ATTRACTING INTERNATIONAL FILM BUSINESS TO INDIA

Background:

The world over more and more countries understands the rewards of attracting International film productions to shoot within their boundaries. In the short term not only do these productions bring in much required money, training and infrastructure. They also provide an impetus to ailing film industries; they provide much needed work and revenue.

The long term has more to offer. An international hit film seen globally does more for tourism in one stroke than any campaign costing millions of dollars. This was first seen with the case of the English patient. The Algerian government capitalized on the Oscar nomination of this film and tourism grew 10 fold. New Zealand has seen the same phenomena with Lord of the Rings. The locations of the film shooting have become great tourist destinations, as has the country as a whole.

Countries blessed with exotic locations understand the importance of creating opportunities to film so as to ensure instant publicity, which leads to greater tourism apart from the enormous resources that any film brings to the economy.

In recent times Switzerland, Scotland, Ireland and parts of the Midlands have understood this and have provided great benefits for Indian film crews to shoot scenes there. Their long-term agenda is to increase tourism.

Scope

Each year over 2.5 billion dollars is spent by film companies’ world wide in filming on location.

Last year film companies’ shooting in Thailand and Sri Lanka to recreate scenes pertaining to India or shooting scenes in locales that were exotic spent over 400 million dollars.

Over 300,000 man-days of work were provided to local film industry technicians, actors, actresses, extras, catering services, hotel industry, transportation and internal travel.

India’s Status

India got less than 1% of the global location shooting pie. The success of Monsoon Wedding has spurred global producers to look with renewed interest as India as a possible location.

In a number of cases this interest was not carried through due to various bottlenecks and

multiple problems which includes:-

• Multiple agencies to be contacted for permissions.
• Slow tedious process to procure permissions.
• Often different bodies at the state or central level do not expedite the process due to a lack of interest.
• Lack of tax incentives.
• Lack of a clear system designed to aid someone wishing to shoot in the country.
• Limited information available on hotels, transport, connectivity at exotic locations.
• Frequent changes in tax structure and rates do no allow for budget planning in advance.
• Security concerns where even a handful of persons can disrupt a whole shoot.
• Weak administrative concern.
• Corruption.

What India Has to Offer

• The world’s most exotic locations.
• A range of places including beaches, mountains, forests and valleys.
• A vibrant film and TV industry.
• A strong infrastructure and experienced personnel.
• An English speaking crew
• An ability to provide services at 1\3 the cost of what’s available in other countries.

Issues to be Addressed

• A one-window permission system governed by MEA or the local Embassy\ High Commission.
• A specified time bound period to apply for permissions. (30 – 45 days)
• An emergency applications procedure
• Information available on an updated web site and through print material.
• An efficient liaison person who has access to other Government departments.
• Tax incentives.
• Transparency
• Zero tolerance of corruption
• Excess to medical facilities in emergencies.
• Informed briefings, orientation program and adequate videos available stating locations, facilities, studios, man power, line production companies, etc.

Marketing

• Use International film premieres to highlight new policy and distribute tapes and information
• Use film festivals and film markets to market the same.
• Use TV markets like MIP, NATPE and organizations like Bafta, Film Council and more to inform their members of possible facilities.

_{This note has been written by Sanjoy Roy based on discussions with a large number of persons including Cannal Plus, Pan Nalin, Miramax, Mira Nair, BBC, Trustee National Film Council (UK) among others}