Czech Republic: Facilities a big draw

The technical standards and talent at Czech facilities have been a big draw in Central Europe for decades, and major upgrades can usually be found in better integration of production with vfx and post facilities, and the additional soundstages.

Barrandov Studios, with its 40-acre backlot, including water tanks, and 11 soundstages — three with 45-foot-high ceilings and its newest with 40,000 sq.-ft. of space — is still the biggest facility. But it’s the set construction, as used heavily for the “Borgia” series, “Red Tails” and “Mission: Impossible” installments, that get the buzz.

The country also offers 20% rebate on qualifying Czech spend and 10% on qualifying internatinal spend.

Post & vfx

Post houses in Prague are, if anything, busier than the studios, with vfx and 3D via leaders such as UPP (“The Pillars of the Earth,” “Red Tails” and a digital restoration of Czech cultural treasure “Marketa Lazarova”) and sound design from SoundSquare showing off impressive digital talents on projects for international producers.

Tobogang’s graphic work on “Alois Nebel” helped the film win kudos abroad, while post houses such as Avion have enhanced award winners such as “Gypsy” and “Solar Eclipse.”