A horror film has become the first fictional feature to be filmed on location in Antarctica. Kirk Watson is a documentary filmmaker and climbing instructor from Scotland who made South of Sanity while working in Antarctica for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
The Cape Film Commission in South Africa has urged caution for a plan to alter a local landmark that’s become a popular filming location. Cape Town is considering developing its foreshore highway, which has been sitting unfinished for several decades.
The Uruguay Film Office will join the Board of Directors at the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) in 2013 and 2014. Uruguay’s membership was initiated by the Latin American Film Commission’s Network (LAFCN) and it becomes the first Latin American member.
The Malta Film Commission has been awarded EUR500,000 to help it develop its film crew base. Money will be funnelled into training below-the-line production employees like location scouts, special effects and lighting experts, and wardrobe managers.
Quentin Tarantino filmed scenes for his Western Django Unchained in Wyoming when the required snow didn’t make an appearance in California. Wyoming is on the plains of the western US and appeals mainly as a commercial filming location.
A steep location filming fee at the newly-opened Grand Avenue Park in Los Angeles is alienating the filming industries. While most parks in Los Angeles County charge location fees of around USD450 a day, Grand Avenue Park costs are currently set closer to USD20,000.
Keanu Reeves’ upcoming historic samurai feature 47 Ronin has filmed on location on the Isle of Skye in western Scotland. The region doubled for Japan and shooting focussed on aerial shots of samurai on horseback.
A new film tourism campaign from VisitBritain is using the James Bond thriller Skyfall as a hook. It’s an obvious opportunity given that 2012 marks the Bond franchise’s 50th anniversary and much of Skyfall was filmed in London and Scotland.