Written by on Dec 16, 2011. Posted in General Interest

Editor’s Weekly

Ahmad Tea has recreated turn-of-the-20th Century England in Portugal, revealing a potential alternative for commercial filmmakers seeking more bang for their buck. We also took an in-depth look at a pretty stunning new commercial from Jeep that filmed on location in Budapest.

The production found the location cheaper than filming in the UK and the biggest challenge seems to have been finding a local cast who spoke perfect English.

Portugal’s Palacio de Marquis de Fronteira in Benfica, Lisbon, doubled for England in Ahmad Tea’s new commercial, which is due for release in the next few weeks. The production found the location cheaper than filming in the UK and the biggest challenge seems to have been finding a local cast who spoke perfect English. It’ll be a few weeks yet until the advert is released, but the photos give the impression that the Fronteira Palace (as it’s also known) presents an easy double for a period British locale.

On the subject of doubling, Jeep has released a spectacular new commercial that was filmed on location in Budapest. The city was originally chosen as a stand-in for Paris, although as the project evolved it became a bit more generic. The spot itself promotes a special edition of Jeep’s Wrangler vehicle. What’s special about it? Well, it carries the branding of new videogame Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, as Jeep is banking on older gamers rushing out and buying the rugged vehicle.

Jeep's new Call of Duty tie-in demonstrates the enduring appeal of Eastern Europe as a production hub, and also a part of the world that looks good and can double for more iconic locations both practically and in terms of cost.

The commercial looks great with stylish super-slow-motion footage and cameo appearances from a tank and a helicopter gunship. It demonstrates the enduring appeal of Eastern Europe as a production hub, and also a part of the world that looks good and can double for more iconic locations both practically and in terms of cost. Hungary and its neighbours seem to be becoming a popular choice for live-action advertising campaigns promoting videogames - the atmospheric commercial for Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was filmed in Prague.

As the global release of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol fast approaches, we explored behind the scenes of the film’s month-long Dubai shoot. Authorities in the city seem to have fallen over themselves to make sure Tom Cruise could scale the Burj Khalifa in relative comfort, and it seems unlikely we’ll be seeing anything more spectacular before The Dark Knight Rises and The Amazing Spider-Man next summer.

As ever, the nagging question remains as to whether the United Arab Emirates as a whole will introduce a formal incentive that will smile on lower-profile projects as well as blockbusters with a global reach. The Abu Dhabi Film Commission has hinted there’s a plan afoot, but it’ll be a few months before any details are released.

As ever, the nagging question remains as to whether the United Arab Emirates as a whole will introduce a formal incentive that will smile on lower-profile projects as well as blockbusters with a global reach.

Elsewhere we spoke to Todd Jones, an aerial cinematography specialist, about filming in Wyoming, while Penny Skuse, of the Wales Screen Commission, talked to us about the continuing appeal of Wales as a filming location. We’re also very excited to have been given a revealing look into the Bolivian film industry through the eyes of the Benavides family, who run servicing company Artistas Latinos.

As always, The Location Guide’s Film-Friendly Locations database continues to grow. If you manage a building or a location that you think qualifies as film-friendly, or you’ve filmed somewhere recently that you think should be listed on our website, please contact Ewa.

If you’ve got some great location filming stories to share and you’d like to be part of our profile section (see here), or you have an idea for an article (see here) please contact Murray.

If you've been working on location anywhere in the world and you're looking for some press coverage, please contact Nick. We’d all be happy to hear from you.