'Captured in Abu Dhabi' shows the power of UAE culture

In line with global trends, the UAE’s cultural and creative industries are becoming important drivers of the country’s growth. Worldwide he generates $2.25 trillion and about 30 million jobs The creative economy accounts for his 3% of global GDP. The creative sector promotes employment and plays an important role in entrepreneurship, innovation and social development.

Leveraging the global potential of the creative industry, Abu Dhabi’s existing media landscape has produced many success stories such as the Abu Dhabi Film Commission and twofour54 Abu Dhabi. But that’s not all. The potential of the creative economy in visual storytelling is powerful. Unlocking the potential of the cultural and creative industries also means meeting the ever-changing demands of audiences around the world, leveraging new technologies that disrupt the field.

A mature film and television sector not only increases tourism but also helps promote the city’s image abroad. In this case, the image of Abu Dhabi is promoted abroad if the content is shot directly in Abu Dhabi or funded by Abu Dhabi.

I’ve already seen big-ticket movies like those starring Tom Cruise mission impossible 4 It features the Liwa Desert and the Midfield Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport. In previous films, Cruise climbed Dubai’s Burj her Khalifa.

Tom Cruise famously performed his own stunts at Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in the fourth installment of the Mission Impossible franchise, but he is currently filming his stunts for the sixth installment in Abu Dhabi. May be AP

Tom Cruise in the Liwa Desert

Hollywood wasn’t the only one to shoot serials in the United Arab Emirates. Production companies from neighboring countries have shot in his UAE, including India’s Bollywood and much of India’s regional film industry. It is also a go-to location for the Middle East film industry. Egyptian film, Lebanese and Tunisian producers have brought film crews to the UAE to film some of the films and TV series that will air on the OTT platform.

Given the UAE’s existing popularity as a filming location, there are at least three ways the UAE’s creative sector can take better advantage of new technology.

First, through facilities and infrastructure. Abu Dhabi could consider studios as its next big opportunity to build a more diverse portfolio of content. It also allows us to further increase the availability of our post-production services.

Second, attracting and retaining the talent to work, live and thrive in Abu Dhabi should be a key growth sector.

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As the UAE economy continues to diversify, the capital’s status as a prime location for film and television production will continue to grow, especially given Abu Dhabi’s reputation for being easy to do business with and obtain the necessary permits. can be improved by offering infrastructure incentives to To this end, studios across Abu Dhabi can play an important supporting role.

As the global film and television industry grows and Abu Dhabi attracts more and more film crews, it becomes even more important to invest in the local creative economy through the development of media-related businesses that feed the ecosystem. increase. Examples: local costume creation of his house, post-production facilities, location sound services, location reconnaissance services, etc.

These related businesses play a role in every production unit. For example, New Zealand hires crew and equipment to shoot movies. Hobbit The trilogy added $261 million to the economy over three years and brought significant additions to tourism. Capturing a destination’s attractions on film ensures a steady stream of visitors and tourists for decades to come.

Closer to home in Dubai, film industry professionals build relationships and interact with more than 180 production studios with 6,000 media production units filmed in the emirate over the last 16 years.

Industry growth is important for local producers and directors who benefit from low-cost distribution. This is why we see content from regional producers like MBC competing with bigger studios on platforms like Netflix, Prime and Disney+.

Such production budgets have skyrocketed, with organizations such as MBC, which recently established MBC Studios to produce content, allocating large sums of money to projects and producing in multiple locations such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey. are shooting at the same time. in England.

Increased local income, temporary employment, and increased use of local services (such as using city transit and local shopping) benefit cities where films are shot. A development strategy can further identify and then expand local support services needed by the industry.

To underscore the importance of the film business, Abu Dhabi’s creative community could strengthen the advantages of filming in the region and introduce the film industry to the beauty, diversity and simplicity of filming in the city. increase.

In addition to strengthening local businesses, it also increases exposure which may encourage other industries such as tourism to invest in local development. It has the potential to be a source of potentially rich tourism opportunities.

With Abu Dhabi poised to become an important center for film production, film and television are embarking on a broader strategy focused on finding the right funding and incentives, training new talent and building the necessary infrastructure. should be considered part.

In addition to the financial rewards, the cultural and creative industries are viral. The reputation of the city is thus enhanced, and this non-monetary value contributes significantly to the realization of people-centred and inclusive development that benefits the country in the long run.

Published: Sep 7, 2022, 4:16 AM