Don Productions News

The Metro is gaining attention as the newest shoot location in Dubai.  Station designs are very different to the familiar styles of New York, London or Paris due to the audacious use of colour, and as the metro system opened very recently, the interiors remain pristine.  One particular station, based on the theme of “water” with eye-catching drop-shaped chandeliers, gives the impression of being in a luxury hotel.  When trains are not running, the Metro is used as a shoot location.We have posted stills of Dubai Metro on our locations site, so please take the opportunity to see them.

→Donproductions Location Spot Gallery

Even within directors’ agency Cream, with whom DON Productions has formed a partnership, Argentinian director and graphic designer Sebastian Lopez emerges as an incredibly edgy talent.

Taking an experimental approach to shooting commercials, promos and full-length features, Sebastian’s work is distinctive and intriguing.  A man of many talents, while he directs commercials for Motorola, Bacardi, Coca-Cola, Honda and many more, Sebastian also owns a design firm in his native Buenos Aires.  Argentina’s film world is experiencing incredible change, and Sebastian’s avant-garde style definitely makes him one to watch.  Sebastian Lopez’s work can be seen on the Cream website below.

→ Cream official site

The “Pocari Sweat” commercial (desert edition) currently being airedSummer was just beginning when we coordinated the aerial and desert shoots in Dubai for the latest Pocari Sweat commercial, starring Takeshi Kitano.  Though temperatures in the desert were close to 40 degrees Celsius, the shoot went smoothly.

These towers soar into the sky above the Thames Estuary, around 1 ½ hours’ drive east of London.  Built during World War Two to repel attacks from German fighter jets, the seven towers contain living spaces, kitchens and bedrooms which allowed soldiers to be based there for long periods. Boats from the nearby harbour are often used for shoots, and equipment can also be brought from London by helicopter.  These immense, robot-like structures can be seen in a recent video by techno-rock band The Prodigy.  For details about Maunsell Forts, please see the link below.

→ Maunsell Towers Official Website

→Maunsell Forts Official Site

→Bamburgh castle official site

This month sees the UK cinema release of “Robin Hood” (to be released in Japan in the autumn).  Director Ridley Scott and lead actor Russell Crowe first worked together on “Gladiator” (2000).  Most of the shooting for “Robin Hood” took place in north-west England, an area with an atmospheric, medieval feel.  There are still many ancient castles in the UK, often available even for large-scale shoots.

Ridley Scott is said to have been inspired by Alnwick Castle and Bamburgh Castle, both in north-east England.  For more details, please see the links below.

→ Alnwick Castle Official Site

→Bamburgh Castle Official Sit