 million for 2021 while raising the incentive’s cap from 30% to 40% of a local production’s budget. The tax rebate is Italy’s main tool to combat the rise in economic costs and risks caused by coronavirus.
The Italian culture czar has also announced plans to double available backlot space at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios and to bring in millions of euros in new resources as part of a revamp of the famed facilities, where several substantial U.S. studio productions are expected to set up camp next year.
- 12/9/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
A second spike of coronavirus cases and new national lockdowns in Europe aren’t yet stopping film and television productions abroad, as new precautions to keep casts and crew in quarantine bubbles have been largely successful.
Last spring, cameras stopped rolling almost everywhere during the first Covid-19 lockdown, since much was unknown about safeguarding sets from the virus that has caused 1.2 million deaths worldwide. But this winter, shoots in France, Italy, Germany and the U.K. are largely carrying on — even as restrictions are presenting fresh headaches and soaring costs.
Since France emerged from a three-month lockdown in May, the volume of shoots has skyrocketed, especially in June after the government launched a $116 million indemnity fund covering producers in case of Covid-19-related postponements or cancellations.
“In Paris, the number of shoots for films, TV series and commercials has exploded; we’ve never had so many shoots in the city,...
Last spring, cameras stopped rolling almost everywhere during the first Covid-19 lockdown, since much was unknown about safeguarding sets from the virus that has caused 1.2 million deaths worldwide. But this winter, shoots in France, Italy, Germany and the U.K. are largely carrying on — even as restrictions are presenting fresh headaches and soaring costs.
Since France emerged from a three-month lockdown in May, the volume of shoots has skyrocketed, especially in June after the government launched a $116 million indemnity fund covering producers in case of Covid-19-related postponements or cancellations.
“In Paris, the number of shoots for films, TV series and commercials has exploded; we’ve never had so many shoots in the city,...
- 11/3/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
In February, “Mission: Impossible 7” was forced to halt production in Italy days before its planned shoot in Venice, as the country contended with one of the highest coronavirus death rates in Europe.
Cut to September. The Venice Film Festival is the first top-tier fest physically taking place, and Tom Cruise is expected back in the lagoon city later this month to resume shooting, according to multiple sources.
The Paramount production is getting logistical support from Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, where “Mission: Impossible 7” currently has an operational office. And, barring complications, Cinecittà is gearing up for a boom.
At the iconic – and recently revamped – facilities outside the Italian capital, cameras resumed rolling in early July on high-end British TV series “Domina,” the Sky original looking at power of women in Ancient Rome, which had shut down production in early March.
This lavish period piece co-produced by Sky Studios with the U.
Cut to September. The Venice Film Festival is the first top-tier fest physically taking place, and Tom Cruise is expected back in the lagoon city later this month to resume shooting, according to multiple sources.
The Paramount production is getting logistical support from Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, where “Mission: Impossible 7” currently has an operational office. And, barring complications, Cinecittà is gearing up for a boom.
At the iconic – and recently revamped – facilities outside the Italian capital, cameras resumed rolling in early July on high-end British TV series “Domina,” the Sky original looking at power of women in Ancient Rome, which had shut down production in early March.
This lavish period piece co-produced by Sky Studios with the U.
- 9/2/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Myriad Pictures handles international sales on Fatima.
Picturehouse has set an August 28 theatrical and PVOD launch for faith-based drama Fatima and has been partnering on a pop-up drive-in US tour.
The film has been the focus of a pop-up tour in metro centres organised with events group A-List Communications that has staged July screenings at this year’s Super Bowl venue at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Simi Valley, California attended by Picturehouse’s Bob and Jeanne Berney, and a private event with the Hamptons Film Festival’s summer drive-in initiative.
Upcoming tour screenings include Soldiers’ Field in Chicago...
Picturehouse has set an August 28 theatrical and PVOD launch for faith-based drama Fatima and has been partnering on a pop-up drive-in US tour.
The film has been the focus of a pop-up tour in metro centres organised with events group A-List Communications that has staged July screenings at this year’s Super Bowl venue at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Simi Valley, California attended by Picturehouse’s Bob and Jeanne Berney, and a private event with the Hamptons Film Festival’s summer drive-in initiative.
Upcoming tour screenings include Soldiers’ Field in Chicago...
- 7/25/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Bob and Jeanne Berney’s Picturehouse will open Marco Pontecorvo’s Fatima in theaters and direct to home (PVOD) throughout North America on Aug. 28.
The pic was last scheduled for an Aug. 14, 1,000-theater-plus run. The distributor has been having sold out pop-up drive-in previews recently as part of their grassroots word-of-mouth digital marketing campaign.
Picturehouse picked up the movie in October. The movie was first scheduled for April 24 before the exhibition Covid-19 shutdown. The movie is set during the Spanish Flu, and has echoes to what’s going on now.
“The response to Fatima at our Pop-Up Drive-In Premieres has been wonderful,” says Bob Berney, CEO. “Audiences and social media reactions have convinced us that we need to get this movie out now. We held out as long as possible for a traditional theatrical release, but given the national situation, we did not want to postpone the release of this...
The pic was last scheduled for an Aug. 14, 1,000-theater-plus run. The distributor has been having sold out pop-up drive-in previews recently as part of their grassroots word-of-mouth digital marketing campaign.
Picturehouse picked up the movie in October. The movie was first scheduled for April 24 before the exhibition Covid-19 shutdown. The movie is set during the Spanish Flu, and has echoes to what’s going on now.
“The response to Fatima at our Pop-Up Drive-In Premieres has been wonderful,” says Bob Berney, CEO. “Audiences and social media reactions have convinced us that we need to get this movie out now. We held out as long as possible for a traditional theatrical release, but given the national situation, we did not want to postpone the release of this...
- 7/23/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Italy has always been attractive as a location, and now that increased global TV and film production is filling up soundstages around Europe, Rome’s Cinecittà is gunning to regain its global status as a top studio.
The fabled facility, located on 99 acres of public land, had lost some of the luster of its 1950s and 1960s heyday, when it hosted international shoots including “Ben-Hur” and epitomized la dolce vita with such movies as “8½.” But it is now in the midst of a radical overhaul, including upgrades to the 19 existing soundstages, state-of-the-art stage space and a 5G broadband network.
Construction is under way on a new 3,500-sq.-meter soundstage touted as one of the largest in Europe, with plans to cut the ribbon by 2020. Another stage, for green screen, will be completed soon. And a pool for underwater filming will also be ready for action next year
“We want Cinecittà...
The fabled facility, located on 99 acres of public land, had lost some of the luster of its 1950s and 1960s heyday, when it hosted international shoots including “Ben-Hur” and epitomized la dolce vita with such movies as “8½.” But it is now in the midst of a radical overhaul, including upgrades to the 19 existing soundstages, state-of-the-art stage space and a 5G broadband network.
Construction is under way on a new 3,500-sq.-meter soundstage touted as one of the largest in Europe, with plans to cut the ribbon by 2020. Another stage, for green screen, will be completed soon. And a pool for underwater filming will also be ready for action next year
“We want Cinecittà...
- 8/23/2019
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
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