Abu Dhabi content in focus
October 7, 2015
Colin Mann @ MIPCOM
Abu Dhabi’s growing global reputation as a production and content creation hub was the focus of a MIPCOM panel, featuring media services specialist twofour54’s Paul Baker, executive director of its Film and TV Services.
Baker shared the stage with fellow Abu Dhabi content creators to shed light on Abu Dhabi’s media and entertainment evolution, including Nathalie Habib, Executive Producer at Blink Studios; Hani Kichi, Producer/Director at Blink Studios; Lama Al Awa, Production and Art Director at Cube Production; and Bassem Yousef, TV Host Surgeon at Tubestar Network.
Baker noted “a big tourism element” for Abu Dhabi in film production. “So far, from Star Wars alone, Abu Dhabi has achieved a value of $60 million in press mentions with three months ahead of the premiere. Ultimately, if we can start transferring those skills and increasing the quality of Arabic content, it will travel not just in the region but outside the region as well. There is no reason why the quality of content that is coming out of the region and the great stories told cannot travel the world.”
Since its inception twofour54 has attracted and facilitated the production of hit TV shows such as Top Gear and Bold and the Beautiful as well as Bollywood and Hollywood films such as Bang Bang, Fast and Furious 7 and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.