FILMING ABROAD A RISKY BUSINESS

Risky business is more than just the name of an ’80s movie — it also reflects the moviemaking business itself. Particularly in foreign countries, casts and crews face threats from disease, terrorism, kidnap and ransom, to name a few.

To help filmmakers evaluate the risk and cost of making a movie in one location versus another, Aon/Albert G. Ruben developed a “Risks in Global Filmmaking Map.” The map, which is updated annually, helps directors measure risk around the world so that they can make better-educated filmmaking decisions.

According to Chris Palmer, director of risk control for Aon/Albert G. Ruben and author of the map, “A writer and director will have a created a vision for the storyline, and will consider a location, keeping in mind where it can be made so that it will come out the most interesting and find the most success,” he said.

“Writers and directors go location shopping based on the needs of the script,” said Brian Kingman, senior vice president of Aon/Albert G. Ruben.

To develop the risk map, Aon consults with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Central Intelligence Agency World Fact Book. The map is intended to give clients a snapshot of risks in an area they are considering. For example, it indicates by country whether avian flu is a concern, or how high kidnapping and terrorism risks are.

“We saw a spike in disease risk when there was the SARS [severe acute respiratory syndrome] outbreak in Asia and Canada,” Palmer said, noting the map helped directors understand why filming in Canada was more expensive at the time. “With the map, the clients know where to ask more questions, and it helps them make informed decisions about risk and then control the risk once they are abroad,” Palmer said.

With the map, a director may determine filming in Romania would save $6 million in production but identify what risks would be incurred by going there. “Is it still worth it if you save $5 million on production costs going to a country but you spend $5 million on security?” Palmer asked.

Topics Aon