Production Hub Czech Republic Looks to Lure More Blockbusters With New Film and TV Law

variety.com:

Christopher Vourlias When the creative team behind Prime Video’s splashy fantasy series “The Wheel of Time” began scouring the globe for locations five years ago, it ran into a problem not uncharacteristic of that period of peak TV: It was all but impossible to find a production hub that could both accommodate the show’s sprawling footprint and meet its exacting technical requirements, with studios from Atlanta to London to Budapest booked year-round.

The producers ultimately chose the Czech Republic, a country with a rich cinematic history, a competitive 20% cash rebate, skilled crews and a reputation for servicing foreign blockbusters at a fraction of Hollywood or U.K.

rates. The fact that soundstages in the capital, Prague, were also booked didn’t deter the show’s backers: They decided to build their own studio from scratch, boasting soundstages, production offices, VFX studios, a water tank and backlots where local crews are able to construct the show’s often elaborate sets.

That the series pulled off that astonishing feat is both a credit to the deep-pocketed company financing “The Wheel of Time” and the can-do spirit of the Czech Republic, which has evolved into one of Europe’s busiest and most attractive production hubs. “The craftsmanship there is really amazing, and we’re lucky to have some of the best people in the country working on the show,” says executive producer and showrunner Rafe Judkins.