production services and soft money incentives - Studio Babelsberg

FILMING IN GERMANY
PRODUCTION SERVICES AND SOFT MONEY INCENTIVES

CONTENTS 02
REFERENCE FILMS
SOFT MONEY INCENTIVES
PRODUCTION SERVICES / CREW
SOUND STAGES / BACKLOTS
PRODUCTION FACILITIES OVERVIEW
SET CONSTRUCTION
VFX COMPANIES
LOCATIONS
BERLIN / HOTELS
CONTACT
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
“Thanks to Germany’s generous subsidies and film incentives
the country has become an attractive region for both independent
filmmakers like Stephen Daldry and Quentin Tarantino as well as
studio producers like Joel Silver.”
VARIETY

REFERENCE FILMS
03
Some of the feature films made at Studio Babelsberg or realized in cooperation with Studio Babelsberg Motion Pictures in the past ten years.

SOFT MONEY INCENTIVES
04
The German film production rebate is internationally recognized:
Apart from numerous European co-productions, such renowned films
as The Reader, Valkyrie, The International, Inglourious Basterds,
The Ghost Writer, Unknown, The Three Musketeers 3D, Hansel and
Gretel: Witch Hunters or, more recently, Wes Anderson’s The Grand
Budapest Hotel and George Clooney’s The Monuments Men have
benefited from the program.
STUDIO BABELSBERG IS YOUR RELIABLE PARTNER
FOR ALL INCENTIVE, SOFT MONEY AND FINANCING SOLUTIONS
UP TO 20% CASH REBATE PLUS REGIONAL SOFT MONIES
The German federal government as well as regional film funds support
filmmakers by a one-of-a-kind film production rebate program.
k Access the 20% rebate and regional subsidies
k Build cost-effective and reliable funding and financing structures
k Help with all governmental and institutional issues
k Cost-effective advice in all tax, insurance, employment and
legal matters
“The film came in $5 million under budget and five days early.
That means more money for music and CGI.“
GEORGE CLOONEY, THE MONUMENTS MEN
The German Federal Film Fund (DFFF) contributes annually with
EUR 70 million to stimulate production activities in the film industry.
International co-producers can apply for a rebate of up to 20% for
their spend on the ground.
In addition, a number of regional film funds provide efficient support
to productions of any budget. Many German states grant funds
and additional soft money depending on the regional spend.
MORE INFORMATION ON GERMAN FILM FUNDING
THE GERMAN FEDERAL FILM FUND
www.dfff-ffa.de
REGIONAL FILM FUNDS “THE BIG SIX”
Berlin-Brandenburg www.medienboard.de
Bavaria www.fff-bayern.de
Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein www.ffhsh.de
North-Rhine-Westphalia www.filmstiftung.de
Baden-Württemberg www.mfg.de/film
Middle-Germany (Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia)
www.mdm-online.de

PRODUCTION SERVICES / CREW
05
YOUR PERFECT PRODUCTION PARTNER
Studio Babelsberg Motion Pictures is a company set up to meet the
exacting needs of any film project. We act either as a co-producer or
experienced production service supporting international and local producers
with a complete set of services.
Our team is specialized in international productions and provides
exceptional services at all stages of production.
Germany has a deep, local skilled crew base. You can hire each position
locally, which means enormous savings in travel, hotels and per diems.
“Obviously, the Babelsberg crews are top-notch –
the best in the world!”
MATT DAMON, THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
German crews can support several international feature shootings at
the same time.
We have successfully managed productions from high to low budget,
and we will find the perfect solution for your shooting plans in Germany
and elsewhere.
We have worked in Germany, Europe and in various parts of the world
with crews hired by Studio Babelsberg Motion Pictures.
k Production Management
k Locations
k Permits
k Budgets, Schedules
k Crew and Cast Hire
k Vendor Relationships
k Production Accounting
k Payroll Accounting
k VAT Reimbursement
PRODUCTION SERVICES INCLUDE
k Insurance
k Co-production Structures
k Government and Institutional
Relations
k Work Permits
k Banking
k Legal Advice
k Contracts
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ONLINE

SOUND STAGES / BACKLOTS
06
As the largest studio complex in Europe, Studio Babelsberg offers 20
sound stages, various back lots and exterior sets on a spacious 39-
acre lot. Whether you are looking for historical sound-proof stages or
state-of-the-art VFX/SFX studios: 300,000 square feet are available for
film productions. Each stage has production and support areas, including
make-up and dressing rooms, storage areas and offices. The
on-site office facilities and workshops ensure maximum production efficiency.
In addition, Studio Babelsberg features Germany’s largest indoor water
tank for water and underwater filming and permanent sets like a Boeing
737 aircraft gimble or the backlot “Berliner Street” – a typical street
setting on a 1.7 acre lot with 26 house facades, convertible into any
European city.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ONLINE

PRODUCTION FACILITIES OVERVIEW 07
MARLENE-DIETRICH-STAGE
Stages 1 – 3
Total area 5,400 m² 60,000 sq. ft.
Max. height 14.0 m 45.9 ft.
NEUE FILM 2
Stages 15 + 16
Total area 8,500 m² 91,070 sq. ft.
Max. height 10.5 m 34.0 ft.
TONKREUZ
Stages 4 – 7
Total area 2,100 m² 22,600 sq. ft.
Max. height 9.0 m 29.5 ft.
BACKLOTS
Total area ca.17,000 m²
182,150 sq. ft.
HOUSE 3 NEW WEST / NEW EAST
Stages 8 + 9
Total area 1,320 m² 14,200 sq. ft.
Max. height 8.0 m 26.25 ft.
ZFF MEDIA HOUSE
4 Stages
Total area 2,880 m² 31,000 sq. ft.
Max. height 10.5 m 34.4 ft.
FX.CENTER
Stages 10 – 12
Floor space from 169 m² 1,819 sq. ft.
to 585 m² 6,297 sq. ft.
Max. height 13.0 m 42.6 ft.
WATER TANK
500,000 litres 132 gallons
Water depth 4 m 13 ft.
NEUE FILM 1
Stages 14 + 17
Total area 6,500 m² 69,640 sq. ft.
Max. height 11.5 m 37.7 ft.
INTERIOR SETS AND MOCK UPS
AIRCRAFT
RAIL CAR

SET CONSTRUCTION
08
“Absolutely beautiful! When you see, as an actor, the design,
the set and the props of such a high standard, it makes you
wanna be good and it makes you realize that these people are
very, very creative.”
BILL NIGHY, VALKYRIE
CONSTRUCTION IS A STRONG ASSET
Our Construction Department is the technical heart of Studio Babelsberg.
For almost 100 years, it has carried on the grand tradition of film
architecture, a tradition that goes all the way back to such film classics
as Metropolis or The Blue Angel.
The unit includes modern workshops as well as pre-fabrication areas
such as carpentry with high-tech CNC machining (CAD), molding and
painting workshops, upholstery and locksmith’s workshops. The onsite
Construction Department reduces production and transportation
costs. Build-up-and-knock-down processes are well organized and time
efficient.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ONLINE

VFX COMPANIES 09
Germany hosts many internationally renowned VFX companies.
SCANLINE
based in Munich and Duisburg www.scanlinevfx.com
VFX COMPANIES GERMANY
THE LIGHT WORKS
based in Cologne www.thelightworks.com
PIXOMONDO
based at Studio Babelsberg www.pixomondo.com
TRIXTER
based in Berlin and Munich www.trixter.de
MORRO IMAGES
based at Studio Babelsberg www.morroimages.com
ARRI VFX DEPARTMENT
based in Berlin, Munich and Cologne www.arri.de
DAS WERK
based in Berlin www.das-werk.de
LIGA 01
based in Munich and Hamburg www.liga01.de
AMBIENT ENTERTAINMENT
based in Hannover www.ambient-entertainment.de
KOPP FILM
based in Berlin and Halle www.koppfilm.de
STARGATE STUDIOS
based at Studio Babelsberg www.stargatestudios.de
RISE FX
based in Berlin, Cologne and Halle www.risefx.com
LOOK EFFECTS
based in Stuttgart www.lookfx.com
MACKEVISION
based in Stuttgart www.mackevision.de
EXOZET EFFECTS
based at Studio Babelsberg and in Berlin
www.exozet.com/effects

LOCATIONS
10
UNIQUE FILMING LOCATIONS
Germany is Europe’s most diverse and historic film production
region. It has nearly every picturesque landscape and backdrop you
could ever imagine: islands, sea, mountains and valleys, rivers and
lakes, medieval ruins, castles, industrial centers, contemporary architecture
and much more.
“Babelsberg provided a thoroughly supportive
creative environment.”
KATE WINSLET, THE READER
Studio Babelsberg’s excellent location, only a few minutes from the
trendy city of Berlin with its variety of film locations, combined with
Germany’s state-of-the-art infrastructure make Studio Babelsberg into
one of the most attractive production hubs in Europe.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ONLINE

BERLIN / HOTELS
11
THE VIBRANT CAPITAL CITY IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
Berlin is the place to be. Whether it is museums or galleries, dining
or entertainment, film, music or fashion, Germany’s capital is a place
where new trends are set. The legendary nightlife, the attractive and
unusual shopping opportunities, but also the unique history shaped by
changes and upheavals, are attracting more and more people from all
over the world.
“Berlin is the coolest city in Europe - and it was a real thrill
to work in the Babelsberg studios.”
QUENTIN TARANTINO, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
The mix of modern and historic architecture, the atmosphere of a
creative capital and, last but not least, Europe’s most modern array of
hotels, have made Berlin into one of the most sought-after urban
destinations worldwide. And the German capital is still affordable and
offers value for money. Berlin is a dynamic international city where
English is widely spoken.
With numerous high standard hotels and best rates in Europe, Berlin
offers exceptional accommodation for cast and crew. Studio Babelsberg
has special cooperation deals with various hotels and boarding
houses from budget to luxury accommodations.
WWW.GERMANY-TOURISM.DE
WWW.VISITBERLIN.COM

CONTACT 12
Henning Molfenter
Managing Director
henning.molfenter@sbmp.biz
Charlie Woebcken
Managing Director
carl.woebcken@sbmp.biz
Marie Wildenhain
Executive Assistant
marie.wildenhain@sbmp.biz
Fon + 49 331 / 721 31 51
Fax + 49 331 / 721 25 25
www.studiobabelsberg.com