Experience counts

Competition Kristian Widmer, Head of Condor Commercials and
Managing Director Condor, on dreams of Brazil.WW: Could a collaboration with Mixer become an issue for Condor?
Kristian Widmer: Mixer has contacted us
and presented a portfolio from their acquisition perspective. We
are never averse to expanding our network. In the service of our
customers, however, we also see it as our duty to
Basis of all information not only the pros, but also the cons
carefully. A blanket statement such as "in Brazil everything is
better" is therefore somewhat borderline.

WW: Does Condor see foreign competition as a threat?
Kristian Widmer: The
Possibility that Brazil is the production location or filming location Switzerland
dangerous is therefore just as low or high as the
Possibility that South Africa, Hungary, Romania or Dubai will follow Switzerland
could become dangerous. If you are a Swiss producer abroad
knows that people abroad only boil with water.
Anyone who deals with water will realize that the
Quality of Swiss water internationally the longer, the stronger
becomes an issue. That in our seemingly globalized world again and again -
of foreign film companies - to the wonder explained benchmarking from
cost of living index, currency comparison and weather table is one of the
standard homework of every experienced, capable film producer, is
but only a small part of the toolbox of a professional
Advertising film production.

WW: What can Brazil offer?
Kristian Widmer: The
Brazil as a filming location offers a lot of everything. The number of nice people -
some of them very talented - and the number of locations are almost as
high as those of the risks. Just under three weeks ago in Rio, a
German production, all the equipment was stolen. That means
Costs for security. The virtuoso interpretation of Portuguese law
in the compensation of locations and extras, semi-legal money transfers
to countries other than the location of the local production company and
Floating production budgets despite agreed flat-rate deals are
other risks. However, nothing can be generalized: Every
Every commercial has its own individual requirements profile. This includes the
the right director, the right location with the right partner to
The right place at the right time. That place could be Brazil. Or
neither.

WW: What conclusions do you draw under these circumstances?
Kristian Widmer: As
agency, I would recommend the decision for a foreign filming location to a
local and established film production. This brings the
agency has two important advantages: Only a local film production feels
is committed to the local agency in the long term. And only
An established film production is able to demonstrate the consistency of its
recommendation and by assuming responsibility for production
The budget managers on the agency side are also responsible for a foreign shoot.
to a relevant extent from the risk.

Interview: Andreas Panzeri