F.A.Qs

The building of film sets has to be approved by the planning directorate of the Planning Authority [PA].

For structures standing less than one month, a Development Notification Order has to be presented to PA for approval. For film sets intended for a longer period a Building Development Application has to be presented to the PA including designs of the set and other required information.

For further information please consult the following site: http://www.pa.org.mt

Malta has a number of lighting suppliers and studios that are experienced in renting lighting equipment to audio-visual productions and have a broad product list, including an extensive generator supply. Certain specific lighting gears may not be available in Malta and would have to be shipped from overseas.

A number of cranes varying in dimensions are available for rent from service providers based on the island with the additional option of larger cranes such as the Techno Crane 50 as well as more specialised equipment such as The Scorpio Arm being readily available to be shipped down by the same local providers within a 48hr period. Dollies and other key grip equipment are directly available for rent from Maltese warehouses. The island also offers a number of key grip/sparks/gaffers with a great deal of experience. Specialised crew members can be provided both with the equipment as well to supplement the various departments in terms of crew members. Hyrdoflex and scubacam underwater equipment packages to support shoots making use of the island’s water tank facilities are also available with a number of water-related setups.

16mm and 35mm cameras, Steadicam, Grip equipment, Arri Alexa and Red Camera packages are available for rental in Malta, as is various under-water filming equipment. Daily flights from Italy, the UK and Germany make it easy to hire any further equipment from service providers in these countries accustomed to renting equipment to companies shooting in Malta. Various local audiovisual production companies and television broadcasters provide the rental of HD and BETA TM cameras, video assist equipment and other camera and audio ancillary equipment.

Post-production rebates has now been made eligible with a €150,000 cap per project.

Facilities for post-production in Malta are taking ground with a few post houses and broadcasters providing some services for broadcasting, film and corporate sectors. Such systems available deliver powerful and precise tools that work with virtually any format and assure an intuitive integration with all other applications that are considered as industry standard tools.

EDITING
With post-production houses on the rise, Malta is able to provide offline and online editing facilities to production companies looking to complete their productions. Be it Dailies/Rough cuts or Full production, over the past years, Maltese companies have invested in various NLE (Non-Linear Editing) systems to accommodate any creative or technical need imaginable. Furthermore, through the use of colour correcting and VFX tools and the addition of music and sound studios on the island, Malta can offer a whole package.

ADR FACILITIES
Excellent ADR facilities in Malta have proved to be very useful to film companies hiring actors still engaged in the post-production of their previous works. Companies in Malta have done dialogue replacement work for Russell Crow [The Insider], Jonathan Rhys Davies [Lord of the Rings – The Two Towers] and Harvey Keitel [Holy Smoke] respectively.

VISUAL EFFECTS
Several specialised Visual Effects companies are available to offer their services in Malta to Production Companies along with many highly skilled professionals who can be recruited onto productions. The growth in VFX in film productions has sparked an increase in the facilities offered here in Malta. These facilities allow film companies to bring expensive concepts to the screen within an affordable budget and provide the necessary expertise and knowledge to ensure that the Directors creative vision is easily achieved.

Several transport companies in Malta are experienced in providing all the transportation required for a shoot, and a number of renowned Maltese caterers are also very accustomed to servicing film productions. Star trailers, two and three-way trailers, honey wagons, wardrobe and makeup trucks, mobile offices and other film specific facility vehicles, as well as extensive construction plant machinery, are also available to rent from Malta.  Production office space, warehouse and factory spaces are generally hired from the Malta Industrial Parks or from private companies.

The Malta Film Commission can provide props to help you create the on-screen image you are aiming for. Our props range from large carts and market stalls to smaller items such as cutlery and silverware. We specialise in period props to fit the Roman era but we also hold a vast amount of materials and furniture which could suit a film set in any time.