ABU DHABI
Abu Dhabi is the mother city of the United Arab Emirates. It is colloquially described as the older sister whilst Dubai is the flashy sister. Both cities form part of seven emirates and the country is an elective monarchy with Islam as the main religion. Abu Dhabi is regarded as one of the very safest cities in the world and also an advanced one at that.
TAX
There is 5% VAT that can be refunded in most circumstances and therefore does not become a cost to production.
INCENTIVES
Productions can receive a 30% cash rebate on most expenses. Above the line personnel including actors are not eligible (the line producer however is), as well as capital goods purchased are also not eligible. Foreign crew brought in because of the absence of locals can be made eligible provided they are approved in advance with a working visa. All local crew and suppliers must be registered with Twofour54, the Abu Dhabi media body, in order to become eligible for the rebate. This means expats living in the UAE must have their freelance visa issued by Twofour54 in order to be eligible. Many are already doing this, even if they are based in Dubai.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Much of the film infrastructure like equipment houses and sound stages currently exist in Dubai since this city has a long reputation in the advertising production industry and in other media sectors. However there is a strong drive by Abu Dhabi to build sound stages, which in fact have already begun. A man-made island called Yas Island has been built as the city's intended media and entertainment hub.
CREW
Unfortunately the availability of crews can be an issue on large productions and there is only so much crew that can be 'borrowed' from the advertising industry, most of which are coming from Dubai. The authorities in Abu Dhabi are aware of this issue and are providing various training schemes with solid goals to order improve the crew pool in the country over the long term.
CENSORSHIP
It is true that all scripts need to be approved before filming permits are provided. However the country is very rational in its assessments and, provided stories do not go against the religious values or portray the country in an unfair manner, you shouldn't have any problem with approvals. The UAE is arguably becoming one of the most open minded countries in the Middle East and it is a melting pot of various cultures and religions.
LOCATIONS
Such movies as Dune, Furious 7, Star Wars - The Force Awakens have all shot in Abu Dhabi. Of course the desert is the main attraction but there are various other exotic locations too. As James Wan, director of Furious 7, said "The locations in Abu Dhabi are amazing. It adds a lot of production value to the film and makes it really exotic. We want to strike a balance with both the opulence in this part of the world as well as what is more traditional and cultural just to get a bit of that flavour into the film. It’s a bit different to what the Fast and Furious fans have seen before so there is a natural evolution in the series."
PROS AND CONS TO SHOOTING IN ABU DHABI
PROS
An average of over 11 hours of daylight per day. At least 8 hours a day of sunlight;
The government is very focused on growing the industry in terms of infrastructure and crews. There is great support from the film commission;
Financial incentives are reliable;
Amazing locations if you are looking for desert lands and the Middle Eastern look;
A very safe city;
The weather between November and April is like late spring or early autumn in the south of Europe;
Very well connected internationally with direct flights either to Dubai or Abu Dhabi (the two cities are 90 minutes away from each other by car);
CONS
Not a cheap city in terms of salaries and location fees. However groceries, hotels and car rentals are similar to Europe's averages;
Lack of crews depending on the scale of the shoot and how busy the industry is at the time;
Sound stages still being built;
The weather between May and October is very hot and can be quite unbearable outdoors in July and August (However, aircon works very well in all interiors);
TAX
There is 5% VAT that can be refunded in most circumstances and therefore does not become a cost to production.
INCENTIVES
Productions can receive a 30% cash rebate on most expenses. Above the line personnel including actors are not eligible (the line producer however is), as well as capital goods purchased are also not eligible. Foreign crew brought in because of the absence of locals can be made eligible provided they are approved in advance with a working visa. All local crew and suppliers must be registered with Twofour54, the Abu Dhabi media body, in order to become eligible for the rebate. This means expats living in the UAE must have their freelance visa issued by Twofour54 in order to be eligible. Many are already doing this, even if they are based in Dubai.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Much of the film infrastructure like equipment houses and sound stages currently exist in Dubai since this city has a long reputation in the advertising production industry and in other media sectors. However there is a strong drive by Abu Dhabi to build sound stages, which in fact have already begun. A man-made island called Yas Island has been built as the city's intended media and entertainment hub.
CREW
Unfortunately the availability of crews can be an issue on large productions and there is only so much crew that can be 'borrowed' from the advertising industry, most of which are coming from Dubai. The authorities in Abu Dhabi are aware of this issue and are providing various training schemes with solid goals to order improve the crew pool in the country over the long term.
CENSORSHIP
It is true that all scripts need to be approved before filming permits are provided. However the country is very rational in its assessments and, provided stories do not go against the religious values or portray the country in an unfair manner, you shouldn't have any problem with approvals. The UAE is arguably becoming one of the most open minded countries in the Middle East and it is a melting pot of various cultures and religions.
LOCATIONS
Such movies as Dune, Furious 7, Star Wars - The Force Awakens have all shot in Abu Dhabi. Of course the desert is the main attraction but there are various other exotic locations too. As James Wan, director of Furious 7, said "The locations in Abu Dhabi are amazing. It adds a lot of production value to the film and makes it really exotic. We want to strike a balance with both the opulence in this part of the world as well as what is more traditional and cultural just to get a bit of that flavour into the film. It’s a bit different to what the Fast and Furious fans have seen before so there is a natural evolution in the series."
PROS AND CONS TO SHOOTING IN ABU DHABI
PROS
An average of over 11 hours of daylight per day. At least 8 hours a day of sunlight;
The government is very focused on growing the industry in terms of infrastructure and crews. There is great support from the film commission;
Financial incentives are reliable;
Amazing locations if you are looking for desert lands and the Middle Eastern look;
A very safe city;
The weather between November and April is like late spring or early autumn in the south of Europe;
Very well connected internationally with direct flights either to Dubai or Abu Dhabi (the two cities are 90 minutes away from each other by car);
CONS
Not a cheap city in terms of salaries and location fees. However groceries, hotels and car rentals are similar to Europe's averages;
Lack of crews depending on the scale of the shoot and how busy the industry is at the time;
Sound stages still being built;
The weather between May and October is very hot and can be quite unbearable outdoors in July and August (However, aircon works very well in all interiors);
