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Valencia has become in recent years one of the largest centers of international audiovisual projects to shoot in Spain. This trend is due, in part, to the new multi-screen system that has led to an increase in the production and consumption of film products.
Valencia, February 15, 2023.- "I would focus on the current panorama of our sector from two events: the first is that if you look back, not so long ago there was a screen in a room and everyone who was there attended to that unique audiovisual product. Today we all have a screen in our hand and we come to see situations in which three people are "attending" to their mobile phones and the television. This is four screens at the same time. Demand has multiplied exponentially".
This is how producer Arturo Fons, director of Fonktown, an audiovisual production company in Spain, a benchmark for international projects, perceives the situation.
In addition, this situation has worsened since the pandemic, as Fons says: "secondly, after two years, people have gotten used to spending even more time in front of the screen. This makes audiovisual demand grow. Therefore that, despite the not so positive consequences that this generates, our sector is growing and generating a lot of work".
This new audiovisual context has fostered the growth of many Spanish audiovisual production companies, such as Fonktown, as well as the selection of Spanish locations that have gained prominence worldwide. As is the case of Valencia, which is one of the most chosen cities to shoot international productions.
In part, all the audiovisual projects that are produced in Valencia are successful thanks to the support of two important organizations in the city: Film Valencia and the Valencia Film Office. Well, both act as platforms that facilitate the organization of filming for professionals and producers in the city of Valencia.
A versatile and economical city
"Those of us who live in Valencia know that it is neither a very small nor a very large city, and with quick access to the main capitals of the country." This is how the director of Fonktown affirms the great potential that Valencia has, since "everything is 15 minutes away and that allows you to be super versatile in a very short time, something that would be impossible in locations like Barcelona or Madrid".
Thus, Valencia also stands out for its great economic and functional affordability. "It is cheaper to produce and currently it is free to cut a street to film, while in other cities it can cost you up to 600 euros," says Fons.
Many locations in a small radius
Another feature that characterizes Valencia as an ideal city for shooting international productions is its wide range of varied and adaptable locations for any type of audiovisual project. Although without a doubt, as Arturo Fons affirms, "the City of Arts and Sciences is the most significant place in the Valencian Community when it comes to attracting companies from other parts of the world".
In the case of Fonktown, it has carried out filming with the Suzuki, Kia and Skoda brands and "the three times the client has been delighted because they have obtained what they wanted".
"If the brand wants to show that the car is versatile and show that it can drive in different places, you can drive in the City of Arts and Sciences for design issues, in the historic center to show that it can drive through small streets, on mountain roads in the Sierra Calderona or the Cortes de Pallás area, and go to Benidorm to shoot on a road by the sea".
Fashion brands have also been one of the sectors that have chosen Valencia as the ideal setting for their audiovisual project. As the director of Fonktown tells us: "with Adidas we filmed a lot in the Valencia river, which is a multi-sport center within the city. It has a green park and buildings in the background, and it looks very good on a visual level. Calpe also has the Red Wall building, which when I show it and people discover that it is here, they like it very much and are delighted".
An attractive gastronomy of audiovisual productions
It should be noted that Valencia has one of the most significant cuisines in the world, which is very attractive for filming cooking shows. "The Valencian community has the paella that is known worldwide, it has the lagoon that is also a unique place and a super changing landscape depending on the season in which you are."
In addition, to carry out filming, especially for this type in which various aspects such as locations or restoration must be managed, international production companies resort to hiring a fixer in Spain, or more specifically a fixer in Valencia. This is how Arturo explains it: "A fixer is a fundamental profile during an international production, since he is in charge of organizing and managing everything necessary to carry out the audiovisual project, as well as permits, equipment rental, transport and accommodation".
For the management of all these aspects, once again, Valencia is positioned as one of the best Spanish cities to shoot. Its wide range of hotels and locations, good weather, and transport system, among other things, mean that it receives international production companies from all over the world throughout the year.
Contact
Contact name: Arturo Fons
Contact description: Producer and Director of Fonktown
Contact telephone number: 34 687 98 76 94
