Interested in shooting in Slovakia?
In case you are searching for film production company in Slovakia, we are the right people to be contacted. Check below to get yourself acquainted with Slovakia’s locations, location permits, crews, talent, studios, art departments, equipment, post facilities, film friendly accommodation and transport, visas and work permits, communication and safety advice, costs etc.
Film Locations
Besides being a part of Little Hungarian Plain, this central European country is traversed by Carpathians Mountains and so it’s mainly a mountainous ( mt. Gerlach 2558 m) and hilly place with abundance of rivers, creeks, mineral springs and lakes in the mountains and bellow them. Caves are not rare, sheep grazing pastures, deep and almost scary forests in a deciduous and coniferous style, gorges, magical clearances, colourful meadows, together with valleys and traditional villages, would create an amazing place for shooting even low-cost alpine-like sceneries if wished (e.g.The High and Low Tatras mountain region). Check for updated snow condition forecast.
Slovakia is undoubtedly widely-recognized mainly for its castles, fortresses or old mansions, in both well-kept and ruined conditions. There are all together about 700 of them, and not only Spis castle – one of the vastest white medieval castles in Europe, Trencin castle, fairy-tale-like castle in Bojnice or Orava castle from Murnau’s Nosferatu the Vampire are worth mentioning. Slovakia’s wooden churches, old people still faithful to folklore outfit, traditional shepherds and also unique gypsy’s villages could create the ambience you look for.
Slovakia’s agriculture, with its fields of wheat, rye, corn and beautiful bright-yellow-flowering mass of rapeseed stretching all over the plains, together with lowlands or vineyards in the southern part of the country, creates indisputable part of the atmosphere.
Automotive industry, steal or chemical factory complexes, hydro and nuclear plants, damns, rich mining history, military training areas, several small airports and abandoned urban objects such as hospitals, factories, agro-cooperatives estates, tunnels or underground structures, could as well be worth a shot.
Charming historical towns like Banska Stiavnica, Levoca, Kezmarok or Bardejov, go hand in hand with a grey and cold eastern-bloc architecture in other towns. Moreover, socialist realism in art and sculptures, as well as functionalism in architecture, are in abundance. On the other side, blend of futuristic modern look (famous UFO tower on the bridge) and historic old centre alike anywhere in Europe, sprawls on the bank of the river Danube in a not-the-largest European capital city, Bratislava.
Bratislava and Kosice, as the main film production centres, where it basically needs to be travelled from, are both, being on the opposite sides of Slovakia, not far from the borders. Bratislava is about 60km from Vienna and so filming in Vienna through Bratislava could be a cost efficient option. For instance, a Slovak gaffer costs around 150 Euros a day, whereas for the Austrian one you end up paying around 500 Euros. Altogether, it is possible to save up to 60%on the overall cost. Bratislava is also close to Hungarian borders and Moravian part of the Czech Republic famous for its vineyards and wine cellars in a very much folklore and traditional style. Likewise Kosice are only about 100 km from Ukrainian and 30 km from Hungarian borders.
Slovakia has already hosted films such as Nosferatu The Vampire (1979), Dragonheart (1996), The Peacemaker (1997), Behind Enemy Lines (2001) or both Hostel sequels (2005, 2007).
Slovakia Film location permits
To acquire a permit to majority of locations takes normally around two days, downtown locations about a week. Furthermore, Slovakia puts forth locations that are generally unavailable or problematic to access, such as blocking traffic on overpasses or busy city streets. Some of permits could be urged through, e.g. national park permits needed for shooting in the High Tatras, which usually take about a week, could be in case of emergency sorted out in two, three days. Feel free to contact us for detailed information regarding specific locations.
When to shoot?/ the best time to shoot
Slovakia is a four-season climatic country.
Warm summers can get really hot and dry. Nevertheless, climate change is responsible for occasional sort-of-monsoon rainy weeks or even flooding along riverbeds.
Autumns are full of coloured leaves and usually very mellow and pleasant in temperature. Indian summers are not exceptional and so are grey, grumpy and cold November days.
Up in the mountains, winters are white from November to April, so this would be the best time for shooting snowy mountain looks. On the other hand, you can get best sunny months from May to September. Click on weather for statistics. Check for updated snow condition forecast.
Festivals and events
As any other country, Slovakia hosts several important theatre, dance, art, classical music or film festivals and events. Those of interest could be, for instance, one of the best rated music festivals in Europe – Pohoda; numerous folklore festivals rich in presentation of traditional music, dance, lifestyle and crafts, such as Vychodna, Terchova or Hrusov (usually held during summer); the biggest international contemporary art festival Biela Noc in Bratislava and Kosice in autumn; sport events that include not only passion for hockey and football, but as well any snow-sport-related events such as Sledge Dog World Championships Sprint or free-ride competition Jasna Adrenalin. Last but not least, Slovak International Air days in Sliac in August or several food festivals around Slovakia would be worth mentioning too.
Traditional fairs, markets and public entertainment take place before every major holiday like Christmas or Easter, and because public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs of filming.
Costs, Fringes, Premiums, Tax incentives
The Slovakian currency is Euro. Shooting in Slovakia gets significantly cheaper than in western Europe, but still a bit more expensive than in Ukraine or other eastern European countries. Interesting could be taking advantage of filming Vienna through Bratislava, which might save you significant amount on expenses (up to 60%).
To negotiate the best local deals that match your required production level and its budget, we will provide our service producer or fixer.
Fringes
As crew members are freelancers, there are no hidden extras.
Premiums
Slovakian film crews work 12 hours a day, 6days a week, without deducting an hour for lunch, which gives you 11 hours of filming per day, 72 hours a week. The seventh day is paid double, but no other premiums apply.
Talent
Slovakia has got numerous casting agencies, is non-union and buyouts are negotiable. 80% of Slovakia are Slovaks, then Hungarians, Czechs, Ukrainians and Gypsies. There are also different looks among minorities (Arabian, African, Asian), but it could be difficult to reach the right talent. Regarding Slovakia’s close proximity to basically any of European production centres, it may be wiser and very easy to cast for those abroad.
Crews, studios, art departments and construction, post production
Slovakia has its own film production and distribution companies, television and film studios. The crews are non-union, not only the key members of team are fluent in English and have intensive international production experience. Furthermore, working in this central European country, allows you an easy access to other technical, creative and production units in Europe.
One of the main reasons why to shoot in Slovakia would definitely be its art departments as well as construction as these are of excellent quality and very well-renowned.
As for processing and anything related to post production, there are several possibilities, but nearby Vienna or Prague should do the best.
We are here to get you the best people along with matching the budget of production. Looking for locally based director, DOP, photographer, camera assistant, sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew for your shoot in Slovakia? Feel free to contact us!
Equipment
If you want to bring in your own gear, Slovakia is an ATA carnet country. However, we are able to reach any of required filming equipment. Slovakia has a very decent supply of cameras, grip and lighting equipment in hand. In case of emergency, there are also well stocked film centres in Prague, Budapest or Vienna.
Visas and Work Permits
Slovakia is a member of the European Union and therefore there are only few countries that require visa. Work permits are not needed. For more information contact us or your local Slovak embassy.
Transportation Infrastructure
Bratislava airport is easily reachable from many airports all around Europe. Vienna’s airport is only about 30 minutes drive from Bratislava and Budapest or Prague would, if there is no other option, do too. There are airports in Poprad (mountain area) and Kosice (eastern Slovakia) that are covered by one or two airlines and several little airports to which special jets could be arranged.
As for road and railway infrastructure, world standards are to be expected.
Accommodation
We can arrange any type of accommodation tailored your needs. Hostels, B&B, Hotels, luxurious apartments, flats to be rented…it all meets European standards. Corporate rates are possible to be negotiated, serviced apartments for longer stays can also be provided.
Communication
Any type of mobile and internet communication is available-high standard.
Web posted casting, scouting, videoconferencing…
Safety
Slovakia is one of the safest European countries, it belongs among reliable filming centres.
Projects
Whatever and whenever needed, there’s a permit for it.
Made up your mind and the outcome sounds: ’ We’re shooting in Slovakia! ’..??? Any specific vision or ideal location you might have on your mind, please feel free to contact us. In the shortest time possible, we will send you a list of possibly suitable locations and bids. Do not hesitate to ask for a more detailed photo-documentation of a particular location. On demand we are able to provide on-the-ground or aerial video-footages along with additional information regarding the light’s specifics or geographical orientation.