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Thailand aims to be Asias Movie production Hub June 14, 2010

Every year, more than 400 foreign productions are shot in Thailand, a country which attracts more andmore filming thanks to the diversity of its scenery and the professionalism of its local staff. Thegovernment is also expecting an increase of foreign tourist due to the positive impact of movies on the

foreign audience.Everybody knows Bollywood, the Indian Mecca for filmmakers of the sub continent. But what aboutBangkollywood ? Is it really on his way, or is it just another gimmick bound to fade away ? Eventhough 2010 started well with more than 110 foreign productions shot in Thailand between Januaryand February, the recent political crisis between the Red T-shirts and the government canceled ordelayed many shootings. To regain the trust of foreign companies, the government is now preparingtax exemptions for foreign filming in Thailand. According to the Thailand Film Office, there were 116foreign movies which were filmed in January and February this year, generating a total income of 213million THB. Out of this number, 40 were documentaries, 60 advertising movies, 5 feature films, 7 TVmovies, and 4 music videos. A majority of the production was from Japan, a total of 33, followed byIndia, 22, and Europe, 20.

In Thailand, there are many people to choose from when you are making a film. Also, all ofthe equipment houses are here, so if you need some equipment or lights right away youcan get it without stopping the production. Bangkok to me is like the LA of Thailand.

says David Winters (The King Maker, 2005)

During 2009, about 500 foreign productions have been shotin the Kingdom, among those were 166 TV commercials,37 feature movies and 181 documentaries, that broughtmore that 890 millions of baths. Japan is the most active

country in Thailand, followed by India and Europeancountries. Movies like Star Wars, Episode III, OliverStones Alexander or The Beach were shot in Thailand.

Thailand is one of the most developed countries inSouth East Asia for audiovisual industry. It hasgreat scenery, good equipment and qualified staff,and with very competitive prices.

explains Alain Brulfert, managing-director ofReperages Group (Thailand)

The variety of Thailands landscapes offers a wide choicefor producers: beaches, modern cities, tropical forests,mountains, almost everywhere can be a potential shootingset, for documentaries as well as fiction movies. A lot ofAmerican movies depicting the Vietnam War were alsoactually shot in Thailand, like the Rambo series, GoodMorning Vietnam or The Deer Hunter.

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An international shooting set

While Thailand is not yet the Hollywood of Asia, with government incentives for foreignfilmmakers to shoot their productions in Thailand in the works, increased BOI attention toinvestment in entertainment infrastructure and additional funds for Thai filmmakers and others inthe industry, it will not be long before Thailand takes its place as the entertainment capital of Asia.

thinks the BOI (Board of Investment).

Under the responsibility of the Tourism Office, the Thailand Film Offices goal is to promote the countryas an ideal shooting set for foreign productions. A movie using Thailands landscape is a greatopportunity for the country to invite the audience in Thailand. It also brings money to the governmentas well as work for the locals. For the last five years, foreign movies generated more than six billionbaths.

Recently, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) authorized the shooting of the French movieLargo Winch 2, 60% percent of the film will be shot in Thailand, in places like Bangkok, ChiangMai or Pattaya. With a release in February 2011, the TAT is expecting an increase of the numberof French tourists.

In 1999, British director Danny Boyle came to Thailand to direct his movie The Beach, starring

Leonardo Di Caprio. The film tells the story of a group of backpackers heading for a remote island toescape western civilization. Most of the shooting took place on the Maya beach, in the Phi Phi Islandsnational park.

But, despite the discontent of the locals, the movie production insisted on changing the originallandscape of the beach, claiming it was not tropical enough. The transportation of equipment alsodamaged the coral and vegetation of the island.

In 1973, the ninth James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun is shot on the Ko Khao PhingKan Island. After the release of the movie, an important stream of tourists arrived to the island,damaging some of its landscape. It is now best-known as James Bond Island.

Shootings are now under surveillance to avoid any deterioration.

As an obligation, an official from the Film Board of Thailand must follow the shooting to check if theproducers are following the script submitted to the board. This person also keeps an eye on any harmthat could be done to the environment, like it happened in 2006 for the shooting of Rambo IV andAmerican Gangster.

One of the most prolific British directors (now domiciled in Thailand), David Winters (The King Maker,2005) who produced and directed over 70 films in an 8 year period said,

There are many opportunities for shooting films in Thailand: mainly because of the cost of the labor inproducing films here. Another main reason is there is already an infrastructure existing here as thereare many local films made each year. You have a choice of many post-production houses, as well asmany labs.

Thailand is the only real center for film making in all of South East Asia. Many other countries talkabout making international films, but they do not have the opportunity to work on many and so it ismore of a dream than a reality.

But recently many shooting were delayed or canceled because of the political events in Bangkokbetween the Red T-shirts and the government. Thailand lost about 900 millions baths due to thesecancellations. To regain the trust of the foreign producers and encourage them to come back toThailand, the government is now discussing new laws that will reduce taxes for foreign productions.

Melaine Brou / www.thailande-fr.com

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Movie Productions in Thailand (2003-2009)

Documentaries Commercials Movies TV Series Music Video Total

2009 181 166 37 52 60 496

2008 197 184 28 48 69 526

2007 229 198 22 32 42 523

2006 188 201 26 37 39 494

2005 245 183 21 16 27 492

2004 207 173 28 11 22 441

2003 185 162 18 7 16 388

Original Article >>>http://thailande-fr.com/headline/5352-la-thailande-mise-sur-le-grand-ecran-pour-redorer-son-image

Film & VDO Assistance in ThailandThe film & TV department ofReperages Group (Thailand) is specialized in scouting and assistance

of foreign film crews while shooting movies in Thailand or Southeast Asia.www.reperages-thailand.com

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