Filming in Malta and MFS Services

 
Since 1964 Mediterranean Film Studios (MFS) has serviced 100s of productions from feature films, TV dramas and mini-series to commercials, music videos and events, most of them featuring action set on water. Situated near Kalkara along the eastern coast, its two large marine tanks have a clear horizon behind them, allowing directors to film in a controlled environment and creating the illusion that the on-screen characters and sets are miles out to sea.

The specialty field of MFS however does not only incorporate any kind of marine sfx shooting but also a very experienced construction crew who can build any props and/or sets according to the productions' needs and requirements.
MFS' marine sfx and construction crew is supported by its experienced administrative crew with international standards of excellence. Production companies shooting in Malta may avail themselves from a VARIETY OF SERVICES OFFERED BY MFS, ranging from:

1. Organizing the production's required marine shooting and marine special effects in one of our tanks

a. The MFS team discusses usually with the respective producer, director, DoP and 1st AD the script sections referring to the marine           scenes which need to be shot in a controlled environment.

b. Discussions include, amongst others, tank crew and marine equipment requirements, plans for boats or other sets to be set up in the tank(s) and their possible movements during the marine shoot (either via an under water pulley system or on a gimbal), time frames and durations, etc.

c. Thereafter, MFS establishes a first "tank budget". Upon confirmation of all requirements, payment of an initial deposit and an agreed payment schedule for the remainder, MFS will organize and coordinate accordingly.

2. Coordinating and organizing the marine shooting as well as constructions

a. Besides discussing the marine shoot as described above, MFS is supplied, by the production, with reference photos and approximate measurements of the constructions required. MFS will subsequently provide the producer and production designer with a first construction cost estimation and approximate lead times.

b. Once details and plans are received MFS is in a position to supply a detailed construction quote. Upon approval and initial deposit payment, construction works commence.

c. Some productions send the art director and/or production designer to Malta on a regular basis to supervise the constructions, other productions leave constructions works almost entirely in our hands and we submit regular photos of the progress and stay in contact with the art department in case of clarifications and queries. In this case the art director and/or productions designer visit the MFS construction team usually at the beginning of the constructions, halfway through and toward the end.

3. MFS acting as Service Production Company

In addition to coordinating and organizing any of the above listed tasks, any other required special effects, location constructions or solely a location shoot, MFS further offers to act as the Malta service company for the respective production.

a. This usually involves the initial coordination of the shoot, i.e. organizing recces and establishing a Malta budget as well as drawing up the production service agreement (PSA) and the payment schedule.

b. Once the frame work is established, MFS engages a local PM for the production and together with him/her all local freelancers are hired (including - if required - Location Manager and Casting Director). Crew and cast/extras contracts as well as supplier contracts are issued, offices set up, work permits applied for and followed up, payroll set up and local transport, accommodation, location permits, casting sessions, equipment rental, catering etc. is organized - always of course in coordination with the production company.

c. In order to facilitate the accounting for productions, MFS has opened several "production accounts" at Bank of Valletta (BOV) and cheque books for these are available. One of these accounts is then allocated to the respective production.

d. The Malta shoot budget is constantly being updated by the local PM in coordination with MFS and the producer/line producer/PM and the locally hired production accountant is engaged in order to organize prep, shoot and wrap from an accounting point of view (he/she usually works directly with the foreign production accountant).

e. If MFS is engaged as the Malta Production Service Company, the charges are usually as follows:

i. For small productions a 5% fee for all rentals, hires and purchases carried out on behalf of the production company and a payroll fee of between 5% to 10% for all freelancers and extras. (NOTE: there is no service charge fee for MFS employees, tank and construction crew).

ii. For larger productions a flat fee is usually agreed upon.

 
GENERAL NOTES for a MALTA SHOOT

1) Malta VAT refund

a. All invoices issued in Malta for any kind of production services or purchases include the locally applicable 18% VAT (a few services like e.g. accommodation are charged at 5% VAT). However, any foreign production company shooting in Malta will be able to have the full VAT amount refunded.

b. Within EU countries some companies opt to use their own VAT number. The VAT refund would then be organized by the respective production company in their country and channeled via the authorities of the respective EU country (in coordination with the Maltese VAT authority).

c. The other option is to apply for a local VAT number. MFS would be able to assist the production company with this. There is not much paper work involved and it usually takes only a few days to receive the production VAT number for Malta. At the end of the shoot, when all invoices are received, paid and finalized, the Malta accountant fills in the VAT return forms and applies for the refund on behalf of the production company. One has to allow approximately 6 months from filing of VAT forms until the VAT funds are actually paid by the Malta VAT authorities to the respective foreign company.

2) Malta Financial Incentives for the Audiovisual Industry

a. Feature film and television productions, mini-series, animation and documentaries are all eligible for the incentives, provided that they have European cultural content and are at least partially produced in Malta.

b. The incentives are in the form of a cash grant given to eligible productions on the qualifying expenditure incurred in Malta. Up to 22% of the eligible expenditure can be obtained as a cash rebate by a qualifying production company once filming is complete.

c. For further information and details, please visit the website of the Malta Film Commission (MFC) http://www.mfc.com.mt/ or directly the cash rebate page on http://www.mfc.com.mt/page.asp?p=14253&l=1.

3) Malta Crew

a. Key crew is not available locally and would normally have to come from abroad (except local PM, Casting Director and Location Manager), however, any support crew is usually Maltese and can be hired locally. It is important for the production to bear in mind that Malta is a small island and crew availability is limited especially at times when there are two or three productions prepping or shooting in parallel. In such cases, some of the support crew would also need to be brought in from abroad. For further details on locally available crew members and rate guidelines, please contact us.

4) Equipment Rental

a. There are no camera rental houses and labs in Malta, i.e. 35mm and 16mm equipment as well as filmstock (and development) has to come from abroad. Malta has a good choice of basic light and grip equipment which is at times however supplemented by equipment from abroad - depending on production requirements. For further details on locally available equipment and rates, please contact us.