Location Spotlight: Saudi Arabia

Image: AlUla Maraya

The Talkies is a leading production house in the MENA region and part of the GPN Network, providing high-end services on a local, regional and global scale with offices in Riyadh, Dubai, Beirut, Cairo and Casablanca.

Jay Nehme

LBB> How would you pitch Saudi Arabia to any production companies looking to shoot in your region?

Jay> KSA, through the 2030 vision has put production and entertainment amongst its top priorities. The past two years have witnessed a huge increase of shoots in KSA, thanks to the recent modernisation policies and cultural transformation.

Gone are the days whereby Saudi clients will shoot in Beirut, Dubai and Cairo. Now it’s all happening in KSA. And if you add to it Neom, the soon-to-be Hollywood of the Middle East, KSA is surely in the right direction to be the main production hub of the MENA region, attracting more and more talents and elevating its capabilities.

LBB> What are the main qualities of your region?

Jay> Great weather for most of the year, amazing locations that I can almost call virgin as all the hype for shooting in KSA is recent. Some of the main qualities also include: Top hospitability, latest equipment, qualified crew as well as great connectivity and technology.

Above all is the state’s willingness to develop and expand the industry by investing in infrastructure and facilitating all production needs.  

A 150Millions $ feature film has already been shot there (Desert Warrior).

LBB> What would you say are the top locations in Saudi Arabia? What is available - from mountains, to beaches, to rocky shore, to architecture, etc. Include plants and wildlife and demographics.

Jay> KSA is a huge open air studio where everything can be found: Desert, to modern (the new King Abdullah Economic City, King Abdullah Financial District ), old town, beaches underwater corals (red sea), mountains, architecture (from old Jeddah to the modern Riyadh).

In addition, AlUla and Neom are key to Saudi’s location strategy:

• Neom is a new futuristic and sustainable city being built in Tabuk province establishing a new centre for the region’s media and creative industries. It comprises the country’s largest sound stages and film production support facilities, having supported some 25 productions over the course of the last 18 months. And is offering an industry-leading 40%+ production incentive scheme for feature films, non-scripted and scripted TV, and commercials.

• AlUla, located in the Northwest is home to deserts, mountains, oasis and ancient cities such as Hegra (Unesco world heritage site). The upcoming film ‘Kandahar’ produced by Gerard Butler was notably shot there. ‘Film AlUla' provides a package of services to attract international filmmakers including a 40% cash rebate.

Add to that Bajdah Desert Studios (3000 sq. meter), and The Boulevard Riyadh City (a place of entertainment and social interaction resembling Time Square in NY)

LBB> Explain the climate and the best/worst times to shoot in Saudi Arabia?

Jay> We can shoot there every day as it’s always sunny and rains very rarely. Of course, summertime it gets very hot but the industry adapted and seeing productions in June/July/August is becoming more and more common. Ideal season for outdoors is from October to April.

LBB> What are some of your latest productions in the country? 

Jay> When it comes to entertainment we recently shot an exciting docu-series across the whole country that we cannot yet reveal, it will be released on a major platform very soon. We’re also developing a number of Saudi feature films and TV series with renowned local and regional talents.

On the advertising side, we’ve been shooting multiple TVCs each month including:

A two world cup campaigns for Mobily telecom as well as Maetro Pizza.

As well as undisclosed projects for Neom including underwater shoots!

LBB> What would be your number one tip to any coming to KSA to shoot a campaign/film?

Jay> Pick a reliable servicing company with solid referrals and a good track record across the years. Like The Talkies for instance!

LBB> As an outsider, what would you say are the biggest Dos and Don’ts in the region?

Jay> Although the society in KSA is opening, women driving, no longer wearing the veil, nevertheless, it remains a conservative country. Visitors should respect the rules, avoid being dressed in a provocative way, avoid talking about religion and politics. Locals are very hospitable, always greeting, and welcoming foreigners with a smile, prompt to offer them coffee and dates.