The reason Star Wars Episode 7 is Filming in Abu Dhabi
Tatooine is moving as filming is confirmed to begin in Abu Dhabi. Why did they choose to film this already established film location in a new place?
When Star Wars Episode 7 comes out on that hopefully not to cold December day in 2015, the Planet of Tatooine will be re-created in a very different way. It won’t be a different look or feel and we most likely won't even be abel to tell but it will be an entirely different filming location and country than the previous 6 films. Star Episode 7 has officially begun production in Abu Dhabi, the location that Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy called "an incredible place to commence the Star Wars journey." Why did Disney select Abu Dhabi as opposed to say returning to Tunisia? Which is where all the other Star Wars productions filmed their Tatooine scenes.
Variety had an exclusive article about this today, in which the main reason behind the selection of Abu Dhabi is reveled to be the rebates and incentives. Paul Baker, exec director of twofour54 intaj, the commercial arm of the Media Zone Authority said, “There’s a wide number of reasons why ‘Star Wars’ chose to shoot in Abu Dhabi. Obviously, straight off the bat, you’ve got to get the creative right,” said Baker, who was the previously exec VP of Pinewood USA. “We have a great selection of locations that appeal to those guys. Then, there is everything else that falls into place: production infrastructure, crew, equipment suppliers, and obviously a big one in the rebate.”
The rebate for filming in Abu Dhabi is the 30% off the production rebate they are offering- that’s off the entire cost of whatever is produced there. Other locations in and around the United States have been offering a 30% rebate on taxes. Which is nothing compared to what they are offering in Abu Dhabi. “We really started ramping up last year,” Baker said. “We wanted to create a production environment that was of international standards. So a producer can say: ‘If I spend $1 million on the ground in Abu Dhabi, I am going to get $300,000 back.’ So we launched the rebate, and I think that’s had a big impact on the decision-making process now, because producers are able to see what they can spend in Abu Dhabi and work out immediately what they are going to get back.”
One of the more amazing benefits of the deal with Abu Dhabi is that airline flights even counted, meaning that importing props and talent for production were also able to be included in the discounted rates. So why are such great incentives being offered in Abu Dhabi? How do they benefit? One word- Tourism. “A recent report by a firm of consultants found that for every $1 delivered to a production in rebate, $4.50 is injected into the local economy. Another benefit that attracting a pic like Star Wars delivers to Abu Dhabi is the boost to tourism and the impact on brand Abu Dhabi, The Lord of the Rings franchise resulted in a 40% increase in tourism to New Zealand, for example.”
I understand and can see that this is a mutually beneficial agreement for both parties. Star Wars has a pretty intense fan base and I can imagine people will want make the trip to Abu Dhabi as the force will be strong there. What do you think?
KevMerica
Star Wars: Episode VII arrives in theaters on December 18, 2015. The film stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker. JJ Abrams will direct from a script he co-wrote with Lawrence Kasdan
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