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Christopher Miles
Egyptian Media Production City has well equipped workshop with imaginative craftsmen, who can make practically anything you require, along with hundreds of ready-built sets on lots which stretch from old winding streets of Cairo to the grand boulevards of Alexandria with a working electric tram. You only have to look at their website to see the huge variety of areas and sets available.
For my co-producers and me they are the answer to exactly what we require in reconstructing the Egypt of the 1940's.
Also with addition of the Movenpick Hotel's high standard accommodation right in the middle of the studio compound, there is little more one can ask of a country when filming.
Christopher Miles
Writer/director
Last Pharaoh Productions Ltd
Mobile - 0044-7768336674 |
Izidore k. Musallam
"As a filmmaker who is based in Toronto and fortunate enough to work in North America and the Middle East I was very impressed with EMPC on my recent visit.
Enough impressed to sign a co-production agreement between my company Hand'n' Hand Film, Inc. and EMPC to coproduce my up-coming feature film entitled " Ali Baba& The Forty Thieves". I found Mr. Youssef Cherif Rizkallah and his team of Production experts graciously generous and knowledgeable in production to the extent the made me confident to plan a major shoot in Egypt. I trust in the next few months we will be able to start our most ambitious and exciting project based and executed at EMPC."
Izidore k. Musallam
Producer/Director
Hand 'n' Hand Film, Inc
687 Seneca Hill Dr.
Toronto, On M2j2w7
Canada
Email: izom@rogers.com
Cell: 416.418.0685 |
Lynn Fero
During my tour of the EMPC production facility, I was absolutely astounded by the size and number of superior locations and soundstages.
It is significantly larger than the lot at Paramount Studios and is certainly on par with Universal Studios. In the course of a 90 minute tour I saw all the sites of Egypt, ancient and modern, urban and rural. And not only Egypt but the terrain and environment of any Middle Eastern or desert locale could easily be staged in the comfort of this
state-of-the-art studio complex.
In addition the staff and services offered are efficient and eager to be sure your production experience is more than satisfactory and the very capable staff is there to take on your problems and solve them from bringing your cast and ensuring excellent accommodations the exemplary five star hotel immediately next to the studio to resolving issues pertaining to government jurisdiction or taxation of equipment brought into the country. And with a film school located on the premises the hiring of trained support staff is possible. I heartily recommend that any company looking to shoot in Africa or the Middle East, consider EMPC for its excellent staff, studio and facility.
Lynn Fero,
Former Vice President Paramount Pictures Corporation;
Currently Vice President, CBS Television Distribution
310-264-3427 (direct dial)
lynn.fero@cbs.com
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John Heyman
"The facilities at EMPC are the best in the region. The Studios are beautiful, the workshops are first rate and the back lot has enormous potential"
American producer
John Heyman,
World Film Group,
150 E 58th Street, 29th Floor
New York
NY 10155
212 632 3456
JohnHeyman@aol.com |
Roy Anderson
“The outdoor shooting areas at EMPC were ideal for our feature film production “The Junior Olsen Gang and The Black Gold”.
Since we were producing a period film from the 1960s, it was vital to be able to film in “Old Cairo Streets”,
in a controlled environment. The local crew were friendly, hardworking and adapted well with our Norwegian crew.
The various locations available at EMPC are highly suitable for any TV or Film production to be shot in Egypt.
I would like to thank the EMPC’s International Cooperation Office for their valuable assistance.
They did all in their power to make us happy. I would work at EMPC again if the possibility should give itself in the future”.
Nordisk Film AS
Roy Anderson,
Norwegian producer
Norway
Tel +47 21 54 47 00
Mobile +47 90 86 68 60
Website: www.nordiskfilm.com
roy.anderson@nordiskfilm.com |
Matt Cimber
I have produced films in over 12 countries and never have been treated in a more respectful and friendly way than in Egypt....the technical and physical facilities at the EMPC are fantastic and the costs can not be matched.....
Matt Cimber,
American director &EM Discoveries producer
Mobile: +1 323 4970189
Mateocimber@aol.com |
Alan Mehrez
In my capacity as a Producer/Director and Head of Production I have filmed at many Studios through out the World in such locations as Mexico, Bulgaria, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Jordan and even Egypt.
I was recently in the process of searching for a Studio Facility to film my next Picture which I will Produce and Direct. I heard a great deal about Egyptian Media Production City (EMPC) and paid it a visit. I was very impressed with the facility and the Individuals running the Studio. I was impressed with the number of Quality Sound Stages at the facility for they were some of the nicest I have seen and they are very comparable to what we are used to in the United States. Furthermore, the Back lot has a variety of different locations and looks along with on-set office locations.
When shooting abroad it is always a concern to work in a "unfamiliar" environment...what EMPC has to offer is making the "unfamiliar" welcoming and willing not only to assist you with your project...but to complete it at the Highest Production Value that you can't beat anywhere! Thank you EMPC we look forward to working with you on more future projects!
American director &Alan Mehrez, producer
+1-716 626 3580
alanmehrez@yahoo.com |
Jeffrey Taylor
Having shot films in the UK, USA and a number of countries in Western Europe we found that EMPC were able to match the standards found in all of these territories and the same could be said of the local crew, transport facilities and hotels.
More film people from around the globe should be taking advantage of EMPC facilities, the spectacular locations and the friendliest people I have had the pleasure of working with.
Jeffrey Taylor
British producer
STAGESCREEN PRODUCTIONS
Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 207 481 4810
Mob: +44 (0) 7946 414 981
Website: www.stagescreenproductions.com
info@StagescreenProductions.com |
Ilt Jones
I have toured similar places in several different countries & I'm pleased to say that EMPC stands right up there among the best of them. The range of facilities at EMPC offers film makers a remarkably diverse range of options - One-Stop Shopping as the saying goes. The stages and equipment are clearly first class & the craftsmanship evident in the construction of the back lot sets is remarkable. For example, the Islamic Cairo set is a wonderful facsimile of the real thing & provides the opportunity to capture the magic of Cairo without having to deal with the logistical & financial problems which would be encountered on the actual streets.
In addition, the relationship that EMPC has with the nearby Movenpick Hotel is very useful given the size of Cairo and its traffic congestion.
Ilt Jones,
Location Manager
"Transformers 2",
Cell: 310-739 2685
ILLTYD@aol.com |
Philippe Durand
My partners and I are making American and European feature films. After meeting Mr. Youssef Cherif Rizkallah at the 2007 Cannes Festival, we responded to his invitation to do some location scouting in Egypt and to visit the studios EMPC, for a potential filming in Egypt of the feature film with an international cast, The Innocent Love of a Butterfly.
I went to Egypt with my associate producer and took a lot of pictures, filmed some of the areas, met with executives and talked to crew members there.
When we came back to LA, I showed the pictures and videos to my partners and talked about the experiences that met association producer and I have had in Egypt.
They all were impressed by the facilities offered to production companies by the EMPC studios.
My association producer and I were pleased by the visit of the studios EMPC and by the warmth and the organization skills of its representants. Mr. Youssef Cherif Rizkallah's competence and willingness to make our trip efficient were an important factor to the success of our trip.
The post-production facilities and other equipments are fine and efficient enough to ensure a good post-production work if necessary.
The indoors and outdoors locations are gorgeous and can play a major role in the production value of a film.
I would encourage any serious production company around the world to come to Egypt for filming.
I talked to American producers who had a good experience in Egypt and to others who didn’t film yet in Egypt but who are willing to go there in the future for their production.
My partners and I will do everything we can to encourage this spirit of filming in Egypt and of collaborating with the EMPC studios, as long as we will keep sensing a real will from the EMPC studios and its representants to work with international producers and artists. By giving foreign companies the possibilities to film their movie in Egypt in the best conditions and with all the help that the studios can give, the studios will increase the interest of a lot of production companies in the US and in
Other countries around the world to work on Egypt .By doing so, EMPC will be rewarded with a worldwide publicity and an economical boost.
I truly believe that thanks to Mr. Youssef Cherif Rizkallah and other representatives of EMPC, more filming will occur in Egypt. A reel effort from the studios to welcome a foreign production can transcend the business relationship between the US producers, as well as other international producers and filmmakers, and the EMPC studios.
Feel free ton contact my partners or I, if necessary, for further information about our trip to Egypt and our visit to the EMPC studios.
Philippe Durand
Actor/writer/director/producer
Principal
Azur Dolphin Productions LLC,
Nice- Paris- Los Angeles
Tel: 310 614 8898
azurdolphin1@gmail.com |
Sheena Macbrayne
Since my first visit to the Egyptian Media Production City in March 2001, I have watched it grow into the finest production facility in the Middle East. Egypt has many great locations and it is a joy to have the back-up of a state-of-the-art studio to facilitate the production and paperwork here. Not only are the staff kind and courteous, they are professional and deeply committed to the process of film-making. More importantly, the rates are extremely competitive. There is an enormous back lot with clear stretches of road for action sequences/car chases and a wealth of existing sets which really help to keep construction costs down. The vast store of props, vac-forming, wardrobe, engineering and ‘chippie’ facilities make it the ideal location for any drama. The close proximity of the five-star Movenpick to the studio ensures that travelling times are kept to a minimum. Editing and archive rates are very competitive too.
We are currently preparing to shoot a feature film in 2008/2009 and have no concerns whatsoever over security for our foreign cast and crew. We know that they will find the studio as modern and comfortable as any in the world. I have no hesitation in recommending the Egyptian Media Production City as the number 1 location for planning and shooting your film in the Middle East.
Sheena Macbrayne
British director & producer
Tel: 44 798 1231747
exodusscrolls@hotmail.co.uk |
Deniz Sasmaz
We were very surprised when we saw EMPC for the first time. EMPC is a huge complex in which you can find what you want especially when you are looking for sets and locations. We will be glad to go back there and shoot our next Project.
Deniz Sasmaz
Focus Film Turkey
Tel: 90 (0) 212 282 83 29
dsasmaz@rfilm.net |
Lili Sunawati
According to me, EMPC it is a great studio which we never imagine available in south East Asia, everybody always refers to Universal Studios or another studio in USA. If we need any location in Egypt we prefer to have it in EMPC, more flexible and efficient to arrange a production.
Lili Sunawati
Indonesian producer
+ (62) 811 904853
lili@sinemart.com |
John Grooter
We’ve just completed a great day of shooting with the cast and crew from Egypt Media Production City. The sets looked fantastic, and the whole team was most helpful and cooperative.
Everything was ready to go when we arrived, including horses, chariots, actors, props, make-up and hair.
It was a privilege and an honour to work with your team! Our pictures look fantastic
John Grooter American director |
Angelo Venetis
I had the opportunity to visit EMPC facilities for one of the projects that I was working on. Coincidently I came straight from a big Hollywood studio so my thoughts were somewhat pessimistic. I was so impressed from the Hollywood studios that I thought the EMPC would at least look non-impressive. I was wrong right from the start!
When we first met with Youssef Cherif Rizkallah and his team in our hotel, they all gave me a very good "first impression" talking about our project, film business and production. It was obvious that they all knew their business very well. They arranged to take us for a tour in the studios the very next day.
"Unbelievable" is the first word that comes to mouth when you see the studios. The sound stages are very well equipped and in great conditions. They are as good as the ones I recently saw in the U.S.A, but newer! As for the outdoor shooting areas, again a great job. You get 15 different areas of façades that give you great opportunities to shoot. From old Alexandria replica area, to rural and even costal area with a huge artificial lake and sandy beaches.
I would definitely advise anyone in our business to at least visit EMPC and get a closer view of something that words cannot describe adequately.
Angelo Venetis,
Greek Producer Booproductions
website: booproductions.gr
lou@booproductions.gr |