This is an article I recently wrote for Digital studio magazine that had the truth censored for its publication. But ladies and gentlemen, since I am independent media, I can bring you the raw deal. So below is the raw submission i sent to the editors.

For most of the world outside the GCC states, when one thinks of the Middle East and film, immediately popping into minds are the visuals of a war-torn action film, beautiful desert landscape sequences, off-road automotive advertisements or luxurious tourism pieces in some of the world’s most iconic resorts. But what is it like to actually film in the GCC Arab states? What can a producer from the outside expect?

There are always a number of reasons why a movie, TV show or commercial choose one location for another when shooting. The problems can be never ending. Scripts, permits, Incentives, logistics, crew and equipment availability and the dirty word “finance”, make some tough decisions to be made. If authentic Middle Eastern desert setting is needed, international producers must decide between Flying the crew and cast to the Middle East, which seems an expensive and logistics nightmare, or film in an alternative location that is less than substantial or a studio that limits visual scalability. Surprisingly, achieving the authentic Middle Eastern visual directors and producers want, aren’t as terrifying as it sounds.

LOCATIONS AND PERMITS

For those residing in the region, the vast majority of countries in GCC are perfectly safe, but this same knowledge is not shared by much of the public in the western world, where more than likely the term “Middle East” is referred to one consistent war zone. Over the past years there has been an abundance of films set in war-torn Iraq and Afghanistan which have hit our theatres. Only the most dedicated and risk daring Director and Producer would try to transport cast and crew into a war zone for originality.

A solution to this is Abu Dhabi’s TwoFour54 ‘Kizad’ Backlot, just 40mins drive from the Dubai border. The backlot recreates an Iraqi town, with shops and a market, as well as a war-torn part of the city. Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah have also played as Afghanistan and Pakistan in the movie War Machine, showing the diversity of the Emirates.

Kreative Boutique CEO and Producer, Mohammad Al Saad in Kuwait City operates between Kuwait and Saudi regularly.

“Saudi Arabia have lots of locations no other GCC country have. If you are looking for old villages, desert with or without dunes, islands, mountains and green scenery you can find it all in Saudi Arabia”.

Kreative Boutique shooting a commercial for Porsche in Kuwait City

Mohammad says “Kuwait’s industry has been growing with fast pace. The new Minister of Information, Abdul Rahman Al-Mutairi is a supporter of film, and has been happily giving new opportunities to productions. Because of this obtaining permits in Kuwait is much easier now than it was just a few years ago” Kuwait is currently building the new Media City.

Permit approval is one the major issues International productions can face, as some scripts or visual portrayals can have a conflict of interest to GCC Cultural accuracy and fairness. All GCC media councils and commissions within the region take this on a serious note when approving all productions.

Coming from the outside, creativity sometimes feels hindered when many aspects of a Location, script, privacy, and copyright can be limited when it comes to film approvals. This is changing and becoming more internationally friendly, but points of culture and religion will be protected to maintain accuracy and fairness.

COVID SAFE

With the ending to the COVID-19 Pandemic not in near sight, and countries around the world unable to predict border closures or changes in Film regulations. UAE Government officials, the Abu Dhabi Film Commissioner Hans Fraikin and TwoFour54 representatives have set safe working practice that have allowed UAE to be one of the only regions globally to have ZERO break from production since the Pandemic started in early 2020, thus creating a benchmark for productions globally.

Professionals and Equipment

It’s no doubt that the UAE is the best central hub for direct flight connection to Asia, North America and Europe, allowing creatives and industry labour to easily travel to and from the region. This has seen about a huge immigration of film professionals over the years to which has spawned a creative pool of international talents that advertising agencies, international directors and producers have been utilising to lower costs of transporting international crews to the region. Cultural diversity is a major strength for international productions as the various film nationals for hire in the region offer ease of language barrier issues and cultural work ethics.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait being a relative new market, still have the problem of skilled film professional availability, which in the high season, presents an issue for producers.

Gamma Engineering and the Supertechno 50" crane

At the forefront of this is Leighla McGregor founder of CREW-AE who represents some of the region’s most prestigious Directors, Cinematographers and Film professionals.

“We started CREW-AE to address the shortage of good crewing agencies in the region. After identifying the gap when I relocated to the UAE to work as a producer. There was a lack of centralised crew databases as well as a need for payment regulation for crew which inspired me to launch the agency in order to help develop the industry in the region”. Another issue which CREW AE tackle is the freelancer payments, which in the region especially in UAE are quite appalling. With little or no regulation, freelancers lose thousands of dollars to people skipping countries or clients just refusing to pay. The worst part being nothing can be done about it on legal grounds and the region has become an attractive pool for the vultures.

Gamma Engineering FZ LLC, is the biggest supplier of rental film equipment in 4 countries across the region and one stop shop. CEO Joseph Al Kadamani addressed this issue years ago as most rental companies in high season require outsourcing to withstand demand, hence why Gamma has the biggest range of equipment available in the region and a backup of their equipment for high demand seasons.

Incentives

Abu Dhabi introduced its 30% rebate scheme for international productions shooting within the emirate some time ago, as well as offering practical and logistical support through Twofour54. Recent shoots such as, Dune and Mission Impossible 7 have had success from such schemes.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait are catching up with haste and spending billions of dollars on film infrastructure, Saudi Arabia debut at the Cannes Pavilion with a 35% rebate offer, financial options for producers are only becoming more available.

Dubai doesn't have a rebate scheme as such, though its Film and TV Commission (DFTC) also offers practical support to incoming productions located in Studio City. Sound stages, backlots, broadcast centres, post-production studios, Location approval services, accommodation facilities to accommodate crews and casts are just some of the many provisions available.

For many producers abroad, the GCC still can hold issues for executing their scripts but there are many creative solutions within the region ,which when brought together, recreate authentic Middle Eastern and modern film narratives.

The Middle East, more than a warzone