18
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LMGI COMPASS
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Spring 2022
IN MY CITY: ZAGREB
with the action-packed EuropaCorp-produced fi lm,
American Renegades. TV series have included the
Emmy-winning BBC series
McMafi a, Strikeback and
ITV's spy series
The Ipcress File, a remake of an old
Michael Caine spy thriller that I recently wrapped.
I was the LM on the Hollywood fi lm the
Hitman's
Wife's Bodyguard
which made great use of Zagreb.
In between, there are a wide variety of low- to mid-
budget European fi lm or TV productions like
Heirs
of the Night
and big commercial productions for
international companies like Google, Heinz, Nestle
and Pepsico. National cinematography is funded
through the HAVC (Croatian Audio-Visual Center)
system that also maintains a regular market niche.
Stevie: WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE IN YOUR JOB?
TP:
Yikes, the paperwork! If only common sense
prevailed as the main mantra on set! At times, it can
be challenging hopping from set to offi ce to scout
yet meeting new people and exploring new places
tends to relieve the stress and make this job very
enjoyable.
Stevie: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES TO FILMING
SPECIFICALLY IN ZAGREB OR IN YOUR GENERAL FILMING
TERRITORY?
TP:
Equally red tape and dealing with diffi cult
people. I've also worked as an SLM in Serbia and
Italy, so when I compare the areas, I fi nd that the
bureaucracies are remarkably similar worldwide.
Stevie: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE OR MOST MEMORABLE
FILMING EXPERIENCES?
TP:
Any project big or small, a good team, cooperative
colleagues that you can rely on and when you tick
that "to do" box with satisfaction at the end of the
day.
Stevie: DOES CROATIA OFFER ANY INCENTIVES TO
HOLLYWOOD FILMMAKERS?
Downtown Zagreb
St. Mark's Church